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Uma TH, Bedada HG. Assessment of the proportion and the factors associated with partner and family-based index case HIV testing in Woliso Town, Oromia, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. AIDS Care 2023; 35:1322-1328. [PMID: 37232128 PMCID: PMC10624120 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2216007] [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: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Around 40% of estimated people with HIV infection remain undiagnosed globally. In Ethiopia, only 72% of people with HIV know their status. This study aims to assess the proportion and the factors associated with partner and family-based index case HIV testing in Woliso Town. METHODS A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 346 people currently on ART. Data were entered into Epi Info™ 7.2.3.1 and analyzed using SPSS 21. Significance of odds ratios was determined with 95% CI and p < 0.05. RESULTS Among 345 study participants, 333 (96.5%) with 95% CI (94.5-98.3) index cases have families tested for HIV. The odds of HIV testing were 7.22 times higher among those who disclosed their HIV status (AOR = 7.22 95% CI: 1.45, 35.82) compared to those who did not disclose. Those who stayed <12 months on ARTwere 87% less likely to have tested families (AOR = 0.13 95% CI: 0.03, 0.63) compared to those who stayed ≥12 months on ART. CONCLUSION Higher proportions of index cases have tested families. Partner and family-based index case HIV testing has association with HIV status disclosure and duration the index cases stayed on ART. The platform of partner and family-based index case HIV testing should be sustained through strengthening disclosure counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teka Haile Uma
- Department of HIV Control and Prevention, Woliso Town Health Office, Oromia, Ethiopia
| | - Hanna Gulema Bedada
- Department of Public Health, Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Hampanda KM, Pelowich K, Freeborn K, Graybill LA, Mutale W, Jones KR, Saidi F, Kumwenda A, Kasaro M, Rosenberg NE, Chi BH. Strategies to increase couples HIV testing and counselling in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26075. [PMID: 36929284 PMCID: PMC10020817 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Couple HIV testing and counselling (CHTC) is associated with measurable benefits for HIV prevention and treatment. However, the uptake remains limited in much of sub-Saharan Africa, despite an expanded range of strategies designed to promote access. METHODS Following PRIMSA guidelines, we conducted a systematic review to characterize CHTC uptake strategies. Five databases were searched. Full-text articles were included if they were: conducted in sub-Saharan Africa during the study period (1980-2019), targeted heterosexual couples, reported at least one strategy to promote CHTC and provided a quantifiable measure of CHTC uptake. After the initial and full-text screening, key features of the studies were abstracted and synthesized. RESULTS Of the 6188 unique records found in our search, 365 underwent full-text review with 29 distinct studies included and synthesized. Most studies recruited couples through antenatal care (n = 11) or community venues (n = 8) and used provider-based HIV testing (n = 25). The primary demand creation strategies included home-based CHTC (n = 7); integration of CHTC into clinical settings (n = 4); distribution of HIV self-testing kits (n = 4); verbal or written invitations (n = 4); community recruiters (n = 3); partner tracing (n = 2); relationship counselling (n = 2); financial incentives (n = 1); group education with CHTC coupons (n = 1); and HIV testing at other community venues (n = 1). CHTC uptake ranged from negligible to nearly universal. DISCUSSION We thematically categorized a diverse range of strategies with varying levels of intensity and resources used across sub-Saharan Africa to promote CHTC. Offering CHTC within couples' homes was the most common approach, followed by the integration of CHTC into clinical settings. Due to heterogeneity in study characteristics, we were unable to compare the effectiveness across studies, but several trends were observed, including the high prevalence of CHTC promotion strategies in antenatal settings and the promising effects of home-based CHTC, distribution of HIV self-tests and integration of CHTC into routine health services. Since 2019, an updated literature search found that combining partner notification and secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits may be an additionally effective CHTC strategy. CONCLUSIONS There are many effective, feasible and scalable approaches to promote CHTC that should be considered by national programmes according to local needs, cultural context and available resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M. Hampanda
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
- Center for Global HealthUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Krysta Pelowich
- Center for Global HealthUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Kellie Freeborn
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Lauren A. Graybill
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Wilbroad Mutale
- Department of Health PolicySchool of Public HealthUniversity of ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Katelyn R. Jones
- Department of Health BehaviorGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Andrew Kumwenda
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Margaret Kasaro
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- UNC Global Projects ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Nora E. Rosenberg
- Department of Health BehaviorGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Benjamin H. Chi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySchool of MedicineUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyGillings School of Global Public HealthUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillNorth CarolinaUSA
