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Zribi M, Mansour NB, Moussa H, Hassine HB, Aounallah-Skhiri H. Experiences and perceptions of health professionals towards the quality of care for people living with HIV in Tunisia: a qualitative study. Pan Afr Med J 2023; 46:4. [PMID: 37928224 PMCID: PMC10620327 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2023.46.4.35184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to be a public health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, including Tunisia. In 2020, 32% of people living with HIV were on treatment. Management of HIV infection remains a real challenge for both patients and care providers. Our study aimed to describe the perceptions and attitudes of health professionals toward care for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods a qualitative study was carried out between 2020 and 2021. Interviews with key informants were conducted in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the care for PLHIV, as well as their suggestions for improvement. Eight key informants in HIV care from different profiles were interviewed: healthcare providers from a specialized university hospital, the Ministry of Health, and civil society representatives working in the field of HIV. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically using "QDA Miner" software. Results the frequency of PLHIV who have interrupted medical follow-up was perceived as worrisome, and increasing. Along with individual factors, non-adherence to treatment was also attributed to systemic factors related to stock shortages, geographical inaccessibility, and shortfall in human resources. Stigmatization of PLHIV in healthcare facilities outside the specialized hospital was also highlighted. This has been linked to gaps in the training of care providers on the modes of the virus transmission. Conclusion health professionals face many challenges in the care of PLHIV. There is an urgent need to improve treatment availability and accessibility, strengthen social assistance for PLHIV and fight against stigmatization, especially in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Zribi
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Nadia Ben Mansour
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Hayet Moussa
- Higher Institute of Human Sciences of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | - Hajer Aounallah-Skhiri
- National Institute of Health, Tunis, Tunisia
- Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia
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Meng X, Yin H, Ma W, Gu J, Lu Z, Fitzpatrick T, Zou H. Peer-Led Community-Based Support Services and HIV Treatment Outcomes Among People Living With HIV in Wuxi, China: Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of Surveillance Data From 2006 to 2021. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2023; 9:e43635. [PMID: 36961492 PMCID: PMC10131765 DOI: 10.2196/43635] [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: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based organizations deliver peer-led support services to people living with HIV. Systematic reviews have found that peer-led community-based support services can improve HIV treatment outcomes; however, few studies have been implemented to evaluate its impact on mortality using long-term follow-up data. OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the associations between the receipt of peer-led community-based support services and HIV treatment outcomes and survival among people living with HIV in Wuxi, China. METHODS We performed a propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study using data collected from the Chinese National HIV/AIDS Comprehensive Information Management System for people living with HIV in Wuxi, China, between 2006 and 2021. People living with HIV who received adjunctive peer-led community-based support for at least 6 months from a local community-based organization (exposure group) were matched to people living with HIV who only received routine clinic-based HIV care (control group). We compared the differences in HIV treatment outcomes and survival between these 2 groups using Kaplan-Meier curves. We used competing risk and Cox proportional hazards models to assess correlates of AIDS-related mortality (ARM) and all-cause mortality. We reported adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio and adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CIs. RESULTS A total of 860 people living with HIV were included (430 in the exposure group and 430 in the control group). The exposure group was more likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART; 396/430, 92.1% vs 360/430, 83.7%; P<.001), remain retained in care 12 months after ART initiation (402/430, 93.5% vs 327/430, 76.1%; P<.001), and achieve viral suppression 9 to 24 months after ART initiation (357/381, 93.7% vs 217/243, 89.3%; P=.048) than the control group. The exposure group had significantly lower ARM (1.8 vs 7.0 per 1000 person-years; P=.01) and all-cause mortality (2.3 vs 9.3 per 1000 person-years; P=.002) and significantly higher cumulative survival rates (P=.003). The exposure group had a 72% reduction in ARM (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.09-0.95) and a 70% reduction in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.30, 95% CI 0.11-0.82). The nonrandomized retrospective nature of our analysis prevents us from determining whether peer-led community-based support caused the observed differences in HIV treatment outcomes and survival between the exposure and control groups. CONCLUSIONS The receipt of peer-led community-based support services correlated with significantly improved HIV treatment outcomes and survival among people living with HIV in a middle-income country in Asia. The 15-year follow-up period in this study allowed us to identify associations with survival not previously reported in the literature. Future interventional trials are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Meng
- Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China
| | - Hanlu Yin
- Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China
| | - Wenjuan Ma
- Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China
| | - Jing Gu
- Wuxi Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhen Lu
