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Moodley Y, Asare K, Tanser F, Tomita A. Maternal exposure to heat and its association with miscarriage in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A population-based cohort study. WOMEN'S HEALTH (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 20:17455057241259171. [PMID: 39066467 PMCID: PMC11282531 DOI: 10.1177/17455057241259171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to improve the current understanding of how climate change impacts women's reproductive health in sub-Saharan Africa. OBJECTIVES We investigated the relationship between maternal heat exposure and miscarriage (pregnancy ending before 20 weeks gestation) in a South African setting. DESIGN Population-based cohort study. METHODS Our study involved data for pregnancies collected via a health and demographic surveillance system in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa between 2012 and 2016. Data from the South African Weather Service were used to compute maternal exposure to heat during the following time windows for each pregnancy: during the month preceding conception (T1) and during the week preceding the study outcome (either a miscarriage or no miscarriage, T2). Heat exposure was operationalized as a continuous variable and defined as the number of days that a mother was exposed to a mean daily temperature of > 26.6°C (A "hot day," equivalent to a mean daily temperature of > 80°F) during T1 or T2. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between maternal heat exposure and miscarriage. RESULTS A total of 105/3477 pregnancies included in our analysis ended in miscarriage (3.0%). Each additional hot day during T1 was associated with a 26% higher odds of miscarriage (odds ratio: 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.15-1.38). No significant associations were observed between maternal heat exposure during T2 and the odds of miscarriage (odds ratio: 0.94, 95% confidence interval: 0.73-1.20). The relationship between maternal heat exposure during T1 and the odds of miscarriage was J-shaped. CONCLUSION There is a clear relationship between maternal heat exposure during the month preceding conception and miscarriage in our sub-Saharan African setting. Given the lack of feasible strategies to reduce pregnancy loss associated with prevailing high temperatures in sub-Saharan Africa, progressive climate change will likely exacerbate existing challenges for women's reproductive health in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshan Moodley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kwabena Asare
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation, School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Andrew Tomita
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Congella, South Africa
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Abraham SA, Clow SE. Staying, leaving and returning: Trends of prevention of mother-to-child transmission retention among newly diagnosed HIV-positive pregnant and postpartum women. Int J STD AIDS 2021; 33:81-87. [PMID: 34632873 DOI: 10.1177/09564624211046995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Uptake of services and retention throughout the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission continuum are necessary to achieve the goal of reducing Mother-to-Child Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Adopting a retrospective cohort design, we tracked the uptake of services in a district hospital in Ghana from antenatal booking through to six weeks postnatal when early infant diagnosis was conducted. Of the 1252 pregnant women booked antenatally, 94.1% (n = 1178) received pre-test counselling, 96.3% (1134) opted for HIV testing and 3.8% (n = 43) women tested positive for HIV throughout the continuum. The retention rate at six weeks postpartum was 67.4%. Missed opportunities occurred throughout the programme and the highest disengagement, 58.9% (23/39) occurred antenatally. Instances of re-engagement were also recorded. Establishing measures to promote retention throughout the programme is critical to ensuring HIV-infected mothers maintain their health and their exposed newborns are HIV-free. This phase of the study provided a comprehensive view of retention in the absence of any baseline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna A Abraham
- Adult Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, 63726University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.,Division of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, 63726University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sheila E Clow
- Adult Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Allied Sciences, 63726University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
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Moodley Y, Tomita A, de Oliveira T, Tanser F. HIV viral load and pregnancy loss: results from a population-based cohort study in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS 2021; 35:829-833. [PMID: 33587438 PMCID: PMC7969410 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With ever-expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) access among pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa, it is more than ever important to address the gap in knowledge around ART effectiveness, as measured by HIV viral load, and pregnancy loss. DESIGN A population-based cohort study. METHODS The study sample consisted of 3431 pregnancies from 2835 women living with HIV aged 16-35 years old. All women participated in a population-based cohort conducted between 2004 and 2018 in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Viral load data were collected at prior surveys and an HIV care registry. The closest available viral load to the date that each pregnancy ended was used and classified as either a pre- or postconception viral load. Logistic regression was used to investigate the association between high viral load (log10 viral load >4.0 copies/ml) and pregnancy loss, defined as either a miscarriage or stillbirth. RESULTS Pregnancy loss occurred at a rate of 1.