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Njau PF, Katabaro E, Winters S, Sabasaba A, Hassan K, Joseph B, Maila H, Msasa J, Fahey CA, Packel L, Dow WH, Jewell NP, Ulenga N, Mwenda N, McCoy SI. Impact of financial incentives on viral suppression among adults initiating HIV treatment in Tanzania: a hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Lancet HIV 2024; 11:e586-e597. [PMID: 39098325 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(24)00149-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Small incentives could improve engagement in HIV care. We evaluated the short-term and longer-term effects of financial incentives for visit attendance on viral suppression among adults initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania. METHODS In a type 1 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study, we randomised (1:1) 32 primary care HIV clinics in four Tanzanian regions to usual care (control group) or the intervention (usual care plus ≤6 monthly incentives [22 500 Tanzanian Shillings, about US$10, each], conditional on visit attendance). Adults (aged ≥18 years) initiating ART (<30 days) who owned a mobile phone and had no plans to transfer to another facility were eligible. The primary outcome was retention on ART with viral suppression (<1000 copies per mL) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included retention on ART with viral suppression at 6 months and viral suppression at 6 months and 12 months using a lower threshold (<50 copies per mL). Intent-to-treat analysis and a cluster-based permutation test were used to evaluate the effect of financial incentives on outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04201353, and is completed. FINDINGS Between May 28, 2021, and March 8, 2022, 1990 participants (805 male and 1185 female) were enrolled in the study. 1059 participants were assigned to the intervention group and 931 participants were assigned to the control group. Overall, 1536 (88%) participants at 6 months and 1575 (83%) at 12 months were on ART with viral suppression. At 12 months, 6 months after the intervention ended, 866 (85%) participants in the intervention group compared with 709 (81%) in the control group had viral loads less than 1000 copies per mL (adjusted risk difference [aRD] 4·4 percentage points, 95% CI -1·4 to 10·1, permutation test p=0·35). At 6 months, 858 participants (90%) in the intervention group were on ART with viral loads less than 1000 copies per mL compared with 678 (86%) in the control group (aRD 5·1 percentage points, 95% CI 1·1 to 9·1, permutation test p=0·06). Effects were larger at 6 months and 12 months with the lower threshold for viral suppression, and there was significant effect heterogeneity by region. Adverse events included 106 deaths (56 in the control group and 50 in the intervention group), none related to study participation. INTERPRETATION Short-term incentives for visit attendance had modest, short term benefits on viral suppression and did not harm retention or viral suppression after discontinuation. These findings suggest the need to understand subgroups who would most benefit from incentives to support HIV care. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health. TRANSLATION For the Swahili translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper F Njau
- National AIDS, STIs and Hepatitis Control Programme, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | | | - Solis Winters
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amon Sabasaba
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kassim Hassan
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Babuu Joseph
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Hamza Maila
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Janeth Msasa
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Carolyn A Fahey
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Laura Packel
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - William H Dow
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Nicholas P Jewell
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nzovu Ulenga
- Management and Development for Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Sandra I McCoy
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Loveday M, Hlangu S, Manickchund P, Govender T, Furin J. 'Not taking medications and taking medication, it was the same thing:' perspectives of antiretroviral therapy among people hospitalised with advanced HIV disease. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:819. [PMID: 39138390 PMCID: PMC11320996 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09729-8] [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: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite HIV's evolution to a chronic disease, the burden of advanced HIV disease (AHD, defined as a CD4 count of < 200 cells/uL or WHO clinical Stage 3 or 4 disease), remains high among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) who have previously been prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). As little is known about the experiences of patients hospitalised with AHD, this study sought to discern social forces driving hospitalisation with AHD. Understanding such forces could inform strategies to reduce HIV-related morbidity and mortality. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study with patients hospitalised with AHD who had a history of poor adherence. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 1 and November 30, 2023. The Patient Health Engagement and socio-ecological theoretical models were used to guide a thematic analysis of interview transcripts. RESULTS Twenty individuals participated in the research. Most reported repeated periods of disengagement with HIV services. The major themes identified as driving disengagement included: 1) feeling physically well; 2) life circumstances and relationships; and 3) health system factors, such as clinic staff attitudes and a perceived lack of flexible care. Re-engagement with care was often driven by new physical symptoms but was mediated through life circumstances/relationships and aspects of the health care system. CONCLUSIONS Current practices fail to address the challenges to lifelong engagement in HIV care. A bold strategy for holistic care which involves people living with advanced HIV as active members of the health care team (i.e. 'PLHIV as Partners'), could contribute to ensuring health care services are compatible with their lives, reducing periods of disengagement from care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Loveday
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), South African Medical Research Council, 491 Peter Mokaba Ridge Road, Overport, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- CAPRISA-MRC HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Sindisiwe Hlangu
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), South African Medical Research Council, 491 Peter Mokaba Ridge Road, Overport, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Pariva Manickchund
- Internal Medicine, King Edward VIII Hospital, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thiloshini Govender
- King Dinuzulu Hospital Complex, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jennifer Furin
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Olawepo JO, O'Brien K, Papasodoro J, Coombs PE, Singh N, Gupta S, Bhan A, Olakunde BO, Ezeanolue EE. Retention in Care Among People Living with HIV in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Res Health Sci 2024; 24:e00618. [PMID: 39311101 PMCID: PMC11380731 DOI: 10.34172/jrhs.2024.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2021, Nigeria had an estimated 1.9 million people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) and 1.7 million (90%) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Study Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS This meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. We searched PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Global Index Medicus, and Cochrane Library. Studies were included if they reported on ART retention in care among PLHIV in Nigeria. The random-effects meta-analyses were used to combine the studies that had complete retention data. The I2 statistic was used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. A sensitivity analysis was then done by conducting a leave-one-out analysis. Afterward, data were analyzed using STATA version 18. RESULTS The search yielded 966 unique articles, of which 52 studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis, and four experimental studies were split into their component arms. The total number of study participants was 563,410, and the pooled retention rate was 72% (95% CI: 67%, 76%; I2=99.9%; n=57). Sub-analysis showed that the Southeast region of Nigeria had the highest retention of 86% (95% CI: 78%, 92%), and the South-South had the lowest retention (58%; 95% CI: 38%, 79%). CONCLUSION In Nigeria, the pooled ART retention rate is less than optimal to achieve the UNAIDS goal of 95%, thus developing new models for ART retention is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John O. Olawepo
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research (CTAIR), University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
| | - Katherine O'Brien
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Julia Papasodoro
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Philip E. Coombs
- Department of Research and Instruction, Northeastern University Library, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Neha Singh
- Department of Health Sciences, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Shubhi Gupta
- Department of Health Informatics, Khoury College of Computer Science, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
| | - Aarushi Bhan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Babayemi O. Olakunde
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research (CTAIR), University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
- Department of Population and Community Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Echezona E. Ezeanolue
- Center for Translation and Implementation Research (CTAIR), University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
- Healthy Sunrise Foundation, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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Wagner Z, Wang Z, Stecher C, Karamagi Y, Odiit M, Haberer JE, Linnemayr S. The association between adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression under dolutegravir-based regimens: an observational cohort study from Uganda. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26350. [PMID: 39155425 PMCID: PMC11330848 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26350] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Millions of people living with HIV (PLWH) take oral antiretroviral therapy (ART), which requires a lifetime of consistent medication adherence. The relationship between adherence and poor HIV outcomes is well documented. Newer ART regimens that include dolutegravir (DTG) could be more forgiving, but empirical evidence on the relationship between adherence and viral suppression under DTG is only emerging. METHODS In this observational cohort study (secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial), we used data from 313 ART clients from a large HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Over the 4-year study period (January 2018-January 2022), 91% switched from non-DTG regimens to DTG regimens. We measured adherence using Medication Event Monitoring Systems-caps and extracted prescription information and viral load measures from electronic health records. We estimated unadjusted linear regressions and adjusted models that included individual and time fixed-effects. RESULTS Under non-DTG regimens, 96% of participants were virally suppressed (defined as viral load < 200 copies/ml) when adherence was 90% or higher in the 3 months before viral load measurement. Viral suppression was 32 percentage points lower when adherence was between 0% and 49% (95% CI -0.44, -0.20, p < 0.01), 12 percentage points lower when adherence was between 50% and 79% (95% CI -0.23, -0.02, p < 0.01), and not significantly different when adherence was between 80% and 89% (effect of 0.00, 95% CI -0.06, 0.07, p = 0.81). In contrast, for participants taking DTG, there was no statistically significant difference in viral suppression among any of the four adherence levels; more than 95% were virally suppressed at each adherence level. On average, switching to DTG increased viral suppression by 6 percentage points in our adjusted models (95% CI 0.00, 0.13, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS There was no significant association between adherence levels and viral suppression among PLWH taking DTG regimens, suggesting a high degree of forgiveness for missed doses. The use of DTG should be prioritized over older regimens, particularly for those with low adherence. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT03494777.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Wagner