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Thomas Fitzpatrick
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Huachun Zou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Parry MS. Public health heritage and policy: HIV and AIDS in museums and archives. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 27:253-262. [PMID: 32997066 DOI: 10.1590/s0104-59702020000300013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the last five years there has been a resurgence of scholarly research and museum exhibitions on the history of HIV and AIDS. This work has called into question some of the conventions of archiving and interpreting the history of the pandemic. It is increasingly clear that a narrow range of materials have been saved. As historians and curators turn to these holdings for analysis and exhibition, they find they inadequately represent the impact of AIDS across diverse groups as well as the range of local, national, international responses. This essay considers some of the factors that shape collection of the material culture, particularly the heritage of public health, and the consequences for our understanding of lessons from the past.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon Sian Parry
- University of Amsterdam; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Amsterdam - Netherlands
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Cueto M, Lopes G. Backlash in global health and the end of AIDS' exceptionalism in Brazil, 2007-2019. Glob Public Health 2021; 17:815-826. [PMID: 33689577 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1896764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines the decline of the AIDS Programme in Brazil, the Latin American country most affected by the epidemic, with emphasis in the second decade of the twenty-first century. For many years, Brazil served as a model in Global Health due to a comprehensive preventive policy, a partnership between the government and health activists and the support of life-saving drugs as public goods rather than commodities. The regression of AIDS policies in Brazil interacted with developments in the United States as well as with multilateral agencies like UNAIDS that emphasised biomedicalisation in the response to the disease where broad human-rights programmes and alliance with activists were not priorities. International programmes like the 'Ending AIDS' campaign indirectly undermined the exceptional status AIDS enjoyed since the late 1980s. The backlash in Brazilian policies to fight AIDS was a result of the fragmentation of the left and the empowerment of radical conservative authoritarian and religious forces. The result was the breakdown of the long-held belief that successful anti-AIDS disease programmes could simultaneously help control the disease and build better healthcare systems and ultimately prompted the end of the special place AIDS' policy had in Brazil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Cueto
- Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lopes
- Casa de Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Liang H, Tang K, Cao W, Guo Y, Jiao Y, Zhu W, Wang Y, Wang H. Factors influencing the acceptability of HIV/AIDS voluntary counselling and testing: a quantitative study of 41336 female university students in China. Sex Health 2021; 18:119-121. [PMID: 33588985 DOI: 10.1071/sh20038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study shows that there is a huge gap between young females' willingness and practice of accepting voluntary counselling and testing (VCT). Only 2.16% (894/41336) of the participants have had HIV/AIDS tests. The study identified age, education major, confidentiality, attitude, accuracy, self-assessment and expense as major factors associated with young female people's acceptance of VCT in China. Therefore, in order to promote HIV VCT among young females, it is necessary for future programs to be sensitive to the targeted population's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixu Liang
- Baotou Medical College, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014040, China
| | - Kun Tang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
| | - Wenzhen Cao
- Department of Information Management, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yueping Guo
- Graduate School of Chinese Academy of Social Science, Beijing 102488, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Beijing, Beijing 100020, China
| | | | - Yutong Wang
- Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Chaoyang District Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Beijing, Beijing 100020, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
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Dovel K, Phiri K, Mphande M, Mindry D, Sanudi E, Bellos M, Hoffman RM. Optimizing Test and Treat in Malawi: health care worker perspectives on barriers and facilitators to ART initiation among HIV-infected clients who feel healthy. Glob Health Action 2020; 13:1728830. [PMID: 32098595 PMCID: PMC7054923 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1728830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Test and Treat has been widely adopted throughout sub-Saharan Africa, whereby all HIV-positive individuals initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately upon diagnosis and continue for life. However, clients who feel healthy may delay ART initiation, despite being eligible under new treatment guidelines. Objective: We examined health care worker (HCW) perceptions and experiences on how feeling healthy positively or negatively influences treatment initiation among HIV-positive clients in Malawi. Methods: We conducted 12 focus group discussions with 101 HCWs across six health facilities in Central Malawi. Data were analyzed through constant comparison methods using Atlas.ti7.5. Results: Feeling healthy influences perceptions of ART initiation among HIV-positive clients. HCWs described that healthy clients feel that there are few tangible benefits to immediate ART initiation, but numerous risks. Fear of stigma and unwanted disclosure, disruption of daily activities, fear of side effects, and limited knowledge about the benefits of early initiation were perceived by HCWs to deter healthy clients from initiating ART. Conclusion: Feeling healthy may exacerbate barriers to ART initiation. Strategies to reach healthy clients are needed, such as chronic care models, differentiated models of care that minimize disruptions to daily activities, and community sensitization on the benefits of early initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Partners in Hope Medical Centre, EQUIP Innovations for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Khumbo Phiri