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Kefale A, Daka K, Abebe A, Haile D, Paulos K, Sherfa A, Addis A, Gunta M, Ayza A, Wolde J. Prevalence of HIV seropositive status and associated factors among family members of index cases of antiretroviral clinical attendants in Sodo Town, Southern Ethiopia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280571. [PMID: 36780456 PMCID: PMC9924999 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus is primarily transmitted through sexual contact with an infected partner and babies born to mothers infected with the virus. Partners of people living with HIV and children whose parents have HIV are at higher risk of contracting HIV unless they take preventive measures. This study aimed at identifying prevalence and determinants of HIV infection among family members of index cases on antiretroviral treatment (ART). METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 623 randomly selected family members of HIV index cases in Sodo Town from February to June 2021. A pre-tested structural questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify variables independently associated with the outcome variable. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to show the strength of association, and a P-value 0.05 was used as a cut-off point to determine the level of statistical significance of point estimate. RESULTS This study revealed that 31.5% (95%CI: 27.6-35.2%) of family members of index cases were HIV seropositive. In subgroup analysis, this study also revealed that 11.1% (95%CI 8.4-14.5%) of biological children and 69.6% (95%CI 63.1-75.6%) of spousal partners of index cases were HIV seropositive. Immediate ART initiation of index cases (AOR = 0.148, 95%CI: 0.067-0.325), being bedridden or ambulatory functional status at enrollment (AOR = 7.71, 95%CI: 3.5-17), and baseline CD4 level of 350 cells/ml (AOR = 8.06, 95%CI: 1.8-36) were statistically significant with the outcome variable among biological children. Among spousal partners, STI history or symptoms (AOR = 5.7, 95%CI: 1.86-17.5), early disclosure (AOR = 0.062, 95%CI: 0.024-0.159), immediate ART initiation (AOR = 0.172, 95%CI: 0.044-0.675), and duration of infection (AOR = 5.09, 95%CI: 1.8-14.4) were statistically associated with the outcome variable. CONCLUSION As evidenced by our data, the risk of HIV among family members of index cases is high. Interventions like immediate ART initiation, early disclosure, screening, and early treatment of STIs for minimizing HIV transmission might be given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemayehu Kefale
- Wolaita Zone Health Department, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
- * E-mail: (AK); (DH)
| | - Kassa Daka
- School of Public Health, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Amene Abebe
- School of Public Health, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Haile
- School of Public Health, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
- * E-mail: (AK); (DH)
| | - Kebreab Paulos
- School of Public Health, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Abdulbasit Sherfa
- Department of Public Health, Werabe University, Werabe, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Animut Addis
- Department of Disease Prevention and Control Core Process, ICAP, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Gunta
- Wolaita Zone Health Department, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Asaminew Ayza
- Wolaita Zone Health Department, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
| | - Jegnaw Wolde
- Wolaita Zone Health Department, Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia
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Pollard R, Enugu A, Sriudomporn S, Bell J, Ghosh SC, Arumugam V, Mugundu P, Singh A, McFall AM, Mehta SH, Patenaude BN, Solomon SS. COVID-19 impact on index testing services and programmatic cost in 5 high HIV prevalence Indian districts. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:918. [PMID: 36482363 PMCID: PMC9733361 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07912-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Restrictions to curb the first wave of COVID-19 in India resulted in a decline in facility-based HIV testing rates, likely contributing to increased HIV transmission and disease progression. The programmatic and economic impact of COVID-19 on index testing, a standardized contact tracing strategy, remains unknown. METHODS Retrospective programmatic and costing data were analyzed under a US government-supported program to assess the pandemic's impact on the programmatic outcomes and cost of index testing implemented in two Indian states (Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh). We compared index testing continuum outcomes during lockdown (April-June 2020) and post-lockdown (July-Sept 2020) relative to pre-lockdown (January-March 2020) by estimating adjusted rate ratios (aRRs) using negative binomial regression. Startup and recurrent programmatic costs were estimated across geographies using a micro-costing approach. Per unit costs were calculated for each index testing continuum outcome. RESULTS Pre-lockdown, 2431 index clients were offered services, 3858 contacts were elicited, 3191 contacts completed HIV testing, 858 contacts tested positive, and 695 contacts initiated ART. Compared to pre-lockdown, the number of contacts elicited decreased during lockdown (aRR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.11-0.16) and post-lockdown (aRR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.43-0.56); and the total contacts newly diagnosed with HIV also decreased during lockdown (aRR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.18-0.26) and post-lockdown (aRR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.45-0.59). HIV positivity increased from 27% pre-lockdown to 40% during