- Center for Economic and Social ResearchUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Department of EconomicsSociology and StatisticsRAND CorporationSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
- Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Zetianyu Wang
- Department of EconomicsSociology and StatisticsRAND CorporationSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
- Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Chad Stecher
- College of Health SolutionsArizona State UniversityPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | | | | | - Jessica E. Haberer
- Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sebastian Linnemayr
- Department of EconomicsSociology and StatisticsRAND CorporationSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
- Pardee RAND Graduate SchoolSanta MonicaCaliforniaUSA
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Robson I, Mphande M, Lee J, Hubbard JA, Daniels J, Phiri K, Chikuse E, Coates TJ, Cornell M, Dovel K. Implementing a male-specific ART counselling curriculum: a quality assessment with healthcare workers in Malawi. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26270. [PMID: 39039724 PMCID: PMC11263468 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26270] [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: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is little HIV counselling that directly meets the needs of men in Eastern and Southern Africa, limiting men's knowledge about the benefits of HIV treatment and how to overcome barriers to engagement, contributing to poorer HIV-related outcomes than women. Male-specific approaches are needed to improve men's outcomes but may be difficult for healthcare workers (HCWs) to implement with fidelity and quality in low-resource settings. We developed a male-specific counselling curriculum which was implemented by male HCWs and then conducted a mixed-methods quality assessment. METHODS We audio-recorded counselling sessions to assess the quality of implementation (n = 50) by male HCWs from two cadres (nurse, n = 10 and lay cadre, n = 10) and conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with HCWs at 6 and 9 months after rollout to understand barriers and facilitators to implementation. Counselling sessions and FGDs were translated, transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis adapted from WHO Quality Counselling Guidelines. We assessed if sessions were respectful, informative, interactive, motivating and included tailored action plans for overcoming barriers to care. All data were collected September 2021-June 2022. RESULTS All sessions used respectful, non-judgemental language. Sessions were highly interactive with most HCWs frequently asking open-ended questions (n = 46, 92%) and often incorporating motivational explanations of how antiretroviral therapy contributes to life goals (n = 42, 84%). Few sessions included individually tailored action plans for clients to overcome barriers to care (n = 9, 18%). New counselling themes were well covered; however, occasionally themes of self-compassion and safe sex were not covered during sessions (n = 16 and n = 11). HCWs believed that having male HCWs conduct counselling, ongoing professional development and keeping detailed counselling notes facilitated quality implementation. Perceived barriers included curriculum length and client hesitancy to participate in action plan development. Findings were similar across cadres. CONCLUSIONS Implementing high-quality male-specific counselling using male nurses and/or lay cadre is feasible. Efforts to utilize lay cadres should be prioritized, particularly in low-resource settings. Programmes should provide comprehensive job aids to support HCWs. Ongoing training and professional development are needed to (1) improve HCWs' skills in tailored action plans, and (2) sensitize HCWs to the need for self-compassion within male clients to promote holistic sexual health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella Robson
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Implementation Science DepartmentPartners in HopeLilongweMalawi
| | - Misheck Mphande
- Implementation Science DepartmentPartners in HopeLilongweMalawi
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Julie Anne Hubbard
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Joseph Daniels
- Edson College of Nursing and Health InnovationArizona State UniversityPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Khumbo Phiri
- Implementation Science DepartmentPartners in HopeLilongweMalawi
| | - Elijah Chikuse
- Implementation Science DepartmentPartners in HopeLilongweMalawi
| | - Thomas J. Coates
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- University of California Global Health InstituteSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & ResearchSchool of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Implementation Science DepartmentPartners in HopeLilongweMalawi
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Sundararajan R, Hooda M, Lai Y, Nansera D, Audet C, Downs J, Lee MH, McNairy M, Muyindike W, Mwanga-Amumpaire J. Traditional healer support to improve HIV viral suppression in rural Uganda (Omuyambi): study protocol for a cluster randomized hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. Trials 2024; 25:430. [PMID: 38956628 PMCID: PMC11218186 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08286-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rural African people living with HIV face significant challenges in entering and remaining in HIV care. In rural Uganda, for example, there is a threefold higher prevalence of HIV compared to the national average and lower engagement throughout the HIV continuum of care. There is an urgent need for appropriate interventions to improve entry and retention in HIV care for rural Ugandans with HIV. Though many adults living with HIV in rural areas prioritize seeking care services from traditional healers over formal clinical services, healers have not been integrated into HIV care programs. The Omuyambi trial is investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial support delivered by traditional healers as an adjunct to standard HIV care versus standard clinic-based HIV care alone. Additionally, we are evaluating the implementation process and outcomes, following the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. METHODS This cluster randomized hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation trial will be conducted among 44 traditional healers in two districts of southwestern Uganda. Healers were randomized 1:1 into study arms, where healers in the intervention arm will provide 12 months of psychosocial support to adults with unsuppressed HIV viral loads receiving care at their practices. A total of 650 adults with unsuppressed HIV viral loads will be recruited from healer clusters in the Mbarara and Rwampara districts. The primary study outcome is HIV viral load measured at 12 months after enrollment, which will be analyzed by intention-to-treat. Secondary clinical outcome measures include (re)initiation of HIV care, antiretroviral therapy adherence, and retention in care. The implementation outcomes of adoption, fidelity, appropriateness, and acceptability will be evaluated through key informant interviews and structured surveys at baseline, 3, 9, 12, and 24 months. Sustainability will be measured through HIV viral load measurements at 24 months following enrollment. DISCUSSION The Omuyambi trial is evaluating an approach that could improve HIV outcomes by incorporating previously overlooked community lay supporters into the HIV cascade of care. These findings could provide effectiveness and implementation evidence to guide the development of policies and programs aimed at improving HIV outcomes in rural Uganda and other countries where healers play an essential role in community health. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05943548. Registered on July 5, 2023. The current protocol version is 4.0 (September 29, 2023).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Misha Hooda
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Yifan Lai
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Denis Nansera
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Carolyn Audet
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Jennifer Downs
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Myung Hee Lee
- Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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Hoffmann CJ, Shearer K, Kekana B, Kerrigan D, Moloantoa T, Golub JE, Variava E, Martinson NA. Reducing HIV-Associated Post-Hospital Mortality Through Home-Based Care in South Africa: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Infect Dis 2024; 78:1256-1263. [PMID: 38051643 PMCID: PMC11093672 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad727] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Twenty-three percent of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) die within 6 months of hospital discharge. We tested the hypothesis whether a series of structured home visits could reduce mortality. METHODS We designed a disease neutral home visit package with up to 6 home visits starting 1-week post-hospitalization and every 2 weeks thereafter. The home visit team used a structured assessment algorithm to evaluate and triage social and medical needs of the participant and provide nutritional support. We compared all-cause mortality 6 months following discharge for the intervention compared to usual care in a pilot randomized trial conducted in South Africa. To inform potential scale-up we also included and separately analyzed a group of people without HIV (PWOH). RESULTS We enrolled 125 people with HIV and randomized them 1:1 to the home visit intervention or usual care. Fourteen were late exclusions because of death prior to discharge or delayed discharge leaving 111 for analysis. The median age was 39 years, 31% were men; and 70% had advanced HIV disease. At 6 months among PWH 4 (7.3%) in the home visit arm and 10 (17.9%) in the usual care arm (P = .09) had died. Among the 70 PWOH enrolled overall 6-month mortality was 10.1%. Of those in the home visit arm, 91% received at least one home visit. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated feasibility of delivering post-hospital home visits and demonstrated preliminary efficacy among PWH with a substantial, but not statistically significant, effect size (59% reduction in mortality). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related challenges resulted in under-enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Hoffmann
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kate Shearer
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Boitumelo Kekana
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Deanna Kerrigan
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tumelo Moloantoa
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jonathan E Golub
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ebrahim Variava
- Department of Internal Medicine, Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex, North West Department of Health, Klerksdorp, South Africa
| | - Neil A Martinson
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Killian C, West RL, Orrell C, Gifford A, Haberer JE, Halim N, Jennings L, Berkowitz N, Fourie S, Sabin L. Negative clinic experiences as a barrier to care for people with HIV and their impact on patient preferences for intervention support: a qualitative study in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Care 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38676915 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2346255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
We conducted qualitative research among people with HIV (PWH) and care providers in Cape Town, South Africa to understand the impact of negative clinic experiences on adherence and support preferences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 41 patients with an unsuppressed viral load or a treatment gap, and focus group discussions with physicians, nurses, counselors, and community health workers. Questions addressed treatment history and adherence barriers, then participants evaluated evidence-based adherence interventions for potential scale up. Inductive analysis examined care experiences and corresponding preference for intervention options. More than half of PWH described negative experiences during clinic visits, including mistreatment by staff and clinic administration issues, and these statements were corroborated by providers. Those with negative experiences in care stated that fear of mistreatment led to nonadherence. Most patients with negative experiences preferred peer support groups or check-in texts to clinic-based interventions. We found that PWH's negative clinic experiences were a primary reason behind nonadherence and influenced preferences for support mechanisms. These findings emphasize the importance of HIV treatment adherence interventions at multiple levels both in and outside of the clinic, and providing more comprehensive training to providers to better serve PWH in adherence counseling, especially those who are most vulnerable..