- Partners in Hope Medical Centre, EQUIP Innovations for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Misheck Mphande
- Partners in Hope Medical Centre, EQUIP Innovations for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Deborah Mindry
- UC Global Health Institute, Center for Women's Health Gender and Empowerment, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Esnart Sanudi
- Partners in Hope Medical Centre, EQUIP Innovations for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Mcdaphton Bellos
- Partners in Hope Medical Centre, EQUIP Innovations for Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Risa M Hoffman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Palacios R, Mathias A. Learning from combination HIV prevention programmes to face COVID-19 emerging pandemic. Colomb Med (Cali) 2020; 51:e4276. [PMID: 33012888 PMCID: PMC7518725 DOI: 10.25100/cm.v51i2.4276] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Before a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 became available, several measures to control COVID-19 pandemic are necessary. Analogously, in the absence of an available vaccine, Combination HIV Prevention Programmes have consolidated a large experience of biomedical, behavioral and structural interventions suitable for several epidemiological settings. Adaptation of such experiences can organize mid-term and long-term responses to face COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Palacios
- Instituto Butantan, Clinical Trials and Pharmacovigilance Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Augusto Mathias
- Universidade de São Paulo, School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
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Molecular network-based intervention brings us closer to ending the HIV pandemic. Front Med 2020; 14:136-148. [PMID: 32206964 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-020-0756-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Precise identification of HIV transmission among populations is a key step in public health responses. However, the HIV transmission network is usually difficult to determine. HIV molecular networks can be determined by phylogenetic approach, genetic distance-based approach, and a combination of both approaches. These approaches are increasingly used to identify transmission networks among populations, reconstruct the history of HIV spread, monitor the dynamics of HIV transmission, guide targeted intervention on key subpopulations, and assess the effects of interventions. Simulation and retrospective studies have demonstrated that these molecular network-based interventions are more cost-effective than random or traditional interventions. However, we still need to address several challenges to improve the practice of molecular network-guided targeting interventions to finally end the HIV epidemic. The data remain limited or difficult to obtain, and more automatic real-time tools are required. In addition, molecular and social networks must be combined, and technical parameters and ethnic issues warrant further studies.
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Endalamaw A, Demsie A, Eshetie S, Habtewold TD. A systematic review and meta-analysis of vertical transmission route of HIV in Ethiopia. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:283. [PMID: 29929480 PMCID: PMC6013937 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-3189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV is high and risk factors are common in Ethiopia. This systematic review and meta-analysis intended to provide the pooled estimation of mother-to-child transmission rate and its risk factors in Ethiopia. METHODS We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Web of Science electronic databases for all available references. We included observational studies including case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies. The search was further limited to studies conducted in Ethiopia and publish in English. Heterogeneity was checked using the I2 statistic. Egger's test and the funnel plot were used to assess publication bias. A meta-analysis using a weighted inverse variance random-effects model was performed. RESULTS A total of 18 studies with 6253 individuals were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Of these, 14 studies with 4624 individuals were used to estimate the prevalence. The estimated pooled prevalence of mother-to-child transmission of HIV was 11.4% (95% CI = 9.1-13.7). The pooled adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for the infants from rural area was 3.8 (95% CI = 1.4 to 6.3), infants delivered at home was 3.2 (95% CI = 1.2 to 5.2), infant didn't take antiretroviral prophylaxis was 5.8 (95% CI = 1.5 to 10.3), mother didn't take antiretroviral prophylaxis was 6.1 (95% CI = 2.5 to 9.6), mothers didn't receive PMTCT intervention was 5.1 (95% CI = 1.6, 8.6), and on mixed feeding was 4.3 (95% CI = 1.8 to 6.7). CONCLUSIONS This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV was high in Ethiopia. Being from the rural residence, home delivery, not taking antiretroviral prophylaxis, the absence of PMTCT intervention, and mixed infant feeding practices increased the risk of HIV transmission. TRIAL REGISTRATION It is registered in the Prospero database: (PROSPERO 2017: CRD42017078232 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aklilu Endalamaw
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O.BOX: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
| | - Amare Demsie
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, School of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O.BOX: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Setegn Eshetie
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfa Dejenie Habtewold
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center for Psychiatry, Rob Giel Research Centre, Groningen, The Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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