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.0-1.8) per 100 pregnancies. There were 1451 pregnancies (42.3%) with postconception viral load measurements. The median time between the viral load measurement and the pregnancy end date was 11.7 (interquartile range: 5.0-25.4) months. We found a higher likelihood of pregnancy loss in women who had high viral loads prior to the outcome of their pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio: 2.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.10-5.18). CONCLUSION Given the significant relationship between high viral load and pregnancy loss, our study lends further credence to ensuring effective ART through enrolment and retention of pregnant women living with HIV in ART programs, treatment adherence interventions, and viral load monitoring during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshan Moodley
- Africa Health Research Institute
- School of Nursing and Public Health
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
- Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein
| | - Andrew Tomita
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tulio de Oliveira
- KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute
- School of Nursing and Public Health
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Mejia-Pailles G, Berrington A, McGrath N, Hosegood V. Trends in the prevalence and incidence of orphanhood in children and adolescents <20 years in rural KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, 2000-2014. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238563. [PMID: 33232331 PMCID: PMC7685426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, large increases in early adult mortality during the 1990s and early 2000s have reversed since public HIV treatment rollout in 2004. In a rural population in KwaZulu-Natal, we investigate trends in parental mortality and orphanhood from 2000-2014. METHODS Using longitudinal demographic surveillance data for a population of approximately 90,000, we calculated annual incidence and prevalence of maternal, paternal and double orphanhood in children and adolescents (<20 years) and, overall and cause-specific mortality of parents by age. RESULTS The proportion of children and adolescents (<20 years) for whom one or both parents had died rose from 26% in 2000 to peak at 36% in 2010, followed by a decline to 32% in 2014. The burden of orphanhood remains high especially in the oldest age group: in 2014, 53% of adolescents 15-19 years had experienced the death of one or both parents. In all age groups and years, paternal orphan prevalence was three-five times higher than maternal orphan prevalence. Maternal and paternal orphan incidence peaked in 2005 at 17 and 27 per 1,000 person years respectively (<20 years) before declining by half through 2014. The leading cause of parental death throughout the period, HIV/AIDS and TB cause-specific mortality rates declined substantially in mothers and fathers from 2007 and 2009 respectively. CONCLUSIONS The survival of parents with children and adolescents <20 years has improved in tandem with earlier initiation and higher coverage of HIV treatment. However, comparatively high levels of parental deaths persist in this rural population in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly among fathers. Community-level surveillance to estimate levels of orphanhood remains important for monitoring and evaluation of targeted state welfare support for orphans and their guardians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ann Berrington
- Department of Social Statistics & Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Nuala McGrath
- Department of Social Statistics & Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Department of Population Sciences & Primary Care, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Victoria Hosegood
- Department of Social Statistics & Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Woldesenbet S, Kufa T, Cheyip M, Ayalew K, Lombard C, Manda S, Nadol P, Barron P, Chirombo B, Igumbor E, Pillay Y, Puren A. Awareness of HIV-positive status and linkage to treatment prior to pregnancy in the "test and treat" era: A national antenatal sentinel survey, 2017, South Africa. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229874. [PMID: 32168356 PMCID: PMC7069609 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Knowledge of HIV status in South Africa (SA) is reported to be 90% among people living with HIV. National level estimates could mask population-specific levels, which are critical to monitor program coverage and potential impact. Using data from the 2017 national antenatal sentinel survey, we assessed knowledge of HIV-positive status, initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and socio-demographic characteristics associated with knowledge of HIV-positive status prior to the current pregnancy among women attending antenatal care. Methods Between 1 October and 15 November 2017, a nationally representative sample of 32,716 pregnant women were enrolled from 1,595 public health facilities selected from all districts of SA. Data on age, gravidity, knowledge