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Killian
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca L West
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Catherine Orrell
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and the Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Allen Gifford
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Law, Policy, and Management, BU School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica E Haberer
- Center of Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nafisa Halim
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Jennings
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and the Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Stephanie Fourie
- Western Cape Government, Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lora Sabin
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Klabbers RE, Parrish C, Iraguha P, Ntuyenabo MK, Ajidiru S, Nshimiyimana V, Caroline K, Faustin Z, Sveum EM, Muwonge TR, O’Laughlin KN. Characterizing Mobility and its Association with HIV Outcomes in Refugee Settlements in Uganda. Ann Glob Health 2024; 90:23. [PMID: 38550610 PMCID: PMC10976981 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4367] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background A better understanding of refugee mobility is needed to optimize HIV care in refugee settlements. Objectives We aimed to characterize mobility patterns among people living with HIV in refugee settlements in Uganda and evaluate the association between mobility and retention in HIV care. Methods Refugees and Ugandan nationals accessing HIV services at seven health centers in refugee settlements across Uganda, with access to a phone, were recruited and followed for six months. Participants received an intake survey and monthly phone surveys on mobility and HIV. Clinic visit and viral suppression data were extracted from clinic registers. Mobility and HIV data were presented descriptively, and an alluvial plot was generated characterizing mobility for participants' most recent trip. Bivariate Poisson regression models were used to describe the associations between long-term mobility (≥1 continuous month away in the past year) and demographic characteristics, retention (≥1 clinic visit/6 months) and long-term mobility, and retention and general mobility (during any follow-up month: ≥2 trips, travel outside the district or further, or spending >1-2 weeks (8-14 nights) away). Findings Mobility data were provided by 479 participants. At baseline, 67 participants (14%) were considered long-term mobile. Male sex was associated with an increased probability of long-term mobility (RR 2.02; 95%CI: 1.30-3.14, p < 0.01). In follow-up, 185 participants (60% of respondents) were considered generally mobile. Reasons for travel included obtaining food or supporting farming activities (45% of trips) and work or trade (33% of trips). Retention in HIV care was found for 417 (87%) participants. Long-term mobility was associated with a 14% (RR 0.86; 95%CI: 0.75-0.98) lower likelihood of retention (p = 0.03). Conclusions Refugees and Ugandan nationals accessing HIV care in refugee settlements frequently travel to support their survival needs. Mobility is associated with inferior retention and should be considered in interventions to optimize HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin E. Klabbers
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Canada Parrish
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Patient Iraguha
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Scovia Ajidiru
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Kampire Caroline
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Zikama Faustin
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Elinor M. Sveum
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | | | - Kelli N. O’Laughlin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Burke RM, Rickman HM, Pinto C, Ehrenkranz P, Choko A, Ford N. Reasons for disengagement from antiretroviral care in the era of "Treat All" in low- or middle-income countries: a systematic review. J Int AIDS Soc 2024; 27:e26230. [PMID: 38494657 PMCID: PMC10945039 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26230] [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: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Disengagement from antiretroviral therapy (ART) care is an important reason why people living with HIV do not achieve viral load suppression become unwell. METHODS We searched two databases and conference abstracts from January 2015 to December 2022 for studies which reported reasons for disengagement from ART care. We included quantitative (mainly surveys) and qualitative (in-depth interviews or focus groups) studies conducted after "treat all" or "Option B+" policy adoption. We used an inductive approach to categorize reasons: we report how often reasons were reported in studies and developed a conceptual framework for reasons. RESULTS We identified 21 studies which reported reasons for disengaging from ART care in the "Treat All" era, mostly in African countries: six studies in the general population of persons living with HIV, nine in pregnant or postpartum women and six in selected populations (one each in people who use drugs, isolated indigenous communities, men, women, adolescents and men who have sex with men). Reasons reported were: side effects or other antiretroviral tablet issues (15 studies); lack of perceived benefit of ART (13 studies); psychological, mental health or drug use (13 studies); concerns about stigma or confidentiality (14 studies); lack of social or family support (12 studies); socio-economic reasons (16 studies); health facility-related reasons (11 studies); and acute proximal events such as unexpected mobility (12 studies). The most common reasons for disengagement were unexpected events, socio-economic reasons, ART side effects or lack of perceived benefit of ART. Conceptually, studies described underlying vulnerability factors (individual, interpersonal, structural and healthcare) but that often unexpected proximal events (e.g. unanticipated mobility) acted as the trigger for disengagement to occur. DISCUSSION People disengage from ART care for individual, interpersonal, structural and healthcare reasons, and these reasons overlap and interact with each other. While HIV programmes cannot predict and address all events that may lead to disengagement, an approach that recognizes that such shocks will happen could help. CONCLUSIONS Health services should focus on ways to encourage clients to engage with care by making ART services welcoming, person-centred and more flexible alongside offering adherence interventions, such as counselling and peer support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael M. Burke
- Clinical Research DepartmentLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research ProgrammeQueen Elizabeth Central HospitalBlantyreMalawi
| | - Hannah M. Rickman
- Clinical Research DepartmentLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research ProgrammeQueen Elizabeth Central HospitalBlantyreMalawi
| | - Clarice Pinto
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs ProgrammeWorld Health OrganisationGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Peter Ehrenkranz
- Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Augustine Choko
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Clinical Research ProgrammeQueen Elizabeth Central HospitalBlantyreMalawi
- International Public Health DepartmentLiverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | - Nathan Ford
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STIs ProgrammeWorld Health OrganisationGenevaSwitzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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11
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Owachi D, Akatukunda P, Nanyanzi DS, Katwesigye R, Wanyina S, Muddu M, Kawuma S, Kalema N, Kabugo C, Semitala FC. Mortality and associated factors among people living with HIV admitted at a tertiary-care hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:239. [PMID: 38388345 PMCID: PMC10885437 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09112-7] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital admission outcomes for people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource-limited settings are understudied. We describe in-hospital mortality and associated clinical-demographic factors among PLHIV admitted at a tertiary-level public hospital in Uganda. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis of routinely collected data for PLHIV admitted at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital between March 2020 and March 2023. We estimated the proportion of PLHIV who had died during hospitalization and performed logistic regression modelling to identify predictors of mortality. RESULTS Of the 5,827 hospitalized PLHIV, the median age was 39 years (interquartile range [IQR] 31-49) and 3,293 (56.51%) were female. The median CD4 + cell count was 109 cells/µL (IQR 25-343). At admission, 3,710 (63.67%) were active on antiretroviral therapy (ART); 1,144 (19.63%) had interrupted ART > 3 months and 973 (16.70%) were ART naïve. In-hospital mortality was 26% (1,524) with a median time-to-death of 3 days (IQR 1-7). Factors associated with mortality (with adjusted odds ratios) included ART interruption, 1.33, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.13-1.57, p 0.001; CD4 + counts ≤ 200 cells/µL 1.59, 95%CI 1.33-1.91, p < 0.001; undocumented CD4 + cell count status 2.08, 95%CI 1.73-2.50, p < 0.001; impaired function status 7.35, 95%CI 6.42-8.41, p < 0.001; COVID-19 1.70, 95%CI 1.22-2.37, p 0.002; liver disease 1.77, 95%CI 1.36-2.30, p < 0.001; co-infections 1.53, 95%CI 1.32-1.78, p < 0.001; home address > 20 km from hospital 1.23, 95%CI 1.04-1.46, p 0.014; hospital readmission 0.7, 95%CI 0.56-0.88, p 0.002; chronic lung disease 0.62, 95%CI 0.41-0.92, p 0.019; and neurologic disease 0.46, 95%CI 0.32-0.68, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION One in four admitted PLHIV die during hospitalization. Identification of risk factors (such as ART interruption, function impairment, low/undocumented CD4 + cell count), early diagnosis and treatment of co-infections and liver disease could improve outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darius Owachi
- Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, P.O. BOX 6588, Uganda.
