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Mungo C, Adewumi K, Ellis G, Rop M, Adoyo E, Zou Y, Rahangdale L. Men's perceptions and perceived acceptability of their female partner's use of self-administered intravaginal therapies for treatment of cervical precancer in Kenya. Ecancermedicalscience 2024; 18:1719. [PMID: 39021542 PMCID: PMC11254395 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2024.1719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer continues to be a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite increasing access to screening, access to precancer treatment remains a significant challenge in LMICs, highlighting a need for innovative, accessible and resource-appropriate treatment approaches, including self-administered therapies. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among men aged 25-65 with a current female partner in Kisumu County, Kenya. Participants were sequentially recruited and surveyed to evaluate their understanding of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer, their views on screening and treatment and their attitudes toward self-administered therapies. Focus group discussions (FGDs) with a subset of the survey participants further explored their treatment preferences and perceptions. Results Two hundred fourteen men participated in the survey, and 39 men participated in FGDs. The median age was 39 years, and 51% had a primary school education or less. Most (96%) were in a committed relationship, and 74% earned $10 or less daily. There was strong support for self-administered topical therapies, with 98% willing to support their partners using such treatments if available. Additionally, most participants were open to supporting necessary abstinence or condom use, though 76% believed their partners might hesitate to request condom use. When given an option, most preferred their partner to self-administer such therapies at home compared to provider administration at a health facility, citing convenience, cost-effectiveness and privacy. Preferences varied between two potential therapies, 5-Fluorouracil and Artesunate, based on their administration frequency, duration and abstinence requirements. Qualitative findings largely supported the quantitative analysis. Conclusion The study demonstrates strong support for self-administered topical therapies for cervical precancer among Kenyan men. Additional research on acceptability, feasibility and efficacy in different LMICs could pave the way for these therapies to help bridge current cervical precancer treatment gaps in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chemtai Mungo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Konyin Adewumi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Grace Ellis
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mercy Rop
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Yating Zou
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lisa Rahangdale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Mungo C, Adewumi K, Ellis G, Rop M, Adoyo E, Zou Y, Rahangdale L. Men's perceptions and perceived acceptability of their female partner's use of self-administered intravaginal therapies for treatment of cervical precancer in Kenya. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.06.24302397. [PMID: 38370772 PMCID: PMC10871376 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.06.24302397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Background Cervical cancer continues to be a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite increasing access to screening, access to precancer treatment remains a significant challenge in LMICs, highlighting a need for innovative, accessible, and resource-appropriate treatment approaches, including self-administered therapies. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among men aged 25-65 with a current female partner in Kisumu County, Kenya. Participants were sequentially recruited and surveyed to evaluate their understanding of HPV and cervical cancer, their views on screening and treatment, and their attitudes toward self-administered therapies. Focus group discussions with a subset of the survey participants further explored their treatment preferences and perceptions. Results Two hundred fourteen men participated in the survey, and 39 men participated in focus group discussions. The median age was 39 years, and 51% had a primary school education or less. Most (96%) were in a committed relationship, and 74% earned $10 or less daily. There was strong support for self-administered topical therapies, with 98% willing to support their partners using such treatments if available. Additionally, most participants were open to supporting necessary abstinence or condom use, though 76% believed their partners might hesitate to request condom use. When given an option, most preferred their partner to self-administer such therapies at home compared to provider administration at a health facility, citing convenience, cost-effectiveness, and privacy. Preferences varied between two potential therapies, 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) and Artesunate, based on their administration frequency, duration, and abstinence requirements. Qualitative findings largely supported the quantitative analysis. Conclusions The study demonstrates strong support for self-administered topical therapies for cervical precancer among Kenyan men. Additional research on acceptability, feasibility, and efficacy in different LMICs could pave the way for these therapies to help bridge current cervical precancer treatment gaps in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chemtai Mungo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Konyin Adewumi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Grace Ellis
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mercy Rop
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Yating Zou
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Lisa Rahangdale
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Bergam S, Harrison AD, Benghu N, Khumalo S, Tesfay N, Exner T, Miller L, Dolezal C, Hanass-Hancock J, Hoffman S. Women's Perceptions of HIV- and Sexuality-Related Stigma in Relation to PrEP: Qualitative Findings from the Masibambane Study, Durban, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2881-2890. [PMID: 35218452 PMCID: PMC9378426 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03632-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers effective HIV prevention. In South Africa, PrEP is publicly available, but use among young women remains low. We explored young women's perceptions of PrEP to inform a gender-focused intervention to promote PrEP uptake. Six focus group discussions and eight in-depth interviews exploring perceptions of PrEP were conducted with forty-six women not using PrEP, ages 18-25, from central Durban. Data were thematically analyzed using a team-based consensus approach. The study was conducted among likely PrEP users: women were highly-educated, with 84.8% enrolled in post-secondary education. Qualitative data revealed intersecting social stigmas related to HIV and women's sexuality. Women feared that daily PrEP pills would be confused with anti-retroviral treatment, creating vulnerability to misplaced HIV stigma. Women also anticipated that taking PrEP could expose them to assumptions of promiscuity from the community. To address these anticipated community-level reactions, women suggested community-facing interventions to reduce the burden on young women considering PrEP. Concerns around PrEP use in this group of urban, educated women reflects layered stigmas that may inhibit future PrEP use. Stigma-reducing strategies, such as media campaigns and educational interventions directed at communities who could benefit from PrEP, should re-frame PrEP as an empowering and responsible choice for young women.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bergam
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Nelson Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu Natal, Umbilo, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
| | - A D Harrison
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - N Benghu
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - S Khumalo
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - N Tesfay
