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Myburgh N, Qwabi T, Shivambo L, Ntsie L, Sokani A, Maixenchs M, Choge I, Mahtab S, Dangor Z, Madhi S. Factors affecting antenatal care attendance in Soweto, Johannesburg: The three-delay model. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2024; 16:e1-e9. [PMID: 38949438 PMCID: PMC11220068 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4333] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antenatal care remains critical for identifying and managing complications contributing to maternal and infant mortality, yet attendance among women in South Africa persists as a challenge. AIM This study aimed to understand the challenges faced by women attending antenatal care in Soweto, Johannesburg, using the three-delay model. SETTING This study was conducted in Soweto, Johannesburg. METHODS An exploratory, descriptive and qualitative research design was used, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 pregnant women and four women who had recently given birth. RESULTS Findings indicate delays in seeking care due to factors such as pregnancy unawareness, waiting for visible signs, and fear of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. Challenges such as transportation difficulties, distance to clinics, and facility conditions further impeded the initiation of antenatal care. Late initiation often occurred to avoid long waits, inadequate facilities, language barriers and nurse mistreatment. CONCLUSION From this study, we learn that challenges such as unawareness of pregnancy, cultural notions of keeping pregnancy a secret, fear of HIV testing, long waiting lines, high cost of transportation fees, clinic demarcation, shortage of essential medicines, broken toilets and verbal abuse from nurses have delayed women from initiating antenatal care early in Soweto, Johannesburg.Contribution: Challenges of women with antenatal care attendance in South Africa must be addressed by implementing community-based health education interventions, institutionalising HIV psycho-social support services and improving quality of antenatal care services in public health facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nellie Myburgh
- Department of Vaccines and Infectious Disease Analytics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
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Chewe VM, Khunou SH. Midwifery hurdles: Navigating tuberculosis screening challenges in South Africa. Curationis 2024; 47:e1-e6. [PMID: 38949423 PMCID: PMC11219679 DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v47i1.2533] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, screening for tuberculosis during pregnancy is a serious challenge. Tuberculosis is one of the leading indirect causes of mortality in pregnant women. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by midwives regarding tuberculosis in pregnant women. METHOD A qualitative exploratory research method was used to conduct the study. The study population comprised midwives who worked at primary healthcare clinics in the selected local area, Capricorn District, Limpopo province. Purposive non-probability sampling was used to select 10 participants. Data from participants were acquired using in-depth individual semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out using manual thematic analysis following Tesch's technique. RESULTS The outcomes of this study included midwives knowing their roles regarding tuberculosis screening among pregnant women. They further highlighted their challenges while screening tuberculosis in pregnant women, such as shortage of screening tools, withholding of tuberculosis information, and language barrier. CONCLUSION Midwives should have the necessary equipment and be trained in various languages used in the province to improve tuberculosis screening among all pregnant women.Contribution: Infected pregnant women and their unborn children's health can be improved by tuberculosis screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violet M Chewe
- Department of Advanced Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou.
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Wulandari LPL, Lubis DS, Kurniati DPY, Sumintang K, Ardrini DAM, Mariani P, Januraga PP, Camellia A, Laksmi NMDP, Mahmudah L, Ong JJ, Causer L, Liverani M, Guy R, Wiseman V. Challenges to integrating programs for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B into antenatal care: Experiences from Indonesia. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002977. [PMID: 38446812 PMCID: PMC10917262 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The WHO's Asia-Pacific framework for triple elimination recommends that countries evaluate their programs for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B (EMTCT), including identifying gaps to improve program planning and the implementation of elimination strategies in antenatal care (ANC) services. In 2022, the Indonesian Ministry of Health reported that only 39% of pregnant women were tested for HIV, 14% for syphilis, and 28% for hepatitis B, respectively. We conducted a qualitative study involving a focus group discussion (FGD) and in-depth interviews with 25 key stakeholders in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara Provinces to identify specific challenges to testing for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B in ANC settings. Thematic analysis was used to identify the themes generated from the data. Health system bottlenecks experienced by stakeholders included supply chain management issues involving stock forecasting and stock monitoring, stock-outs of rapid test reagents which were particularly most frequent and for longer durations for syphilis and hepatitis B, high staff turnover, lack of staff training on how to perform the test, the complexity and time needed to record the data on women's characteristics, risk behaviours, and testing in both paper format and into the computer-based surveillance systems, discrepancies in program coverage data from different divisions of the district health office involved in the reporting system, high levels of stigma that prevented women from being followed up, challenges in notifying partners, and inadequate reporting and referral of women from private providers to public ones for testing. Interventions addressing the above challenges are worthy of consideration to improve the health system function and integrate EMTCT into the ANC settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luh Putu Lila Wulandari
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Dinar Saurmauli Lubis