| | | | | | | | | | - Martin Muddu
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Samuel Kawuma
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Charles Kabugo
- Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, P.O. BOX 6588, Uganda
| | - Fred C Semitala
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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12
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Dibba Y, Kachimanga C, Gassimu J, Kulinkina AV, Bukhman G, Gilbert HN, Adler AJ, Mukherjee JS. Non-communicable disease care in Sierra Leone: a mixed-methods study of the drivers and barriers to retention in care for hypertension. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e077326. [PMID: 38346892 PMCID: PMC10862328 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyse routinely collected data on the drivers and barriers to retention in chronic care for patients with hypertension in the Kono District of Sierra Leone. DESIGN Convergent mixed-methods study. SETTING Koidu Government Hospital, a secondary-level hospital in Kono District. PARTICIPANTS We conducted a descriptive analysis of key variables for 1628 patients with hypertension attending the non-communicable disease (NCD) clinic between February 2018 and August 2019 and qualitative interviews with 21 patients and 7 staff to assess factors shaping patients' retention in care at the clinic. OUTCOMES Three mutually exclusive outcomes were defined for the study period: adherence to the treatment protocol (attending >80% of scheduled visits); loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) (consecutive 6 months of missed appointments) and engaged in (but not fully adherent) with treatment (<80% attendance). RESULTS 57% of patients were adherent, 20% were engaged in treatment and 22% were LTFU. At enrolment, in the unadjusted variables, patients with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures had better adherence than those with lower blood pressures (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.009, p=0.004 and OR 1.008, 95% CI 1.004 to 1.012, p<0.001, respectively). After adjustment, there were 14% lower odds of adherence to appointments associated with a 1 month increase in duration in care (OR 0.862, 95% CI 0.801 to 0.927, p<0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted the following drivers for retention in care: high-quality education sessions, free medications and good interpersonal interactions. Challenges to seeking care included long wait times, transport costs and misunderstanding of the long-term requirement for hypertension care. CONCLUSION Free medications, high-quality services and health education may be effective ways of helping NCD patients stay engaged in care. Facility and socioeconomic factors can pose challenges to retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusupha Dibba
- Clinical, Partners In Health, Freetown, Kono, Sierra Leone
- Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Joseph Gassimu
- Clinical, Partners In Health, Freetown, Kono, Sierra Leone
| | - Alexandra V Kulinkina
- Clinical, Partners In Health, Freetown, Kono, Sierra Leone
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil Switzerland, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gene Bukhman
- Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Integration Science, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hannah N Gilbert
- Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alma J Adler
- Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joia S Mukherjee
- Harvard Medical School Blavatnik Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Clinical, Partners In Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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13
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Mody A, Sohn AH, Iwuji C, Tan RKJ, Venter F, Geng EH. HIV epidemiology, prevention, treatment, and implementation strategies for public health. Lancet 2024; 403:471-492. [PMID: 38043552 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01381-8] [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] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The global HIV response has made tremendous progress but is entering a new phase with additional challenges. Scientific innovations have led to multiple safe, effective, and durable options for treatment and prevention, and long-acting formulations for 2-monthly and 6-monthly dosing are becoming available with even longer dosing intervals possible on the horizon. The scientific agenda for HIV cure and remission strategies is moving forward but faces uncertain thresholds for success and acceptability. Nonetheless, innovations in prevention and treatment have often failed to reach large segments of the global population (eg, key and marginalised populations), and these major disparities in access and uptake at multiple levels have caused progress to fall short of their potential to affect public health. Moving forward, sharper epidemiologic tools based on longitudinal, person-centred data are needed to more accurately characterise remaining gaps and guide continued progress against the HIV epidemic. We should also increase prioritisation of strategies that address socio-behavioural challenges and can lead to effective and equitable implementation of existing interventions with high levels of quality that better match individual needs. We review HIV epidemiologic trends; advances in HIV prevention, treatment, and care delivery; and discuss emerging challenges for ending the HIV epidemic over the next decade that are relevant for general practitioners and others involved in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaloke Mody
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Annette H Sohn
- TREAT Asia, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Collins Iwuji
- Department of Global Health and Infection, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK; Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Rayner K J Tan
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China; Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Elvin H Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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14
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Dadi TL, Wiemers AMC, Tegene Y, Medhin G, Spigt M. Experiences of people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries and their perspectives in self-management: a meta-synthesis. AIDS Res Ther 2024; 21:7. [PMID: 38297363 PMCID: PMC10829476 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-024-00595-7] [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: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Availability of anti-retroviral treatment has changed HIV in to a manageable chronic disease, making effective self-management essential. However, only a few studies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reported experiences of people living with HIV (PLWH) on self-management. METHODS This meta-synthesis of qualitative studies investigated perspectives of PLWH in LMICs on self-management. Various databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, and CINHAL, were searched through June 2022. Relevant additional articles were also included using cross-referencing of the identified papers. We used a thematic synthesis guided by the "Model of the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory" (IFSMT). RESULT PLWH in LIMICs experience a variety of challenges that restrict their options for effective self-management and compromises their quality of life. The main ones include: misconceptions about the disease, poor self-efficacy and self-management skills, negative social perceptions, and a non-patient-centered model of care that reduces the role of patients. The experiences that influenced the ability to practice self-management are summarized in context (the condition itself, physical and environmental factors, individual and family factors) and process factors (knowledge and beliefs, relationship with the health care worker, self-regulation skills and abilities, and social facilitation). Context and process greatly impacted quality of life through the self-management practices of the patients. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION PLWH encounter multiple challenges, are not empowered enough to manage their own chronic condition, and their needs beyond medical care are not addressed by service providers. Self-management practice of these patients is poor, and service providers do not follow service delivery approaches that empower patients to be at the center of their own care and to achieve an effective and sustainable outcome from treatment. These findings call for a comprehensive well thought self-management interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegene Legese Dadi
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
| | - Anja M C Wiemers
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Yadessa Tegene
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine & Health Science, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Girmay Medhin
- Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- MERQ Consultancy PLC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Mark Spigt
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Community Medicine, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsö, Norway
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15
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Ayieko J, Charlebois ED, Maeri I, Owino L, Thorp M, Bukusi EA, Petersen ML, Kamya MR, Havlir DV, Camlin CS. Improving care engagement for mobile people living with HIV in rural western Kenya. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288087. [PMID: 37992063 PMCID: PMC10664942 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiretroviral therapy (ART) assures major gains in health outcomes among people living with HIV, however, this benefit may not be realized by all due to care interruptions. Mobile populations comprise a subgroup that is likely to have sub-optimal care engagement, resulting in discontinuation of ART. We sought to evaluate the barriers to care engagement among highly mobile individuals living with HIV and explore options aimed at improving engagement in care for this group. METHODS Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted in 2020 among a purposive sample of twelve persons living with HIV and eight health care providers in western Kenya, within a mixed methods study of mobility in communities participating in the SEARCH trial (NCT01864603). We explored the barriers to care engagement among mobile individuals living with HIV and explored different options aimed at enhancing care engagement. These included options such as a coded card containing treatment details, alternative drug packaging to conceal drug identity, longer refills to cover travel period, wrist bands with data storage capability to enable data transfer and "warm handoff" by providers to new clinics upon transfer. Data were inductively analyzed to understand the barriers and acceptability of potential interventions to address them. RESULTS Stigma and lack of disclosure, rigid work schedules, and unpredictability of travel were major barriers to care engagement for highly mobile individuals living with HIV. Additionally, lack of flexibility in clinic schedules and poor provider attitude were identified as health-system-associated barriers to care engagement. Options that enhance flexibility, convenience and access to care were viewed as the most effective means of addressing the barriers to care by both patients and providers. The most preferred option was a coded card with treatment details followed by alternative drug packaging to conceal drug identity due to stigma and longer refills to cover travel periods. CONCLUSION Highly mobile individuals living with HIV desire responsive, flexible, convenient and patient-centered care delivery models to enhance care engagement. They embraced simple health delivery improvements such as coded cards, alternative drug packaging and longer refills to address challenges of mobility.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Ayieko
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edwin D. Charlebois
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Irene Maeri
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lawrence Owino
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Marguerite Thorp
- Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Bukusi
- Center for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Maya L. Petersen
- School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Moses R. Kamya
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Diane V. Havlir
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Carol S. Camlin
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Dovel K, Paneno R, Balakasi K, Hubbard J, Magaço A, Phiri K, Coates T, Cornell M. Health care workers' perceptions and bias toward men as HIV clients in Malawi and Mozambique: A qualitative study. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001356. [PMID: 37874781 PMCID: PMC10597488 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Men are underrepresented in HIV services throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about health care worker (HCW) perceptions of men as clients, which may directly affect the quality of care provided, and HCWs' buy-in for male-specific interventions. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in 2016 with HCWs from 15 facilities across Malawi and Mozambique and were originally conducted to evaluate barriers to universal treatment (not HCW bias). FGDs were conducted in local languages, recorded, translated to English, and transcribed. For this study, we focused on HCW perceptions of men as HIV clients and any explicit bias against men, using inductive and deductive coding in Atlas.ti v.8, and analyzed using constant comparison methods. 20 FGDs with 154 HCWs working in HIV treatment clinics were included. Median age was 30 years, 59% were female, and 43% were providers versus support staff. HCWs held strong explicit bias against men as clients. Most HCWs believed men could easily navigate HIV services due to their elevated position within society, regardless of facility-level barriers faced. Men were described in pejorative terms as ill-informed and difficult clients who were absent from health systems. Men were largely seen as "bad clients" due to assumptions about men's 'selfish' and 'prideful' nature, resulting in little HCW sympathy for men's poor use of care. Our study highlights a strong explicit bias against men as HIV clients, even when gender and bias were not the focus of data collection. As a result, HCWs may have little motivation to implement male-specific interventions or improve provider-patient interactions with men. Framing men as problematic places undue responsibility on individual men while minimizing institutional barriers that uniquely affect them. Bias in local, national, and global discourses about men must be immediately addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Dovel
- University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Partners in Hope Medical Center, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Rose Paneno
- University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | | | - Julie Hubbard
- University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Amílcar Magaço
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Manhiça Health Research Center, Manhiça, Mozambique
| | - Khumbo Phiri
- Partners in Hope Medical Center, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Thomas Coates
- University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Research, School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mphande M, Robson I, Hubbard J, Chikuse E, Lungu E, Phiri K, Cornell M, Phiri S, Coates TJ, Dovel K. Developing a male-specific counselling curriculum for HIV treatment in Malawi. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.08.23293583. [PMID: 37609294 PMCID: PMC10441488 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.08.23293583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Men living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa have sub-optimal engagement in antiretroviral therapy (ART) Programs. Generic ART counselling curriculum in Malawi does not meet men's needs and should be tailored to men. We developed a male-specific ART counselling curriculum, adapted from the Malawi Ministry of Health (MOH) curriculum based on literature review of men's needs and motivations for treatment. The curriculum was piloted through group counselling with men in 6 communities in Malawi, with focus group discussion (FGD) conducted immediately afterward (n=85 men) to assess knowledge of ART, motivators and barriers to care, and perceptions of the male-specific curriculum. Data were analysed in Atlas.ti using grounded theory. We conducted a half-day meeting with MOH and partner stakeholders to finalize the curriculum (n=5). The male-specific curriculum adapted three existing topics from generic counselling curriculum (status disclosure, treatment as prevention, and ART side effects) and added four new topics (how treatment contributes to men's goals, feeling healthy on treatment, navigating health systems, and self-compassion for the cyclical nature of lifelong treatment. Key motivators for men were embedded throughout the curriculum and included: family wellbeing, having additional children, financially stability, and earning/keeping respect. During the pilot, men reported having little understanding of how ART contributed to their personal goals prior to the male-specific counselling. Men were most interested in additional information about treatment as prevention, benefits of disclosure/social support beyond their sexual partner, how to navigate health systems, and side effects with new regimens. Respondents stated that the male-specific counselling challenged the idea that men were incapable of overcoming treatment barriers and lifelong medication. Male-specific ART counselling curriculum is needed to address men's specific needs. In Malawi context, topics should include: how treatment contributes to men's goals, navigating health systems, self-compassion/patience for lifelong treatment, and taking treatment while healthy.