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - T Exner
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, NYS Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - L Miller
- ICAP, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Dolezal
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, NYS Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Hanass-Hancock
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - S Hoffman
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, NYS Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Palmeira-de-Oliveira R, Oliveira AS, Rolo J, Tomás M, Palmeira-de-Oliveira A, Simões S, Martinez-de-Oliveira J. Women's preferences and acceptance for different drug delivery routes and products. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 182:114133. [PMID: 35104506 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
To use or not to use, that is the first decision to take regarding a drug product. This mandatory step for adherence dictates product efficacy. The determinants for such decision do not only rely on the priority of the therapeutic or preventive strategy, but are related to a complex network of perceptions, preferences, personal and cultural backgrounds, and results from previous experiences. Women's preferences for dosage forms and even for drug delivery routes have been mainly studied in the fields of contraception and HIV prevention (and their related multipurpose approaches). Much less attention has been devoted to other therapeutic or preventive strategies. In a time when patient-centred approaches and shared decisions are increasingly valued, considering women's preferences and their main determinants is essential for product development and selection. Such products will be more likely to be chosen and used as intended, increasing efficacy, and reducing the overall costs related with these treatments. This knowledge shall be integrated in early stages of product development. This article reviews the state of the art related with women's preferences and acceptance for different dosage forms and drug delivery routes involved in women's health. The methodologies used for collecting these data and their major drawbacks are discussed. Results obtained from acceptability studies and the main determinants for selection of preventive and treatment drug products are discussed as tools for new developments in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal; Labfit-HPRD Health Products Research and Development, Lda, Edifício UBIMEDICAL Estrada Municipal 506, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal.
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Joana Rolo
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Mariana Tomás
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana Palmeira-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal; Labfit-HPRD Health Products Research and Development, Lda, Edifício UBIMEDICAL Estrada Municipal 506, 6200-284 Covilhã, Portugal; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Simões
- CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Martinez-de-Oliveira
- CICS-UBI Health Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Beira Interior Av. Infante D. Henrique, Covilhã, Portugal
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Friedland BA, Mathur S, Haddad LB. The Promise of the Dual Prevention Pill: A Framework for Development and Introduction. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 3. [PMID: 34318291 PMCID: PMC8312733 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.682689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Women of reproductive age need multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) products to address two overlapping health risks: unintended pregnancy and HIV. Currently, condoms are the only available MPT, however male condoms are not within the control of a woman, and the use of female condoms has been limited by low acceptability and cost. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective for HIV prevention, yet uptake and adherence among women have been low to date. Women globally need more options for HIV and pregnancy prevention. Several MPTs for simultaneous HIV and pregnancy prevention are in various stages of development and clinical testing, although most are many years away from market launch. A dual prevention pill (DPP), a daily oral pill combining oral contraceptives and PrEP, both of which are licensed, approved products in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), is likely to be the fastest route to getting an MPT product into the hands of women. The DPP is one option that could enhance method choice, particularly for women who are already using oral contraceptives. By leveraging the oral contraceptive market and reaching women currently using condoms or with an unmet need for contraception, the DPP has the potential to increase the uptake of PrEP. The successful rollout of the DPP will require careful consideration of user-, provider-, and product-centered factors during product development and introduction. Early attention to these interrelated factors can help ensure that the DPP has the ideal characteristics for maximum product acceptability, that effective and quality services are designed and implemented, and that users can make informed choices, demand the product, and use it effectively. The proposed framework outlines key considerations for the effective development and introduction of the DPP, which could also facilitate integration models for future MPTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A Friedland
- Population Council, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sanyukta Mathur
- Population Council, HIV and AIDS Program, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Lisa B Haddad
- Population Council, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, NY, United States
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Miller L, Morar N, Kapiga S, Ramjee G, Hayes R. Women design their own vaginal microbicide trial: Suggestions on how to improve adherence from former participants of HIV prevention trials. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0244652. [PMID: 33411782 PMCID: PMC7790400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Low adherence in vaginal microbicide clinical trials for HIV prevention has impeded interpretation of trial results and hindered evaluation of potentially efficacious HIV prevention gels. Understanding the underlying reasons why women join trials and their barriers to product use can support identification of ways to improve adherence and its reporting. Eight focus group discussion workshops were conducted with 46 former microbicide trial participants in Durban, South Africa and Mwanza, Tanzania. Participants provided feedback on why women join trials, the barriers to using study gel and reporting adherence accurately, and how clinical trial design can be improved to support better adherence and its reporting. Women join microbicide trials for a number of important reasons such as healthcare and financial reimbursement. Fear of adverse effects from the investigational product was the most important reason why participants reported not using the gel. The key reason for inaccurate reporting of gel use was fear of removal from the trial. Participants made concrete suggestions for improving microbicide trial design such as applicator use testing and real time feedback, improving education to participants about how trials answer their research questions, and improving transparency and clarity about study procedures. Participants also gave feedback on an innovative trial design with a non-randomised arm. Identifying HIV prevention products for women requires better understanding of the lives of women asked to join these trials, and application of that understanding to microbicide trial design. This study has demonstrated that participants and research teams can work collaboratively to design clinical trials that meet needs of both the research and of participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori Miller
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neetha Morar
- HIV Prevention Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | - Richard Hayes
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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