lockdown and decreased to 26% post-lockdown. Further, ART initiation improved from 81% pre-lockdown to 88% during lockdown and post-lockdown. The overall cost to operate index testing was $193,457 pre-lockdown and decreased during lockdown to $132,177 (32%) and $126,155 (35%) post-lockdown. Post-lockdown unit cost of case identification rose in facility sites ($372) compared to pre-lockdown ($205), however it decreased in community-based sites from pre-lockdown ($277) to post-lockdown ($166). CONCLUSIONS There was a dramatic decline in the number of index testing clients in the wake of COVID-19 restrictions that resulted in higher unit costs to deliver services; yet, improved linkage to ART suggests that decongesting centres could improve efficiency. Training index testing staff to provide support across services including non-facility-based HIV testing mechanisms (i.e., telemedicine, HIV self-testing, community-based approaches) may help optimize resources during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose Pollard
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Ajay Enugu
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Salin Sriudomporn
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 415 N Washington St, Baltimore, MD 21231 USA
| | - Jade Bell
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Subash Chandra Ghosh
- grid.433847.f0000 0000 9555 1294Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), 58 Harrington Road, Chetput, Chennai, 600031 India
| | - Visvanathan Arumugam
- grid.433847.f0000 0000 9555 1294Y.R. Gaitonde Centre for AIDS Research and Education (YRG CARE), 58 Harrington Road, Chetput, Chennai, 600031 India
| | - Parthasarathy Mugundu
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Aditya Singh
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Allison M. McFall
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Bryan N. Patenaude
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Sunil S. Solomon
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1830 E. Monument St, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
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Joseph Davey DL, Wall KM, Naidoo N, Naidoo D, Xaba G, Serao C, Malone T, Dovel K. HIV testing and linkage to ART following secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits to male partners of women living with HIV: a pilot randomized control trial in Mpumalanga, South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25937. [PMID: 35690880 PMCID: PMC9188623 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South African men are underrepresented in HIV testing and treatment services. Secondary distribution of oral HIV self-test (HIVST) kits by women living with HIV (WLHIV) to their male partners (i.e. index partner HIVST) may increase men's testing and treatment but has been understudied. METHODS Between March and July 2021, we evaluated the effectiveness of index partner HIVST versus the standard of care (SOC) (invitations for men's facility-based testing) on men's testing in a 1:1 randomized control trial. Eligibility criteria included: WLHIV; ≥18 years of age; attending one of four high-density rural clinics; have a working cell phone; and self-reported having a primary male partner of unknown serostatus. The primary outcome was the proportion of WLHIV reporting that her partner tested for HIV within 3 months after enrolment. RESULTS We enrolled 180 WLHIV and 176 completed an endline survey (mean age = 35 years, 15% pregnant, 47% unmarried or non-cohabiting). In the HIVST arm, 78% of male partners were reported to have tested for HIV versus 55% in SOC (RR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.14-1.76). In the HIVST arm, nine men were reactive with HIVST (14% positivity), six were confirmed HIV positive with standard testing (67%) and all of those started antiretroviral therapy (ART), and four HIV-negative men started pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (5%). In SOC, six men were diagnosed with HIV (12% positivity), 100% started ART and seven HIV-negative men started PrEP (16%). One case of verbal intimate partner violence was reported in the HIVST arm. CONCLUSIONS Secondary distribution of HIVST to partners of WLHIV was acceptable and effective for improving HIV testing among men in rural South Africa in our pilot study. Interventions are needed to link reactive HIVST users to confirmatory testing and ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dvora L Joseph Davey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kristin M Wall
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Gugu Xaba
- BroadReach Healthcare, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Claire Serao
- BroadReach Healthcare, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Todd Malone
- BroadReach Healthcare, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Remera E, Nsanzimana S, Chammartin F, Semakula M, Rwibasira GN, Malamba SS, Riedel DJ, Tuyishime E, Condo JU, Ndimubanzi P, Sangwayire B, Forrest JI, Cantoreggi SL, Mills EJ, Bucher HC. Brief Report: Active HIV Case Finding in the City of Kigali, Rwanda: Assessment of Voluntary Assisted Partner Notification Modalities to Detect Undiagnosed HIV Infections. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 89:423-427. [PMID: 35202049 PMCID: PMC8860213 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Voluntary assisted partner notification (VAPN) services that use contract, provider, or dual referral modalities may be efficient to identify individuals with undiagnosed HIV infection. We aimed to assess the relative effectiveness of VAPN modalities in identifying undiagnosed HIV infections. SETTING VAPN was piloted in 23 health facilities in Kigali, Rwanda. METHODS We identified individuals with a new HIV diagnosis before antiretroviral therapy initiation or individuals on antiretroviral therapy (index cases), who reported having had sexual partners with unknown HIV status, to assess the association between referral modalities and the odds of identifying HIV-positive partners using a Bayesian hierarchical logistic regression model. We adjusted our model for important factors identified through a Bayesian variable selection. RESULTS Between October 2018 and December 2019, 6336 index cases were recruited, leading to the testing of 7690 partners. HIV positivity rate was 7.1% (546/7690). We found no association between the different referral modalities and the odds of identifying HIV-positive partners. Notified partners of male individuals (adjusted odds ratio 1.84; 95% credible interval: 1.50 to 2.28) and index cases with a new HIV diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio 1.82; 95% credible interval: 1.45 to 2.30) were more likely to be infected with HIV. CONCLUSION All 3 VAPN modalities were comparable in identifying partners with HIV. Male individuals and newly diagnosed index cases were more likely to have partners with HIV. HIV-positive yield from index testing was higher than the national average and should be scaled up to reach the first UNAIDS-95 target by 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Remera
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel- Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabin Nsanzimana
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Frédérique Chammartin
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel- Switzerland
| | - Muhammed Semakula
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
- I-BioStat, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Gallican N. Rwibasira
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
| | | | - David J. Riedel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Elysee Tuyishime
- African Center of Excellence in Data Science, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jeanine U. Condo
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
| | | | - Beata Sangwayire
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Jamie I. Forrest
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; and
| | - Sara L. Cantoreggi
- Institute of HIV Disease Prevention and Control, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Kigali, Rwanda
- University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel- Switzerland
| | - Edward J. Mills
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heiner C. Bucher
- Basel Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Faculty of Science, Basel- Switzerland
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Daniels J, Peters RPH, Medina-Marino A, Bongo C, Stephenson R. A skills-based sero-status HIV disclosure intervention for sexual minority men in South Africa: A protocol for intervention adaptation and pilot randomized controlled trial (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e36845. [PMID: 35576574 PMCID: PMC9152729 DOI: 10.2196/36845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) living with HIV have low antiretroviral treatment adherence in South Africa due to limited skills in managing disclosure and prevention behaviors with sexual and romantic partners. As a result, there is a high HIV transmission risk within HIV-discordant partnerships, but an existing intervention may address these outcomes, if adapted effectively. Healthy Relationships (HR) is a behavioral intervention that was originally delivered in groups and in person over 5 sessions to develop coping skills for managing HIV-related stress and sexually risky situations, enhance decision-making skills for HIV disclosure to partners, and establish and maintain safer sex practices with partners. HR effectively improves prevention behaviors but has yet to be tailored to a non-US context. Objective We aim to adapt HR into a new culturally grounded intervention entitled Speaking Out & Allying Relationships for GBMSM and then assess its feasibility in Eastern Cape, South Africa. Methods The study will have 2 aims. For aim 1—adaptation—we will use a human-centered design approach. Initial intervention tailoring will involve integrating Undetectable=Untransmittable and pre-exposure prophylaxis education, developing intervention content for a videoconference format, and designing role-plays and movies for skill building based on preliminary data. Afterward, interviews and surveys will be administered to GBMSM to assess intervention preferences, and a focus group will be conducted with health care providers and information technology experts to assess the intervention’s design. Finally, a usability test will be performed to determine functionality and content understanding. Participants will be GBMSM living with HIV (n=15) who are in a relationship and health care providers and information technology (n=7) experts working in HIV care and programming with this population. For aim 2, we will examine the feasibility of the adapted intervention by using a pilot randomized control design. There will be 60 individuals per arm. Feasibility surveys and interviews will be conducted with the intervention arm, and behavioral and biomedical assessments for relationship and treatment adherence outcomes will be collected for both arms. All participants will be GBMSM living with HIV who are in a relationship with an HIV-negative or unknown status partner. Results Intervention adaptation began in August 2021. Initial tailoring and the refining of GBMSM intervention preferences were completed in December 2021. Usability and feasibility assessments are due to be completed by March 2022 and February 2024, respectively. Conclusions GBMSM need efficacious interventions that tackle partnership dynamics, HIV prevention, and treatment outcomes for antiretroviral treatment adherence and viral suppression in South Africa. Harnessing everyday technology use for social networking (eg, videoconferences), Undetectable=Untransmittable education, and pre-exposure prophylaxis to update an existing intervention for South African GBMSM has the potential to strengthen relationship communication about HIV treatment and prevention and, in turn, improve outcomes. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/36845