of HIV-positive status and ART initiation prior to pregnancy were extracted from medical records. A blood sample was collected from each woman regardless of prior knowledge of HIV status or ART history, and tested for HIV in the laboratory. All HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in the survey were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Multivariable survey logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with knowledge of HIV-positive status prior to the current pregnancy. Results Of 10,065 eligible HIV-positive women, 60.8% (95% confidence interval (CI):59.9%–61.7%) knew their HIV status prior to the current pregnancy, of whom 91.1% (95% CI: 90.4%–91.7%) initiated ART prior to the current pregnancy. Knowledge of HIV-positive status was lower among adolescent girls and young women (15–24 years) (38.9%) and primigravid women (40.5%) compared with older women (35–49 years) (75.5%) and multigravid women (64.7%). In a multivariable analysis, significant effect modification was found between gravidity and age (P value = 0.047). Being in the age group 15–24 years compared to the age group 35–49 years decreased the odds of knowing HIV-positive status by 80% (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.2, 95% CI:0.1–0.4) among primigravid women and by 60%(AOR: 0.4, 95% CI:0.3–0.4) among multigravid women. Conclusion Knowledge of HIV-positive status prior to the current pregnancy fell short of the target of 90% among pregnant women living with HIV. This was especially low among adolescent girls and young women, highlighting the gap in youth friendly reproductive health and HIV testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selamawit Woldesenbet
- Center for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Tendesayi Kufa
- Center for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mireille Cheyip
- Strategic Information Unit, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kassahun Ayalew
- Strategic Information Unit, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Carl Lombard
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samuel Manda
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Patrick Nadol
- Strategic Information Unit, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Peter Barron
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Brian Chirombo
- HIV and Hepatitis Program, World Health Organization, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ehi Igumbor
- Strategic Information Unit, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yogan Pillay
- HIV & AIDS, TB and Maternal, Child and Women’s Health (MCWH), National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Adrian Puren
- Center for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Virology Department, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Chimbindi N, Mthiyane N, Birdthistle I, Floyd S, McGrath N, Pillay D, Seeley J, Zuma T, Dreyer J, Gareta D, Mutevedzi T, Fenty J, Herbst K, Smit T, Baisley K, Shahmanesh M. Persistently high incidence of HIV and poor service uptake in adolescent girls and young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa prior to DREAMS. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203193. [PMID: 30325932 PMCID: PMC6191091 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic in South Africa. 'DREAMS' aims to reduce HIV incidence through multi-level combination prevention. We describe HIV incidence and uptake of HIV and sexual reproductive health (SRH) by AGYW in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), prior to DREAMS. METHODS Longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of women (15-24 year old) in a population-based HIV incidence cohort within a demographic surveillance site in KZN. Observation time for HIV incidence was person-years at risk while resident. "Current use of contraceptives" and "having an HIV test in the past 12 months" was compared between 2011 and 2015. RESULTS In 2015, HIV prevalence was 11.0% and 34.1% and HIV incidence (2011-2015) was 4.54% (95%CI:3.89-5.30) and 7.45% (95%CI:6.51-8.51) per year in 15-19 and 20-24 year olds respectively, with no significant decline compared to 2006-2010. In 2015, 90.7% of 20-24-year-olds were unemployed, 36.4% and 51.7% of 15-19 and 20-24 year olds reported recent migration; 20.9% and 72.6% of 15-19 and 20-24 year olds had ever been pregnant. In 2015, less than 50% reported condom-use at last sex, 15.0% of 15-19 year olds and 48.9% of 20-24 year olds were currently using contraception and 32.0% and 66.7% of 15-19 and 20-24 year olds had tested for HIV in the past 12 months. There had been no improvement compared to 2011. Factors associated with AGYW testing for HIV in the past 12 months were, survey year-2011 more likely than 2015 (aOR = 0.50), number of partners (aOR = 3.25), ever been pregnant (aOR = 2.47) and knowing where to find ART (aOR = 1.54). Factors associated with contraception use were being older (aOR = 4.83); ever been pregnant (aOR = 12.62); knowing where to get ART (aOR = 1.79) and having had an HIV test in past 12 months (aOR = 1.74). CONCLUSION Prior to DREAMS, HIV incidence in AGYW was high. HIV and SRH service uptake did not improve and was suboptimal. Findings highlight the need for combination HIV prevention programmes for AGYW in this economically vulnerable area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sian Floyd
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jaco Dreyer
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Justin Fenty
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Theresa Smit
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Kathy Baisley