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Desak Putu Yuli Kurniati
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Karjono Sumintang
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Dewa Ayu Mirah Ardrini
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | | | - Pande Putu Januraga
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
- Center for Public Health Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, Udayana University, Bali, Indonesia
| | | | | | | | - Jason J. Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- China-Australia Joint Research Center for Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Causer
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Marco Liverani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Rebecca Guy
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Claassen CW, Kafunda I, Mwango L, Shiyanda S, Stoebenau K, Gekanju-Toeque M, Lindsay B, Adebayo O, Sinjani M, Kaayunga C, Wa Banza PK, Mweebo K, Kancheya N, Musokotwane K, Mwila A, Monze N, Nichols BE, Blanco N, Lavoie MCC, Watson DC, Hachaambwa L, Sheneberger R. Achieving HIV Epidemic Control and Improving Maternal Healthcare Services with Community-Based HIV Service Delivery in Zambia: Mixed-Methods Assessment of the SMACHT Project. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3571-3583. [PMID: 37204561 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Novel community-based approaches are needed to achieve and sustain HIV epidemic control in Zambia. Under the Stop Mother and Child HIV Transmission (SMACHT) project, the Community HIV Epidemic Control (CHEC) differentiated service delivery model used community health workers to support HIV testing, ART linkage, viral suppression, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). A multi-methods assessment included programmatic data analysis from April 2015 to September 2020, and qualitative interviews from February to March 2020. CHEC provided HIV testing services to 1,379,387 clients; 46,138 were newly identified as HIV-positive (3.3% yield), with 41,366 (90%) linked to ART. By 2020, 91% (60,694/66,841) of clients on ART were virally suppressed. Qualitatively, healthcare workers and clients benefitted from CHEC, with provision of confidential services, health facility decongestion, and increased HIV care uptake and retention. Community-based models can increase uptake of HIV testing and linkage to care, and help achieve epidemic control and elimination of MTCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassidy W Claassen
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.
- MGIC-Zambia, Plot 31C. Bishops Road. Kabulonga, P/B E017, Post-Net Box 319 Crossroads, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Ina Kafunda
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Steven Shiyanda
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Mona Gekanju-Toeque
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brianna Lindsay
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Msangwa Sinjani
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - Keith Mweebo
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Nzali Kancheya
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Annie Mwila
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Newman Monze
- Southern Provincial Health Office, Ministry of Health, Choma, Zambia
| | | | - Natalia Blanco
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Marie-Claude C Lavoie
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Robb Sheneberger
- Center for International Health, Education, and Biosecurity, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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5
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Moloi H, Daniels K, Brooke-Sumner C, Cooper S, Odendaal WA, Thorne M, Akama E, Leon N. Healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of primary healthcare integration: a scoping review of qualitative evidence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 7:CD013603. [PMID: 37466272 PMCID: PMC10355136 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013603.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary healthcare (PHC) integration has been promoted globally as a tool for health sector reform and universal health coverage (UHC), especially in low-resource settings. However, for a range of reasons, implementation and impact remain variable. PHC integration, at its simplest, can be considered a way of delivering PHC services together that sometimes have been delivered as a series of separate or 'vertical' health programmes. Healthcare workers are known to shape the success of implementing reform interventions. Understanding healthcare worker perceptions and experiences of PHC integration can therefore provide insights into the role healthcare workers play in shaping implementation efforts and the impact of PHC integration. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base complicates our understanding of their role in shaping the implementation, delivery, and impact of PHC integration, and the role of contextual factors influencing their responses. OBJECTIVES To map the qualitative literature on healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of PHC integration to characterise the evidence base, with a view to better inform future syntheses on the topic. SEARCH METHODS We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 28 July 2020. We did not search for grey literature due to the many published records identified. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies with qualitative and mixed methods designs that reported on healthcare worker perceptions and experiences of PHC integration from any country. We excluded settings other than PHC and community-based health care, participants other than healthcare workers, and interventions broader than healthcare services. We used translation support from colleagues and Google Translate software to screen non-English records. Where translation was not feasible we categorised these records as studies awaiting classification. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS For data extraction, we used a customised data extraction form containing items developed using inductive and deductive approaches. We performed independent extraction in duplicate for a sample on 10% of studies allowed for sufficient agreement to be reached between review authors. We analysed extracted data quantitatively by counting the number of studies per indicator and converting these into proportions with additional qualitative descriptive information. Indicators included descriptions of study methods, country setting, intervention type, scope and strategies, implementing healthcare workers, and client target population. MAIN RESULTS The review included 184 studies for analysis based on 191 included papers. Most studies were published in the last 12 years, with a sharp increase in the last five years. Studies mostly employed methods with cross-sectional qualitative design (mainly interviews and focus group discussions), and few used longitudinal or ethnographic (or both) designs. Studies covered 37 countries, with close to an even split in the proportions of high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There were gaps in the geographical spread for both HICs and LMICs and some countries were more dominant, such as the USA for HICs, South Africa for middle-income countries, and Uganda for low-income countries. Methods were mainly cross-sectional observational studies with few longitudinal studies. A minority of studies used an analytical conceptual model to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of the integration study. The main finding was the various levels of diversity found in the evidence base on PHC integration studies that examined healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences. The review identified six different configurations of health service streams that were being integrated and these were categorised as: mental and behavioural health; HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and sexual reproductive health; maternal, women, and child health; non-communicable diseases; and two broader categories, namely general PHC services, and allied and specialised services. Within the health streams, the review mapped the scope of the interventions as full or partial integration. The review mapped the use of three different integration strategies and categorised these as horizontal integration, service expansion, and service linkage strategies. The wide range of healthcare workers who participated in the implementation of integration interventions was mapped and these included policymakers, senior managers, middle and frontline managers, clinicians, allied healthcare professionals, lay healthcare workers, and health system support staff. We mapped the range of client target populations. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This scoping review provides a systematic, descriptive overview of the heterogeneity in qualitative literature on healthcare workers' perceptions and experience of PHC integration, pointing to diversity with regard to country settings; study types; client populations; healthcare worker populations; and intervention focus, scope, and strategies. It would be important for researchers and decision-makers to understand how the diversity in PHC integration intervention design, implementation, and context may influence how healthcare workers shape PHC integration impact. The classification of studies on the various dimensions (e.g. integration focus, scope, strategy, and type of healthcare workers and client populations) can help researchers to navigate the way the literature varies and for specifying potential questions for future qualitative evidence syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe Moloi
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Carrie Brooke-Sumner
- Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, The South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sara Cooper
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Social & Behavioural Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Willem A Odendaal
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Eliud Akama
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Natalie Leon
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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6
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Moloi H, Daniels K, Brooke-Sumner C, Cooper S, Odendaal WA, Thorne M, Akama E, Leon N. Healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of primary healthcare integration: a scoping review of qualitative evidence. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 7:CD013603. [PMID: 37434293 PMCID: PMC10335778 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd013603.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary healthcare (PHC) integration has been promoted globally as a tool for health sector reform and universal health coverage (UHC), especially in low-resource settings. However, for a range of reasons, implementation and impact remain variable. PHC integration, at its simplest, can be considered a way of delivering PHC services together that sometimes have been delivered as a series of separate or 'vertical' health programmes. Healthcare workers are known to shape the success of implementing reform interventions. Understanding healthcare worker perceptions and experiences of PHC integration can therefore provide insights into the role healthcare workers play in shaping implementation efforts and the impact of PHC integration. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base complicates our understanding of their role in shaping the implementation, delivery, and impact of PHC integration, and the role of contextual factors influencing their responses. OBJECTIVES To map the qualitative literature on healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences of PHC integration to characterise the evidence base, with a view to better inform future syntheses on the topic. SEARCH METHODS We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 28 July 2020. We did not search for grey literature due to the many published records identified. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies with qualitative and mixed methods designs that reported on healthcare worker perceptions and experiences of PHC integration from any country. We excluded settings other than PHC and community-based health care, participants other than healthcare workers, and interventions broader than healthcare services. We used translation support from colleagues and Google Translate software to screen non-English records. Where translation was not feasible we categorised these records as studies awaiting classification. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS For data extraction, we used a customised data extraction form containing items developed using inductive and deductive approaches. We performed independent extraction in duplicate for a sample on 10% of studies allowed for sufficient agreement to be reached between review authors. We analysed extracted data quantitatively by counting the number of studies per indicator and converting these into proportions with additional qualitative descriptive information. Indicators included descriptions of study methods, country setting, intervention type, scope and strategies, implementing healthcare workers, and client target population. MAIN RESULTS The review included 184 studies for analysis based on 191 included papers. Most studies were published in the last 12 years, with a sharp increase in the last five years. Studies mostly employed methods with cross-sectional qualitative design (mainly interviews and focus group discussions), and few used longitudinal or ethnographic (or both) designs. Studies covered 37 countries, with close to an even split in the proportions of high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There were gaps in the geographical spread for both HICs and LMICs and some countries were more dominant, such as the USA for HICs, South Africa for middle-income countries, and Uganda for low-income countries. Methods were mainly cross-sectional observational studies with few longitudinal studies. A minority of studies used an analytical conceptual model to guide the design, implementation, and evaluation of the integration study. The main finding was the various levels of diversity found in the evidence base on PHC integration studies that examined healthcare workers' perceptions and experiences. The review identified six different configurations of health service streams that were being integrated and these were categorised as: mental and behavioural health; HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and sexual reproductive health; maternal, women, and child health; non-communicable diseases; and two broader categories, namely general PHC services, and allied and specialised services. Within the health streams, the review mapped the scope of the interventions as full or partial integration. The review mapped the use of three different integration strategies and categorised these as horizontal integration, service expansion, and service linkage strategies. The wide range of healthcare workers who participated in the implementation of integration interventions was mapped and these included policymakers, senior managers, middle and frontline managers, clinicians, allied healthcare professionals, lay healthcare workers, and health system support staff. We mapped the range of client target populations. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS This scoping review provides a systematic, descriptive overview of the heterogeneity in qualitative literature on healthcare workers' perceptions and experience of PHC integration, pointing to diversity with regard to country settings; study types; client populations; healthcare worker populations; and intervention focus, scope, and strategies. It would be important for researchers and decision-makers to understand how the diversity in PHC integration intervention design, implementation, and context may influence how healthcare workers shape PHC integration impact. The classification of studies on the various dimensions (e.g. integration focus, scope, strategy, and type of healthcare workers and client populations) can help researchers to navigate the way the literature varies and for specifying potential questions for future qualitative evidence syntheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe Moloi
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Carrie Brooke-Sumner
- Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, The South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sara Cooper
- Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
- Social & Behavioural Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Willem A Odendaal
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Eliud Akama
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Natalie Leon
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Murphy K, Berk J, Muhwava-Mbabala L, Booley S, Harbron J, Ware L, Norris S, Zarowsky C, Lambert EV, Levitt NS. Using the COM-B model and Behaviour Change Wheel to develop a theory and evidence-based intervention for women with gestational diabetes (IINDIAGO). BMC Public Health 2023; 23:894. [PMID: 37189143 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15586-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In South Africa, the prevalence of gestational diabetes (GDM) is growing, concomitant with the dramatically increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity among women. There is an urgent need to develop tailored interventions to support women with GDM to mitigate pregnancy risks and to prevent progression to type 2 diabetes post-partum. The IINDIAGO study aims to develop and evaluate an intervention for disadvantaged GDM women attending three large, public-sector hospitals for antenatal care in Cape Town and Soweto, SA. This paper offers a detailed description of the development of a theory-based behaviour change intervention, prior to its preliminary testing for feasibility and efficacy in the health system. METHODS The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and the COM-B model of behaviour change were used to guide the development of the IINDIAGO intervention. This framework provides a systematic, step-by-step process, starting with a behavioural analysis of the problem and making a diagnosis of what needs to change, and then linking this to intervention functions and behaviour change techniques to bring about the desired result. Findings from primary formative research with women with GDM and healthcare providers were a key source of information for this process. RESULTS Key objectives of our planned intervention were 1) to address women's evident need for information and psychosocial support by positioning peer counsellors and a diabetes nurse in the GDM antenatal clinic, and 2) to offer accessible and convenient post-partum screening and counselling for sustained behaviour change among women with GDM by integrating follow-up into the routine immunisation programme at the Well Baby clinic. The peer counsellors and the diabetes nurse were trained in patient-centred, motivational counselling methods. CONCLUSIONS This paper offers a rich description and analysis of designing a complex intervention tailored to the challenging contexts of urban South Africa. The BCW was a valuable tool to use in designing our intervention and tailoring its content and format to our target population and local setting. It provided a robust and transparent theoretical foundation on which to develop our intervention, assisted us in making the hypothesised pathways for behaviour change explicit and enabled us to describe the intervention in standardised, precisely defined terms. Using such tools can contribute to improving rigour in the design of behavioural change interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION First registered on 20/04/2018, Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR): PACTR201805003336174.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Murphy