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Daniels
- Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Remco P H Peters
- Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa
- University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Medina-Marino
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, University of Cape Town, East London, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Cikizwa Bongo
- Foundation for Professional Development, East London, South Africa
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Wegu Y, Sileshi T, Melis T. Assessment of Index Case Family Testing Among Adults Attending Art Clinic at Kule Refugee Camp, Southwest Ethiopia: 2021. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2022; 14:13-21. [PMID: 35087288 PMCID: PMC8789223 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s344100] [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: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immune virus testing and counseling is the gateway to accessing anti-retro viral treatment. As a priority population group, families of index clients have been largely neglected due to a number of different factors. Testing sexual partners and children of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive persons (index case finding) is a promising way of identifying HIV-positive persons unaware of their HIV status. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of index case family testing and its associated factors among adults attending an ART clinic at Kule Refugee Camp, southwestern Ethiopia, 2021. METHODS AND MATERIALS An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Kule Refugee Camp, Gambela region. A total of 348 adult ART clinic attendants were selected by using systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a pre-tested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-Data 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 23. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with index case family testing. The strength of association was assessed by adjusted odds ratio, and statistical significance was declared at a p-value <0.05 and 95% CI. RESULTS The proportion of index case family testing was 49.%. Educational level: primary level (AOR=2.4, 95% CI=1.24-4.42), secondary level and above (AOR=2.6, 95% CI=1.20-4.70), ART adherence (AOR=6, 95% CI=2.8-14.1), years on ART (AOR=2, 95% CI=1.10-3.20), discussion about HIV testing (AOR=3.6, 95% CI=1.30-10.30), disclosure status (AOR 6, 95% CI=2.21-16.94), and being tested through voluntary counseling and testing (AOR=3.0, 95% CI1.70-5.70) were factors significantly associated with index case family HIV testing. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS This study revealed that the proportion of index case family HIV testing in Kule Refugee Camp was 49%. Educational status, adherence status, disclosure status, years on ART, and voluntary counseling and testing were determinant factors. Health professionals should advise index cases to adhere to ART drugs, to disclose their HIV status to their families, and should provide counseling based on guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohannes Wegu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Metu University, Metu, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Sileshi
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Metu University, Metu, Ethiopia
| | - Tamirat Melis
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Wolkite University, Wolkite, Ethiopia
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Jahun I, Dirlikov E, Odafe S, Yakubu A, Boyd AT, Bachanas P, Nzelu C, Aliyu G, Ellerbrock T, Swaminathan M. Ensuring Optimal Community HIV Testing Services in Nigeria Using an Enhanced Community Case-Finding Package (ECCP), October 2019-March 2020: Acceleration to HIV Epidemic Control. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2021; 13:839-850. [PMID: 34471388 PMCID: PMC8403567 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s316480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed Nigeria’s progress toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets: 47% of HIV-positive individuals knew their status; of these, 96% were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART); and of these, 81% were virally suppressed. To improve identification of HIV-positive individuals, Nigeria developed an Enhanced Community Case-Finding Package (ECCP). We describe ECCP implementation in nine states and assess its effect. Methods ECCP included four core strategies (small area estimation [SAE] of people living with HIV [PLHIV], map of HIV-positive patients by residence, HIV risk-screening tool [HRST], and index testing [IT]) and four supportive strategies (alternative healthcare outlets, performance-based incentives for field testers, Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes, and interactive dashboards). ECCP was deployed in nine of 10 states prioritized for ART scale-up. Weekly program data (October 2019–March 2020) were tracked and analyzed. Results Of the total 774 LGAs in Nigeria, using SAE, 103 (13.3%) high-burden LGAs were identified, in which 2605 (28.0%) out of 9,294 hotspots were prioritized by mapping newly identified PLHIV by residential addresses. Over 22 weeks, among 882,449 individuals screened using HRST, 723,993 (82.0%) were eligible and tested for HIV (state range, 43.7–90.4%), out of which 20,616 were positive. Through IT, an additional 3,724 PLHIV were identified. In total, 24,340 PLHIV were identified and 97.4% were linked to life-saving antiretroviral therapy. The number of newly identified PLHIV increased 17-fold over 22 weeks (week 1: 89; week 22: 1,632). Overall mean HIV positivity rate by state was 3.3% (range, 1.8–6.4%). Conclusion Using ECCP in nine states in Nigeria increased the number of PLHIV in the community who knew their status, allowing them to access life-saving care and decreasing the risk of HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Jahun