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
- University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Chetty T, Thorne C, Coutsoudis A. Preterm delivery and small-for-gestation outcomes in HIV-infected pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy in rural South Africa: Results from a cohort study, 2010-2015. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192805. [PMID: 29470508 PMCID: PMC5823389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Increasingly more women conceive on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase-based regimens. This study assessed the effect of preconception tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-lamivudine (3TC)/emtricitabine (FTC)-efavirenz (EFV) and post-conception TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV (versus other regimens) on preterm delivery (PTD) and small-for-gestational age (SGA) births. Methods We analysed data of 2549 HIV-infected women attending antenatal clinics in KwaZulu-Natal from 2010 through 2015 in this retrospective cohort study. Preconception, TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV was compared to nevirapine (NVP)-based regimens and other 3-drug EFV-based regimens. Post-conception, TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV was compared to NVP-based ART and zidovudine (ZDV) prophylaxis. Outcomes included PTD <37 weeks and SGA births. Generalized linear mixed effects were used to fit logistic regression models to account for repeat pregnancies. Results Among 2549 singleton live births, 10.4% (n = 264) were PTD and 10.4% (n = 265) SGA. PTD declined from 16.3% in 2010 to 9.3% in 2015 and SGA remained stable from 9.9% in 2010 to 10% in 2015. Preconception NVP-based regimens [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.66; 95% CI 0.27–1.63] and other 3-drug EFV-based regimens (aOR 0.72; 95% CI 0.24–2.12) were not associated with PTD versus TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV. NVP-based (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.40–1.42) and other 3-drug EFV-based regimens (aOR 1.55; 95% CI 0.76–3.16) were not associated with SGA births versus TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV. Post-conception NVP-based ART (1.77; 95% CI 0.89–3.51) and ZDV (1.03; 95% CI 0.68–1.58) were not associated with PTD versus TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV. NVP-based ART (1.55; 95% CI 0.66–3.61) and ZDV (0.89; 95% CI 0.53–1.47) were not associated with SGA versus TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV. Conclusions Preconception TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV and post-conception TDF-(3TC/FTC)-EFV were not associated with PTD or SGA, compared with other regimens. Increasing ART use merits further study of the optimum ART regimen for safe birth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terusha Chetty
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Claire Thorne
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Coutsoudis
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Chetty T, Newell ML, Thorne C, Coutsoudis A. Viraemia before, during and after pregnancy in HIV-infected women on antiretroviral therapy in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2010-2015. Trop Med Int Health 2017; 23:79-91. [PMID: 29121445 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pregnancy and post-partum viral load suppression is critical to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission and ensure maternal health. We measured viraemia risk before, during and after pregnancy in HIV-infected women. METHODS Between 2010 and 2015, 1425 HIV-infected pregnant women on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months pre-pregnancy were enrolled in a cohort study in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Odds ratios were estimated in multilevel logistic regression, with pregnancy period time-varying. RESULTS Over half of 1425 women received tenofovir-based regimens (n = 791). Median pre-pregnancy ART duration was 2.1 years. Of 988 women (69.3%) with pre-pregnancy viral loads, 82.0%, 6.8% and 11.2% had VL <50, 50-999 and ≥1000 copies/ml, respectively. During pregnancy and at six, 12 and 24 months, viral load was ≥1000 copies/ml in 15.2%, 15.7%, 17.8% and 16.6% respectively; viral load <50 was 76.9%, 77%, 75.5% and 75.8%, respectively. Adjusting for age, clinical and pregnancy factors, viraemia risk (viral load ≥50 copies/ml) was not significantly associated with pregnancy [adjusted OR (aOR) 1.31; 95% CI 0.90-1.92], six months (aOR 1.30; 95% CI 0.83-2.04), 12 months (aOR 0.96; 95% CI 0.58-1.58) and 24 months (aOR 1.40; 95% CI 0.89-2.22) post-partum. Adjusting for ART duration-pregnancy period interaction, viraemia risk was 1.8 during pregnancy and twofold higher post-partum. CONCLUSIONS While undetectable viral load before pregnancy through post-partum was common, the UNAIDS goal to suppress viraemia in 90% of women was not met. Women on preconception ART remain vulnerable to viraemia; additional support is required to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission and maintain maternal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terusha Chetty
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Department of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Marie-Louise Newell
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Developmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Claire Thorne
- UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Coutsoudis
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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