- Department of Medicine, Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jamie Berk
- Department of Medicine, Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lorrein Muhwava-Mbabala
- Department of Medicine, Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharmilah Booley
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Human Nutrition, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janetta Harbron
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Human Nutrition, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lisa Ware
- Department of Paediatrics, MRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Shane Norris
- Department of Paediatrics, MRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christina Zarowsky
- Public Health Research Centre (CReSP - Centre de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal et du CIUSSS de Centre-Sud de Montréal), Montreal, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Estelle V Lambert
- Department of Human Biology, Division of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Research Centre for Health Through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport (HPALS), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Naomi S Levitt
- Department of Medicine, Chronic Disease Initiative for Africa (CDIA), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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8
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Mwanza J, Kawonga M, Kumwenda A, Gray GE, Mutale W, Doherty T. Health system response to preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV policy changes in Zambia: a health system dynamics analysis of primary health care facilities. Glob Health Action 2022; 15:2126269. [PMID: 36239946 PMCID: PMC9578454 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2022.2126269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Zambia is focusing on attaining HIV epidemic control by 2021, including eliminating Mother to Child Transmission (eMTCT) of HIV. However, there is little evidence to understand frontline healthcare workers’ experience with the policy changes and the readiness of different health system elements to contribute to this goal. Objective To understand frontline healthcare workers’ experience of preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of human immunodeficiency (HIV) policy changes and to explore the health system readiness to respond to rapid changes in PMTCT policy by using the health system dynamic framework. Method We conducted a qualitative study in which 35 frontline healthcare workers were selected and interviewed using a snowball sampling technique. All transcripts were analysed through thematic content analysis and deductive coding. Themes were derived and presented according to the health system dynamics framework. Results Among the ten elements of the health system dynamics framework, service delivery, context, and resources (i.e. infrastructure and supplies, knowledge and information, human resource, and finance) were critical in implementing the continuously evolving PMTCT policies. Furthermore, due to the fragmented primary health care platform in Zambia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were instrumental in ensuring that the PMTCT programme met the demand and requirements of the general population. Frontline healthcare workers who participated in the study described inequity in access to ART services due to the service delivery model employed in the selected study sites. Conclusion The study highlights challenges when policies are implemented without consideration for the readiness, context, and capacity in which the policy is implemented. We offer lessons that can inform implementation of universal health coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART), a strategy many countries have adopted, despite weak health systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Mwanza
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mary Kawonga
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Community Health, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew Kumwenda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Glenda E Gray
- Office of the President, South Africa Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wilbroad Mutale
- School of Public Health, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Tanya Doherty
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Health Systems Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
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9
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Menezes R, Lelijveld N, Wrottesley SV, Brennan E, Mates E, James PT. Integrating Women and Girls' Nutrition Services into Health Systems in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:4488. [PMID: 36364750 PMCID: PMC9657561 DOI: 10.3390/nu14214488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Women's nutrition has been highlighted as a global priority to ensure the health and well-being of both them and future generations. This systematic review summarises the available literature on the integration of nutrition services for girls and women of reproductive age (GWRA) into existing public health systems across low- and middle-income countries, as well as any barriers to integration. We searched PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published since 2011 according to eligibility criteria. A total of 69 articles were included. Evidence suggested that several services for GWRA are well integrated into public health systems, including antenatal care services, nutrition education and counselling, and micronutrient supplementation programmes. However, there was limited evidence on the integration of family planning, adolescent health, and reproductive health services. Barriers to integration fell into five main themes: lack of training and capacity building, poor multisectoral linkages and coordination, weak advocacy, lack of M&E systems, and inequity. We identified a lack of evidence and services for non-pregnant GWRA and for women postpartum. Addressing barriers to integration and gaps in nutrition services for GWRA would increase service coverage and contribute to improving health outcomes for GWRA and future generations.