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18
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Onambele AAS, Yuya F, Schouame AA, Nolna SK, Socpa A. Low antiretroviral therapy uptake and low early retention among pregnant women who tested positive for human immunodeficiency virus in informal health centers in urban and semi-rural settings in Cameroon: a prospective cohort study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1188749. [PMID: 37601184 PMCID: PMC10432685 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1188749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Despite the efforts of Cameroon's Ministry of Public Health against informal health centers (IHCs) because of their illegitimacy, the number of IHCs is increasing in Cameroon. Most of these IHCs have antenatal care services and screen pregnant women for HIV. However, nothing is known about the subsequent outcomes of those who tested positive for HIV. This study aimed to assess the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in ART-naïve pregnant women screened HIV positive in IHCs within three months of diagnosis and their ART retention at three months post-initiation. In addition, we sought to identify the factors associated with ART non-initiation in this population. Methods May 01, 2019 to August 31, 2020, we carried out a prospective cohort study of ART-naïve pregnant women who attended their first antenatal care visit and screened HIV positive at IHCs in the cities of Douala and Ebolowa in Cameroon. Standardized questionnaires were used to interview consenting participants at three points: the day of the delivery of the antenatal HIV test result, three months later, and three months after ART initiation. The data collected were entered into KoboCollect and analyzed using SPSS V23.0 software. The Chi-square test was used to compare proportions, Kaplan Meier techniques and Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate retention in ART and identify factors associated with ART non-retention, respectively. Results and discussion A total of 85 ART-naïve pregnant women living with HIV were enrolled in the study. The median age and gestational age at the first antenatal care visit were 29 years (interquartile range (IQR), 2333.5) and 28weeks of amenorrhea (IQR, 2032), respectively. Only 34% (29/85) initiated ART, and 65.5% (19/29) of the initiators were retained in ART three months later. Lack of perceived self-efficacy to initiate ART (adjust Hazard Ratio = 5.57, 90% CI: 1.29 to 24.06), increased the probability of not be retaining in ART by any time during three months post initiation. Given the low ART uptake and the low retention in care among pregnant women living with HIV screened in IHCs, PMTCT policies in Cameroon should pay greater attention to this population, to facilitate their continuum of PMTCT care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Amboua Schouame Onambele
- Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Catholic University of Central Africa, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement France, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Sylvie Kwedi Nolna
- Capacity for Leadership Excellence and Research (CLEAR), Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Antoine Socpa
- Center for Applied Social Sciences, Research and Training (CASS-RT), Yaoundé, Cameroon
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Dovel K, Balakasi K, Hubbard J, Phiri K, Nichols BE, Coates TJ, Kulich M, Chikuse E, Phiri S, Long LC, Hoffman RM, Choko AT. Identifying efficient linkage strategies for men (IDEaL): a study protocol for an individually randomised control trial. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e070896. [PMID: 37438067 PMCID: PMC10347494 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Men in sub-Saharan Africa are less likely than women to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) and more likely to have longer cycles of disengagement from ART programmes. Treatment interventions that meet the unique needs of men are needed, but they must be scalable. We will test the impact of various interventions on 6-month retention in ART programmes among men living with HIV who are not currently engaged in care (never initiated ART and ART clients with treatment interruption). METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a programmatic, individually randomised, non-blinded, controlled trial. 'Non-engaged' men will be randomised 1:1:1 to either a low-intensity, high-intensity or stepped arm. The low-intensity intervention includes one-time male-specific counseling+facility navigation only. The high-intensity intervention offers immediate outside-facility ART initiation+male-specific counselling+facility navigation for follow-up ART visits. In the stepped arm, intervention activities build in intensity over time for those who do not re-engage in care with the following steps: (1) one-time male-specific counselling+facility navigation→(2) ongoing male mentorship+facility navigation→(3) outside-facility ART initiation+male-specific counselling+facility navigation for follow-up ART visits. Our primary outcome is 6-month retention in care. Secondary outcomes include cost-effectiveness and rates of adverse events. The primary analysis will be intention to treat with all eligible men in the denominator and all men retained in care at 6 months in the numerator. The proportions achieving the primary outcome will be compared with a risk ratio, corresponding 95% CI and p value computed using binomial regression accounting for clustering at facility level. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The Institutional Review Board of the University of California, Los Angeles and the National Health Sciences Research Council in Malawi have approved the trial protocol. Findings will be disseminated rapidly in national and international forums and in peer-reviewed journals and are expected to provide urgently needed information to other countries and donors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05137210. DATE AND VERSION 5 May 2023; version 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Implementation Science, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kelvin Balakasi
- Department of Implementation Science, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Julie Hubbard
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Khumbo Phiri
- Department of Implementation Science, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Brooke E Nichols
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas J Coates
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Global Health Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michal Kulich
- Department of Probability and Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Elijah Chikuse
- Department of Implementation Science, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Sam Phiri
- Department of Implementation Science, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Lawrence C Long
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Risa M Hoffman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Augustine T Choko
- Clinical Research Programme, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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20
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Hémono R, Kelly NK, Fahey CA, Hassan K, Msasa J, Mfaume RS, Njau PF, Dow WH, McCoy SI. Financial incentives to improve re-engagement in HIV care: results from a randomized pilot study. AIDS Care 2023; 35:935-941. [PMID: 35187992 PMCID: PMC9388698 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2041164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of financial incentives to motivate re-engagement in HIV care in Shinyanga, Tanzania. METHODS Out-of-care people living with HIV (PLHIV) were identified from medical records in four clinics and home-based care providers (HBCs) from April 13, 2018 to March 3, 2020. Shinyanga Region residents, ≥18 years, who were disengaged from care were randomized 1:1 to a financial incentive (∼$10 USD) or the standard of care (SOC), stratified by site, and followed for 180 days. Primary outcomes were feasibility (located PLHIV who agreed to discuss the study), acceptability (enrollment among eligibles), and re-engagement in care (clinic visit within 90 days). RESULTS HBCs located 469/1,309 (35.8%) out-of-care PLHIV. Of these, 215 (45.8%) were preliminarily determined to be disengaged from care, 201 (93.5%) agreed to discuss the study, and 157 eligible (100%) enrolled. Within 90 days, 71 (85.5%) PLHIV in the incentive arm re-engaged in care vs. 58 (78.4%) in the SOC (Adjusted Risk Difference [ARD] = 0.08, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.19, p = 0.09). A higher proportion of incentivized PLHIV completed an additional (unincentivized) visit between 90-180 days (79.5% vs. 71.6%, ARD = 0.10, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.24, p = 0.13) and remained in care at 180 days (57.8% vs. 51.4%, ARD = 0.07, 95% CI: -0.09, 0.22, p = 0.40). CONCLUSIONS Short-term financial incentives are feasible, acceptable, and have the potential to encourage re-engagement in care, warranting further study of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Hémono
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Nicole K. Kelly
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Carolyn A. Fahey
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Kassim Hassan
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Janeth Msasa
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Rashid S. Mfaume
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Prosper F. Njau
- Health for a Prosperous Nation, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - William H. Dow
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, USA
| | - Sandra I. McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, USA
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Mantell JE, Zech JM, Masvawure TB, Assefa T, Molla M, Block L, Duguma D, Yirsaw Z, Rabkin M. Implementing six multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: perspectives of clients and healthcare workers. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:563. [PMID: 37259098 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09549-7] [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] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multi-month dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an integral component of differentiated HIV service delivery for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although many countries have scaled up ART dispensing to 3-month intervals, Ethiopia was the first African country to implement six-month dispensing (6-MMD) at scale, introducing its Appointment Spacing Model (ASM) for people doing well on ART in 2017. As of June 2021, 51.4% (n = 215,101) of PLHIV on ART aged ≥ 15 years had enrolled in ASM. Since little is known about the benefits and challenges of ASM perceived by Ethiopian clients and their healthcare workers (HCWs), we explored how the ASM was being implemented in Ethiopia's Oromia region in September 2019. METHODS Using a parallel convergent mixed-methods study design, we conducted 6 focus groups with ASM-eligible enrolled clients, 6 with ASM-eligible non-enrolled clients, and 22 in-depth interviews with HCWs. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated into English. We used thematic analysis, initially coding deductively, followed by inductive coding of themes that emerged from the data, and compared the perspectives of ASM-enrolled and non-enrolled clients and their HCWs. RESULTS Participants enrolled in ASM and HCWs perceived client-level ASM benefits to include time and cost-savings, fewer work disruptions, reduced stigma due to fewer clinic visits, better medication adherence and improved overall health. Perceived health system-level benefits included improved quality of care, decongested facilities, reduced provider workloads, and improved record-keeping. Although non-enrolled participants anticipated many of the same benefits, their reasons for non-enrollment included medication storage challenges, concerns over less frequent health monitoring, and increased stress due to the large quantities of medicines dispensed. Enrolled participants and HCWs identified similar challenges, including client misunderstandings about ASM and initial ART stock-outs. CONCLUSIONS ASM with 6-MMD was perceived to have marked benefits for clients and health systems. Clients enrolled in the ASM and their HCWs had positive experiences with the model, including perceived improvements in efficiency, quality and convenience of HIV treatment services. The concerns of non-ASM enrolled participants suggest the need for enhanced client education about the model and more discreet and efficiently packaged ART and highlight that ASM is not ideal for all clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne E Mantell
- New York State Psychiatric Institute and Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Gender, Sexuality and Health Area, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America.