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health - Nigeria, Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Emilio Dirlikov
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Solomon Odafe
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health - Nigeria, Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Aminu Yakubu
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health - Nigeria, Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Andrew T Boyd
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pamela Bachanas
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Gambo Aliyu
- National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
| | - Tedd Ellerbrock
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mahesh Swaminathan
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Global HIV and TB, Center for Global Health - Nigeria, Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
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Mwango LK, Stafford KA, Blanco NC, Lavoie M, Mujansi M, Nyirongo N, Tembo K, Sakala H, Chipukuma J, Phiri B, Nzangwa C, Mwandila S, Nkwemu KC, Saadani A, Mwila A, Herce ME, Claassen CW. Index and targeted community-based testing to optimize HIV case finding and ART linkage among men in Zambia. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23 Suppl 2:e25520. [PMID: 32589360 PMCID: PMC7319128 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current healthcare systems fail to provide adequate HIV services to men. In Zambia, 25% of adult men living with HIV were unaware of their HIV status in 2018, and 12% of those who were unaware of their HIV statu were not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to pervasive barriers to HIV testing services (HTS) and linkage to ART. To identify men and key and priority populations living with HIV in Zambia, and link them to care and treatment, we implemented the Community Impact to Reach Key and Underserved Individuals for Treatment and Support (CIRKUITS) project. We present HTS and ART linkage results from the first year of CIRKUITS. METHODS CIRKUITS aimed to reach beneficiaries by training, mentoring, and deploying community health workers to provide index testing services and targeted community HTS. Community leaders and workplace supervisors were engaged to enable workplace HTS for men. To evaluate the effects of these interventions, we collected age- and sex-disaggregated routinely collected programme data for the first 12 months of the project (October 2018 to September 2019) across 37 CIRKUITS-supported facilities in three provinces. We performed descriptive statistics and estimated index cascades for indicators of interest, and used Chi square tests to compare indicators by age, sex, and district strata. RESULTS Over 12 months, CIRKUITS tested 38,255 persons for HIV, identifying 10,974 (29%) new people living with HIV, of whom 10,239 (93%) were linked to ART. Among men, CIRKUITS tested 18,336 clients and identified 4458 (24%) as HIV positive, linked 4132 (93%) to ART. Men who tested HIV negative were referred to preventative services. Of the men found HIV positive, and 13.0% were aged 15 to 24 years, 60.3% were aged 25 to 39, 20.9% were aged 40 to 49 and 5.8% were ≥50 years old. Index testing services identified 2186 (49%) of HIV-positive men, with a positivity yield of 40% and linkage of 88%. Targeted community testing modalities accounted for 2272 (51%) of HIV-positive men identified, with positivity yield of 17% and linkage of 97%. CONCLUSIONS Index testing and targeted community-based HTS are effective strategies to identify men living with HIV in Zambia. Index testing results in higher yield, but lower linkage and fewer absolute men identified compared to targeted community-based HTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linah K Mwango
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Kristen A Stafford
- Center for International Health, Education, and BiosecurityUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Institute of Human VirologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of Epidemiology and Public HealthUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Natalia C Blanco
- Center for International Health, Education, and BiosecurityUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Institute of Human VirologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Marie‐Claude Lavoie
- Center for International Health, Education, and BiosecurityUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Institute of Human VirologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Morley Mujansi
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Nasho Nyirongo
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Kalima Tembo
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Henry Sakala
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | | | - Beauty Phiri
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Carol Nzangwa
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Susan Mwandila
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | | | - Ahmed Saadani
- U.S. Center for Disease Control and PreventionLusakaZambia
| | - Annie Mwila
- U.S. Center for Disease Control and PreventionLusakaZambia
| | - Michael E Herce
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious DiseasesUniversity of North Carolina School of MedicineChapel HillNCUSA
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)LusakaZambia
| | - Cassidy W Claassen
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation ZambiaLusakaZambia
- Center for International Health, Education, and BiosecurityUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Institute of Human VirologyUniversity of Maryland School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
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