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10
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Breneol S, Curran JA, Marten R, Minocha K, Johnson C, Wong H, Langlois EV, Wozney L, Vélez CM, Cassidy C, Juvekar S, Rothfus M, Aziato L, Keeping-Burke L, Adjorlolo S, Patiño-Lugo DF. Strategies to adapt and implement health system guidelines and recommendations: a scoping review. Health Res Policy Syst 2022; 20:64. [PMID: 35706039 PMCID: PMC9202131 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-022-00865-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based health system guidelines are pivotal tools to help outline the important financial, policy and service components recommended to achieve a sustainable and resilient health system. However, not all guidelines are readily translatable into practice and/or policy without effective and tailored implementation and adaptation techniques. This scoping review mapped the evidence related to the adaptation and implementation of health system guidelines in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS We conducted a scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. A search strategy was implemented in MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, LILACS (VHL Regional Portal), and Web of Science databases in late August 2020. We also searched sources of grey literature and reference lists of potentially relevant reviews. All findings were reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews. RESULTS A total of 41 studies were included in the final set of papers. Common strategies were identified for adapting and implementing health system guidelines, related barriers and enablers, and indicators of success. The most common types of implementation strategies included education, clinical supervision, training and the formation of advisory groups. A paucity of reported information was also identified related to adaptation initiatives. Barriers to and enablers of implementation and adaptation were reported across studies, including the need for financial sustainability. Common approaches to evaluation were identified and included outcomes of interest at both the patient and health system level. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this review suggest several themes in the literature and identify a need for future research to strengthen the evidence base for improving the implementation and adaptation of health system guidelines in low- and middle-income countries. The findings can serve as a future resource for researchers seeking to evaluate implementation and adaptation of health system guidelines. Our findings also suggest that more effort may be required across research, policy and practice sectors to support the adaptation and implementation of health system guidelines to local contexts and health system arrangements in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Breneol
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab, IWK Health Centre, 8th Floor Children's Site, 5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - Janet A Curran
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
- Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab, IWK Health Centre, 8th Floor Children's Site, 5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada.
| | - Robert Marten
- Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kirti Minocha
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Catie Johnson
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab, IWK Health Centre, 8th Floor Children's Site, 5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - Helen Wong
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Etienne V Langlois
- Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lori Wozney
- Nova Scotia Health Authority Policy and Planning, Dartmouth, Canada
| | - C Marcela Vélez
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Christine Cassidy
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
- Strengthening Transitions in Care Lab, IWK Health Centre, 8th Floor Children's Site, 5850/5980 University Ave, Halifax, NS, B3K 6R8, Canada
| | - Sanjay Juvekar
- Vadu Rural Health Program, KEM Hospital Research Centre, Pune, India
| | - Melissa Rothfus
- W.K. Kellogg Health Science Library, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Lydia Aziato
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lisa Keeping-Burke
- Department of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of New Brunswick, St. John, Canada
| | - Samuel Adjorlolo
- Department of Mental Health Nursing, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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11
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Decouttere C, De Boeck K, Vandaele N. Advancing sustainable development goals through immunization: a literature review. Global Health 2021; 17:95. [PMID: 34446050 PMCID: PMC8390056 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-021-00745-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunization directly impacts health (SDG3) and brings a contribution to 14 out of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty, reducing hunger, and reducing inequalities. Therefore, immunization is recognized to play a central role in reaching the SDGs, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite continuous interventions to strengthen immunization systems and to adequately respond to emergency immunization during epidemics, the immunization-related indicators for SDG3 lag behind in sub-Saharan Africa. Especially taking into account the current Covid19 pandemic, the current performance on the connected SDGs is both a cause and a result of this. METHODS We conduct a literature review through a keyword search strategy complemented with handpicking and snowballing from earlier reviews. After title and abstract screening, we conducted a qualitative analysis of key insights and categorized them according to showing the impact of immunization on SDGs, sustainability challenges, and model-based solutions to these challenges. RESULTS We reveal the leveraging mechanisms triggered by immunization and position them vis-à-vis the SDGs, within the framework of Public Health and Planetary Health. Several challenges for sustainable control of vaccine-preventable diseases are identified: access to immunization services, global vaccine availability to LMICs, context-dependent vaccine