| | - Jennifer M Zech
- ICAP at Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Tsitsi B Masvawure
- Health Studies Program, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA, United States of America
| | | | | | - Laura Block
- ICAP at Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | | | - Miriam Rabkin
- ICAP at Columbia University, New York, NY, United States of America
- Departments of Medicine and Epidemiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States of America
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22
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Keene CM, Euvrard J, Amico KR, Ragunathan A, English M, McKnight J, Orrell C. Conceptualising engagement with HIV care for people on treatment: the Indicators of HIV Care and AntiRetroviral Engagement (InCARE) Framework. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:435. [PMID: 37143067 PMCID: PMC10161576 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09433-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the crisis-based approach to HIV care evolves to chronic disease management, supporting ongoing engagement with HIV care is increasingly important to achieve long-term treatment success. However, 'engagement' is a complex concept and ambiguous definitions limit its evaluation. To guide engagement evaluation and development of interventions to improve HIV outcomes, we sought to identify critical, measurable dimensions of engagement with HIV care for people on treatment from a health service-delivery perspective. METHODS We used a pragmatic, iterative approach to develop a framework, combining insights from researcher experience, a narrative literature review, framework mapping, expert stakeholder input and a formal scoping review of engagement measures. These inputs helped to refine the inclusion and definition of important elements of engagement behaviour that could be evaluated by the health system. RESULTS The final framework presents engagement with HIV care as a dynamic behaviour that people practice rather than an individual characteristic or permanent state, so that people can be variably engaged at different points in their treatment journey. Engagement with HIV care for those on treatment is represented by three measurable dimensions: 'retention' (interaction with health services), 'adherence' (pill-taking behaviour), and 'active self-management' (ownership and self-management of care). Engagement is the product of wider contextual, health system and personal factors, and engagement in all dimensions facilitates successful treatment outcomes, such as virologic suppression and good health. While retention and adherence together may lead to treatment success at a particular point, this framework hypothesises that active self-management sustains treatment success over time. Thus, evaluation of all three core dimensions is crucial to realise the individual, societal and public health benefits of antiretroviral treatment programmes. CONCLUSIONS This framework distils a complex concept into three core, measurable dimensions critical for the maintenance of engagement. It characterises elements that the system might assess to evaluate engagement more comprehensively at individual and programmatic levels, and suggests that active self-management is an important consideration to support lifelong optimal engagement. This framework could be helpful in practice to guide the development of more nuanced interventions that improve long-term treatment success and help maintain momentum in controlling a changing epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire M Keene
- Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Jonathan Euvrard
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K Rivet Amico
- Health Behaviour and Health Education, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ayesha Ragunathan
- Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Mike English
- Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jacob McKnight
- Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Catherine Orrell
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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23
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Bahemuka UM, Okimat P, Webb EL, Seeley J, Ssetaala A, Okech B, Oketch B, Kibengo FM, Okello E, Kwena Z, Kuteesa MO, Price MA, Kaleebu P, Grosskurth H, Fast P. Factors Associated with Short and Long Term Mobility and HIV Risk of Women Living in Fishing Communities Around Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda: A Cross Sectional Survey. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:880-890. [PMID: 36088399 PMCID: PMC9944640 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03824-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Mobility is linked to negative HIV care continuum outcomes. We sought to understand factors associated with short and long term mobility among women in fishing communities in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. From 2018 through 2019 we conducted a cross-sectional survey of women aged 15 years and above, randomly selected from a census of six fishing villages, around Lake Victoria. Data collected included: demographics, risky sexual behaviour on the most recent trip, and travel behaviour in the previous 4 months. Mobility was recorded as any overnight trip outside the participant's village. A two-level multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the associated factors. A total of 901 participants were enrolled, of whom 645 (71.6%) reported travelling (53.4%; short and 18.2% long term trips). Five factors were associated with long term travel: age, travel purpose, frequency of travel, sexual behaviour while travelling, and destination. Trips made by women aged 46-75 years were less likely to be long term. Long term trips were more common if the trip was to visit, rather than to trade, and more common for women who reported one or two trips rather than three or more trips. Women who made long term trips were more likely to engage in unprotected sex while on a trip. Women who travelled to a regional town/district or another town/district were more likely to take long term trips. The factors associated with travel duration among women living in fishing communities could inform planning of future health care interventions in these communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ubaldo M. Bahemuka
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Paul Okimat
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Emily L. Webb
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ali Ssetaala
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine Program, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Brenda Okech
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine Program, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bertha Oketch
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Kenya Medical Research Institute, KEMRI, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Freddie M. Kibengo
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Elialilia Okello
- grid.452630.60000 0004 8021 6070Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Zachary Kwena
- grid.33058.3d0000 0001 0155 5938Kenya Medical Research Institute, KEMRI, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Monica O. Kuteesa
- grid.420368.b0000 0000 9939 9066International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, New York, USA
| | - Matt A. Price
- grid.420368.b0000 0000 9939 9066International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, New York, USA
- grid.266102.10000 0001 2297 6811University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Pontiano Kaleebu
- grid.415861.f0000 0004 1790 6116Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute Uganda Research Unit & London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, P.O. Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Heiner Grosskurth
- grid.8991.90000 0004 0425 469XLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- grid.452630.60000 0004 8021 6070Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Pat Fast
- grid.420368.b0000 0000 9939 9066International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, New York, USA
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Thorp M, Bellos M, Temelkovska T, Mphande M, Cornell M, Hubbard J, Choko A, Coates TJ, Hoffman R, Dovel K. Mobility and ART retention among men in Malawi: a mixed-methods study. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26066. [PMID: 36943753 PMCID: PMC10029992 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26066] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mobility is associated with worse outcomes across the HIV treatment cascade, especially among men. However, little is known about the mechanisms that link mobility and poor HIV outcomes and what types of mobility most increase the risk of treatment interruption among men in southern Africa. METHODS From August 2021 to January 2022, we conducted a mixed-methods study with men living with HIV (MLHIV) but not currently receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Malawi. Data collection was embedded within two larger trials (ENGAGE and IDEaL trials). We analysed baseline survey data of 223 men enrolled in the trials who reported being mobile (defined as spending ≥14 nights away from home in the past 12 months) using descriptive statistics and negative binomial regressions. We then recruited 32 men for in-depth interviews regarding their travel experiences and ART utilization. We analysed qualitative data using constant comparative methods. RESULTS Survey data showed that 34% of men with treatment interruptions were mobile, with a median of 60 nights away from home in the past 12 months; 69% of trips were for income generation. More nights away from home in the past 12 months and having fewer household assets were associated with longer periods out of care. In interviews, men reported that travel was often unplanned, and men were highly vulnerable to exploitive employer demands, which led to missed appointments and ART interruption. Men made major efforts to stay in care but were often unable to access care on short notice, were denied ART refills at non-home facilities and/or were treated poorly by providers, creating substantial barriers to remaining in and returning to care. Men desired additional multi-month dispensing (MMD), the ability to refill treatment at any facility in Malawi, and streamlined pre-travel refills at home facilities. CONCLUSIONS Men prioritize ART and struggle with the trade-offs between their own health and providing for their families. Mobility is an essential livelihood strategy for MLHIV in Malawi, but it creates conflict with ART retention, largely due to inflexible health systems. Targeted counselling and peer support, access to ART services anywhere in the country, and MMD may improve outcomes for mobile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite Thorp
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Tijana Temelkovska
- David Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Julie Hubbard
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Partners in HopeLilongweMalawi
| | | | - Thomas J. Coates
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Risa Hoffman
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Partners in HopeLilongweMalawi
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Thorp M, Ayieko J, Hoffman RM, Balakasi K, Camlin CS, Dovel K. Mobility and HIV care engagement: a research agenda. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26058. [PMID: 36943731 PMCID: PMC10029995 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mobility is common and an essential livelihood strategy in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Mobile people suffer worse outcomes at every stage of the HIV care cascade compared to non-mobile populations. Definitions of mobility vary widely, and research on the role of temporary mobility (as opposed to permanent migration) in HIV treatment outcomes is often lacking. In this article, we review the current landscape of mobility and HIV care research to identify what is already known, gaps in the literature, and recommendations for future research. DISCUSSION Mobility in SSA is closely linked to income generation, though caregiving, climate change and violence also contribute to the need to move. Mobility is likely to increase in the coming decades, both due to permanent migration and increased temporary mobility, which is likely much more common. We outline three central questions regarding mobility and HIV treatment outcomes in SSA. First, it is unclear what aspects of mobility matter most for HIV care outcomes and if high-risk mobility can be identified or predicted, which is necessary to facilitate targeted interventions for mobile populations. Second, it is unclear what groups are most vulnerable to mobility-associated treatment interruption and other adverse outcomes. And third, it is unclear what interventions can improve HIV treatment outcomes for mobile populations. CONCLUSIONS Mobility is essential for people living with HIV in SSA. HIV treatment programmes and broader health systems must understand and adapt to human mobility, both to promote the rights and welfare of mobile people and to end the HIV pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite Thorp