effectiveness, safe and affordable vaccines, local/regional vaccine production, public-private partnerships, and immunization capacity/capability building. Model-based approaches that support SDG-promoting interventions concerning immunization systems are analyzed in light of the strategic priorities of the Immunization Agenda 2030. CONCLUSIONS In general terms, it can be concluded that relevant future research requires (i) design for system resilience, (ii) transdisciplinary modeling, (iii) connecting interventions in immunization with SDG outcomes, (iv) designing interventions and their implementation simultaneously, (v) offering tailored solutions, and (vi) model coordination and integration of services and partnerships. The research and health community is called upon to join forces to activate existing knowledge, generate new insights and develop decision-supporting tools for Low-and Middle-Income Countries' health authorities and communities to leverage immunization in its transformational role toward successfully meeting the SDGs in 2030.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Decouttere
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kim De Boeck
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nico Vandaele
- KU Leuven, Access-To-Medicines research Center, Naamsestraat 69, Leuven, Belgium
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12
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Cerveny L, Murthi P, Staud F. HIV in pregnancy: Mother-to-child transmission, pharmacotherapy, and toxicity. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166206. [PMID: 34197912 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 1.3 million pregnant women were living with HIV in 2018. HIV infection is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and all HIV-positive pregnant women, regardless of their clinical stage, should receive a combination of antiretroviral drugs to suppress maternal viral load and prevent vertical fetal infection. Although antiretroviral treatment in pregnant women has undoubtedly minimized mother-to-child transmission of HIV, several uncertainties remain. For example, while pregnancy is accompanied by changes in pharmacokinetic parameters, relevant data from clinical studies are lacking. Similarly, long-term adverse effects of exposure to antiretrovirals on fetuses have not been studied in detail. Here, we review current knowledge on HIV effects on the placenta and developing fetus, recommended antiretroviral regimens, and pharmacokinetic considerations with particular focus on placental transport. We also discuss recent advances in antiretroviral research and potential effects of antiretroviral treatment on placental/fetal development and programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Cerveny
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Padma Murthi
- Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, and Department of Pharmacology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, The Ritchie Centre, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frantisek Staud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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13
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Cunnama L, Abrams EJ, Myer L, Phillips TK, Dugdale CM, Ciaranello AL, Zerbe A, Iyun V, MacQuilkan K, Daries V, Sinanovic E. Provider- and patient-level costs associated with providing antiretroviral therapy during the postpartum phase to women living with HIV in South Africa: A cost comparison of three postpartum models of care. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 25:1553-1567. [PMID: 32959434 PMCID: PMC7756215 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the unit and total costs of three models of ART care for mother-infant pairs during the postpartum phase from provider and patient's perspectives: (i) local standard of care with women in general ART services and infants at well-baby clinics; (ii) women and infants continue to receive care through an integrated maternal and child care approach during the postpartum breastfeeding period; and (iii) referral of women directly to community adherence clubs with their infants receiving care at well-baby clinics. METHODS Capital and recurrent cost data (relating to buildings, furniture, equipment, personnel, overheads, maintenance, medication, diagnostic tests and immunisations) were collected from a provider's perspective at six sites in Cape Town, South Africa. Patient time, collected via time-and-motion observation and questionnaires, was used to estimate patient perspective costs and is comprised of lost productivity time, time spent travelling and the direct cost of travelling. RESULTS The cost of postpartum ART visits under models I, II and III was US $13, US $10 and US $7 per visit for a mother-infant pair, respectively, in 2018 US$. The annual costs for the mother-infant pair utilising the average visit frequencies (a mean of 4.5, 6.9 and 6.7 visits postpartum for models I, II and III, respectively) including costs for infant immunisations, visits, medication and diagnostic tests for both mothers and infants were: I - US $222, II - US $335 and III - US $249. Sensitivity analysis to assess the impact of visit frequency on visit cost showed that Model I annual costs would be most costly if visit frequency was equalised. CONCLUSION This comparative analysis of three models of care provides novel data on unit costs and insight into the costs to provide ART and care to mother-infant pairs during the delicate postpartum phase. These costs may be used to help make decisions around integrated services models and differentiated service delivery for postpartum WLH and their children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Cunnama
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Caitlin M Dugdale
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Andrea L Ciaranello
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Allison Zerbe
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Victoria Iyun
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology & Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim MacQuilkan
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vanessa Daries
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edina Sinanovic
- Health Economics Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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