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - James Ayieko
- Center for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteKisumuKenya
| | - Risa M. Hoffman
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Carol S. Camlin
- Department of ObstetricsGynecology & Reproductive SciencesUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
- Center for AIDS Prevention StudiesDepartment of MedicineUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathryn Dovel
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
- Partners in HopeLilongweMalawi
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26
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Beres LK, Mwamba C, Bolton‐Moore C, Kennedy CE, Simbeza S, Topp SM, Sikombe K, Mukamba N, Mody A, Schwartz SR, Geng E, Holmes CB, Sikazwe I, Denison JA. Trajectories of re-engagement: factors and mechanisms enabling patient return to HIV care in Zambia. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26067. [PMID: 36840391 PMCID: PMC9958345 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26067] [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: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While disengagement from HIV care threatens the health of persons living with HIV (PLWH) and incidence-reduction targets, re-engagement is a critical step towards positive outcomes. Studies that establish a deeper understanding of successful return to clinical care among previously disengaged PLWH and the factors supporting re-engagement are essential to facilitate long-term care continuity. METHODS We conducted narrative, patient-centred, in-depth interviews between January and June 2019 with 20 PLWH in Lusaka, Zambia, who had disengaged and then re-engaged in HIV care, identified through electronic medical records (EMRs). We applied narrative analysis techniques, and deductive and inductive thematic analysis to identify engagement patterns and enablers of return. RESULTS We inductively identified five trajectories of care engagement, suggesting patterns in patient characteristics, experienced barriers and return facilitators that may aid intervention targeting including: (1) intermittent engagement;(2) mostly engaged; (3) delayed linkage after testing; (4) needs time to initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART); and (5) re-engagement with ART initiation. Patient-identified periods of disengagement from care did not always align with care gaps indicated in the EMR. Key, interactive re-engagement facilitators experienced by participants, with varied importance across trajectories, included a desire for physical wellness and social support manifested through verbal encouragement, facility outreach or personal facility connections and family instrumental support. The mechanisms through which facilitators led to return were: (1) the promising of living out one's life priorities; (2) feeling valued; (3) fostering interpersonal accountability; (4) re-entry navigation support; (5) facilitated care and treatment access; and (6) management of significant barriers, such as depression. CONCLUSIONS While preliminary, the identified trajectories may guide interventions to support re-engagement, such as offering flexible ART access to patients with intermittent engagement patterns instead of stable patients only. Further, for re-engagement interventions to achieve impact, they must activate mechanisms underlying re-engagement behaviours. For example, facility outreach that reminds a patient to return to care but does not affirm a patient's value or navigate re-entry is unlikely to be effective. The demonstrated importance of positive health facility connections reinforces a growing call for patient-centred care. Additionally, interventions should consider the important role communities play in fostering treatment motivation and overcoming practical barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K. Beres
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Chanda Mwamba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Carolyn Bolton‐Moore
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaLusakaZambia
- Department of Infectious DiseasesUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Caitlin E. Kennedy
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Sandra Simbeza
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Stephanie M. Topp
- College of Public Health Medical and Veterinary SciencesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Kombatende Sikombe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaLusakaZambia
- Department of Public Health Environments and SocietyFaculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Njekwa Mukamba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in ZambiaLusakaZambia
| | - Aaloke Mody
- University of Washington St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Sheree R. Schwartz
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Elvin Geng
- University of Washington St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Charles B. Holmes
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
- Georgetown UniversityWashingtonDCUSA
| | | | - Julie A. Denison
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
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Nhemachena T, Späth C, Arendse KD, Lebelo K, Zokufa N, Cassidy T, Whitehouse K, Keene CM, Swartz A. Between empathy and anger: healthcare workers' perspectives on patient disengagement from antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa - a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:34. [PMID: 36698083 PMCID: PMC9878968 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01957-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES The benefits of long-term adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are countered by interruptions in care or disengagement from care. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an important role in patient engagement and negative or authoritarian attitudes can drive patients to disengage. However, little is known about HCWs' perspectives on disengagement. We explored HCWs' perspectives on ART disengagement in Khayelitsha, a peri-urban area in South Africa with a high HIV burden. METHOD Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 HCWs in a primary care HIV clinic to explore their perspectives of patients who disengage from ART. HCWs interviewed included clinical (doctors and nurses) and support staff (counsellors, social workers, data clerks, security guards, and occupational therapists). The interview guide asked HCWs about their experience working with patients who interrupt treatment and return to care. Transcripts were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS Most participants were knowledgeable about the complexities of disengagement and barriers to sustaining engagement with ART, raising their concerns that disengagement poses a significant public health problem. Participants expressed empathy for patients who interrupted treatment, particularly when the challenges that led to their disengagement were considered reasonable by the HCWs. However, many also expressed feelings of anger and frustration towards these patients, partly because they reported an increase in workload as a result. Some staff, mainly those taking chronic medication themselves, perceived patients who disengage from ART as not taking adequate responsibility for their own health. CONCLUSION Lifelong engagement with HIV care is influenced by many factors including disclosure, family support, and HCW interactions. Findings from this study show that HCWs had contradictory feelings towards disengaged patients, experiencing both empathy and anger. Understanding this could contribute to the development of more nuanced interventions to support staff and encourage true person-centred care, to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsephiso Nhemachena
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Carmen Späth
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsten D. Arendse
- grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Khayelitsha Project, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Keitumetse Lebelo
- grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Khayelitsha Project, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nompumelelo Zokufa
- grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Khayelitsha Project, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tali Cassidy
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Khayelitsha Project, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine Whitehouse
- grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Southern African Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Claire M. Keene
- grid.452731.60000 0004 4687 7174Médecins Sans Frontières, Khayelitsha Project, Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.4991.50000 0004 1936 8948Health Systems Collaborative, Oxford Centre for Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Alison Swartz
- grid.7836.a0000 0004 1937 1151School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.8356.80000 0001 0942 6946Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex, Essex, England
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Attrition from Care Among Men Initiating ART in Male-Only Clinics Compared with Men in General Primary Healthcare Clinics in Khayelitsha, South Africa: A Matched Propensity Score Analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:358-369. [PMID: 35908271 PMCID: PMC9852215 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Men have higher rates of attrition from antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs than women. In Khayelitsha, a high HIV prevalence area in South Africa, two public sector primary healthcare clinics offer services, including HIV testing and treatment, exclusively to men. We compared attrition from ART care among men initiating ART at these clinics with male attrition in six general primary healthcare clinics in Khayelitsha. We described baseline characteristics of patients initiating ART at the male and general clinics from 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2018. We used exposure propensity scores (generated based on baseline health and age) to match male clinic patients 1:1 to males at other clinics. The association between attrition (death or loss to follow-up, defined as no visits for nine months) and clinic type was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Follow-up time began at ART initiation and ended at attrition, clinic transfer, or dataset closure. Before matching, patients from male clinics (n = 784) were younger than males from general clinics (n = 2726), median age: 31.2 vs 35.5 years. Those initiating at male clinics had higher median CD4 counts at ART initiation [Male Clinic 1: 329 (IQR 210-431), Male Clinic 2: 364 (IQR 260-536), general clinics 258 (IQR 145-398), cells/mm3]. In the matched analysis (1451 person-years, 1568 patients) patients initiating ART at male clinics had lower attrition (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.60-0.85). In separate analyses for each of the two male clinics, only the more established male clinic showed a protective effect. Male-only clinics reached younger, healthier men, and had lower ART attrition than general services. These findings support clinic-specific adaptations to create more male-friendly environments.
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Bhutada K, Chakrapani V, Gulfam FR, Ross J, Golub SA, Safren SA, Prasad R, Patel VV. Pathways Between Intersectional Stigma and HIV Treatment Engagement Among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in India. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2023; 22:23259582231199398. [PMID: 37701971 PMCID: PMC10501078 DOI: 10.1177/23259582231199398] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
In India and other low-and-middle-income countries, little is known about how intersectional stigma affects MSM engagement in ART. Informed by the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework, we qualitatively examined how multiple stigmas influence ART engagement among Indian MSM. We conducted 3 focus groups (N = 22) with MSM living with HIV, aged 21-58 years, in Delhi and Hyderabad to identify potential intervention targets and solutions to improve treatment outcomes. Framework analysis and techniques were used to code and analyze translated audio-recordings. Findings revealed enacted stigma, associated with HIV and MSM identity, manifested as familial shame and healthcare discrimination, inhibiting access to support, and decreasing HIV care engagement. Anticipated stigma led to worry about disclosure and societal repercussions. Community-Based-Organizations, ART centers, and family members were primary sources of support, leading to increased ART initiation and retention. Potential solutions included using MSM peer-counselors, increasing social support, and providing HIV education to the general community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Bhutada
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Venkatesan Chakrapani
- Centre for Sexuality and Health Research and Policy (C-SHaRP), C-ShaRP, Chennai, India Chennai, India
| | | | - Jonathan Ross
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System Bronx, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Viraj V Patel
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Health System Bronx, NY, USA
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Leslie HH, Mooney AC, Gilmore HJ, Agnew E, Grignon JS, deKadt J, Shade SB, Ratlhagana MJ, Sumitani J, Barnhart S, Steward WT, Lippman SA. Prevalence, motivation, and outcomes of clinic transfer in a clinical cohort of people living with HIV in North West Province, South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1584. [PMID: 36572869 PMCID: PMC9791728 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08962-8] [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: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Continuity of care is an attribute of high-quality health systems and a necessary component of chronic disease management. Assessment of health information systems for HIV care in South Africa has identified substantial rates of clinic transfer, much of it undocumented. Understanding the reasons for changing sources of care and the implications for patient outcomes is important in informing policy responses. METHODS In this secondary analysis of the 2014 - 2016 I-Care trial, we examined self-reported changes in source of HIV care among a cohort of individuals living with HIV and in care in North West Province, South Africa. Individuals were enrolled in the study within 1 year of diagnosis; participants completed surveys at 6 and 12 months including items on sources of care. Clinical data were extracted from records at participants' original clinic for 12 months following enrollment. We assessed frequency and reason for changing clinics and compared the demographics and care outcomes of those changing and not changing source of care. RESULTS Six hundred seventy-five (89.8%) of 752 study participants completed follow-up surveys with information on sources of HIV care; 101 (15%) reported receiving care at a different facility by month 12 of follow-up. The primary reason for changing was mobility (N=78, 77%). Those who changed clinics were more likely to be young adults, non-citizens, and pregnant at time of diagnosis. Self-reported clinic attendance and ART adherence did not differ based on changing clinics. Those on ART not changing clinics reported 0.66 visits more on average than were documented in clinic records. CONCLUSION At least 1 in 6 participants in HIV care changed clinics within 2 years of diagnosis, mainly driven by mobility; while most appeared lost to follow-up based on records from the original clinic, self-reported visits and adherence were equivalent to those not changing clinics. Routine clinic visits could incorporate questions about care at other locations as well as potential relocation, particularly for younger, pregnant, and non-citizen patients, to support existing efforts to make HIV care records portable and facilitate continuity of care across clinics. TRIAL REGISTRATION The original trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02417233, on 12 December 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah H. Leslie
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Alyssa C. Mooney
- Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Hailey J. Gilmore
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Emily Agnew
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Jessica S. Grignon
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) South Africa, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Julia deKadt
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) South Africa, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Starley B. Shade
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Mary Jane Ratlhagana
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) South Africa, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Jeri Sumitani
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH) South Africa, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
| | - Scott Barnhart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Wayne T. Steward
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Sheri A. Lippman
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 550 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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31
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Beeman A, Bengtson AM, Swartz A, Colvin CJ, Lurie MN. Cyclical Engagement in HIV Care: A Qualitative Study of Clinic Transfers to Re-enter HIV Care in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2387-2396. [PMID: 35061116 PMCID: PMC9167245 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03582-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Long-term patient engagement and retention in HIV care is an ongoing challenge in South Africa's strained health system. However, some patients thought to be "lost to follow-up" (LTFU) may have "transferred" clinics to receive care elsewhere. Through semi-structured interviews, we explored the relationship between clinic transfer and long-term patient engagement among 19 treatment-experienced people living with HIV (PLWH) who self-identified as having engaged in a clinic transfer at least once since starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Our findings suggest that patient engagement is often fluid, as PLWH cycle in and out of care multiple times during their lifetime. The linear nature of the HIV care cascade model poorly describes the lived realities of PLWH on established treatment. Further research is needed to explore strategies for reducing unplanned clinic transfers and offer more supportive care to new and returning patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aly Beeman
- Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Alison Swartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Colvin
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Box GS-121-2, Room 221, 121 South Main Street, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Camlin CS, Marson K, Ndyabakira A, Getahun M, Emperador D, Byamukama A, Kwarisiima D, Thirumurthy H, Chamie G. Understanding the role of incentives for achieving and sustaining viral suppression: A qualitative sub-study of a financial incentives trial in Uganda. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270180. [PMID: 35749510 PMCID: PMC9231797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is essential for protecting health and preventing HIV transmission, yet globally, rates of viral suppression are sub-optimal. Interventions to improve HIV prevention and care cascade outcomes remain vital. Financial incentives hold promise for improving these outcomes, yet to date, clinical trial results have been mixed. Methods This qualitative sub-study, embedded in a trial (NCT02890459) in Uganda to test whether incentives are effective for achieving viral suppression in PLHIV, sought to enhance our understanding of the factors that influence this outcome. Forty-nine (n = 49) PLHIV, purposely sampled to balance across gender, study arm, and viral suppression status, were interviewed to explore barriers and motivations for care engagement, adherence, and viral suppression, and attributions for decision-making, including perceived influence of incentives on behaviors. Results While many participants with undetectable viral load (VL) who received incentives said the incentives motivated their ART adherence, others expressed intrinsic motivation for adherence. All felt that incentives reduced burdens of transport costs, lost income due to time spent away from work, and food insecurity. Incentives may have activated attention and memory for some, as excitement about anticipating incentives helped them adhere to medication schedules. In comparison, participants who were randomized to receive incentives but had detectable VL faced a wider range, complexity and severity of challenges to care engagement. Notably, their narratives included more accounts of poor treatment in clinics, food insecurity, and severe forms of stigma. With or without incentives, adherence was reinforced through experiencing restored health due to ART, social support (especially from partners), and good quality counseling and clinical care. Conclusions In considering why incentives sometimes fail to achieve behavior change, it may be helpful to attend to the full set of factors- psychological, interpersonal, social and structural- that militate against the behavior change required to achieve behavioral outcomes. To be effective, incentives may need to be combined with other interventions to address the spectrum of barriers to care engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S. Camlin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Kara Marson
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - Monica Getahun
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Devy Emperador
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | | | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Chamie
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Sundararajan R, Ponticiello M, Nansera D, Jeremiah K, Muyindike W. Interventions to Increase HIV Testing Uptake in Global Settings. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:184-193. [PMID: 35441985 PMCID: PMC9110462 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00602-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review HIV testing is the critical first step to direct people living with HIV (PLWH) to treatment. However, progress is still being made towards the UNAIDS benchmark of 95% of PLWH knowing their status by 2030. Here, we discuss recent interventions to improve HIV testing uptake in global settings. Recent Findings Successful facility-based HIV testing interventions involve couples and index testing, partner notification, and offering of incentives. Community-based interventions such as home-based self-testing, mobile outreach, and hybrid approaches have improved HIV testing in low-resource settings and among priority populations. Partnerships with trusted community leaders have also increased testing among populations disproportionally impacted by HIV. Summary Recent HIV testing interventions span a breadth of facility- and community-based approaches. Continued research is needed to engage men in sub-Saharan Africa, people who inject drugs, and people who avoid biomedical care. Interventions should consider supporting linkage to care for newly diagnosed PLWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhika Sundararajan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, M-130, New York, NY, 10065, USA. .,Weill Cornell Center for Global Health, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Matthew Ponticiello
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th Street, M-130, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Denis Nansera
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda.,Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | - Winnie Muyindike
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mbarara, Uganda.,Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Ngcobo S, Scheepers S, Mbatha N, Grobler E, Rossouw T. Roles, Barriers, and Recommendations for Community Health Workers Providing Community-Based HIV Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:130-144. [PMID: 35438523 PMCID: PMC9057893 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
While the impact of Community Health Workers (CHWs) on home-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care has been documented, barriers and recommendations have not been systematically reviewed. Following the reporting requirements of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we used an aggregative narrative synthesis approach to summarize the results of qualitative studies published between January 1, 2000, and November 6, 2020 in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. In total, 17 studies met the selection criteria and were included in the analysis. They reported on a range of roles played by CHWs in HIV care, including education and health promotion; HIV-specific care (HIV testing services; screening for opportunistic infections and acute illness); medication delivery; tracing persons who had defaulted from care; and support (treatment support; referral; home-based care; and psychosocial support). Many different barriers to community-based HIV care were reported and centered on the following themes: Stigma and nondisclosure; inadequate support (lack of resources, inadequate training, inadequate funding, and inadequate monitoring); and health system challenges (patients' preference for more frequent visits and poor integration of CHWs in the wider health care system). Recommendations to mitigate these barriers included: addressing HIV-related stigma; introducing updated and relevant CHW training; strengthening the supervision of CHWs; coordinating care between the home and facilities; incorporating patient-centered mHealth approaches; and committing to the funding and resources needed for successful community-based care. In summary, CHWs are providing a variety of important community-based HIV services but face challenges with regards to training, resources, and supervision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanele Ngcobo
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Susan Scheepers
- Medical Library, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nothando Mbatha
- Department of Public Health and University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Estelle Grobler
- Medical Library, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Theresa Rossouw
- Department of Immunology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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35
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Mirzazadeh A, Eshun-Wilson I, Thompson RR, Bonyani A, Kahn JG, Baral SD, Schwartz S, Rutherford G, Geng EH. Interventions to reengage people living with HIV who are lost to follow-up from HIV treatment programs: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003940. [PMID: 35290369 PMCID: PMC8923443 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Optimizing services to facilitate engagement and retention in care of people living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) is critical to decrease HIV-related morbidity and mortality and HIV transmission. We systematically reviewed the literature for the effectiveness of implementation strategies to reestablish and subsequently retain clinical contact, improve viral load suppression, and reduce mortality among patients who had been lost to follow-up (LTFU) from HIV services. METHODS AND FINDINGS We searched 7 databases (PubMed, Cochrane, ERIC, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the WHO regional databases) and 3 conference abstract archives (CROI, IAC, and IAS) to find randomized trials and observational studies published through 13 April 2020. Eligible studies included those involving children and adults who were diagnosed with HIV, had initiated ART, and were subsequently lost to care and that reported at least one review outcome (return to care, retention, viral suppression, or mortality). Data were extracted by 2 reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third. We characterized reengagement strategies according to how, where, and by whom tracing was conducted. We explored effects, first, among all categorized as LTFU from the HIV program (reengagement program effect) and second among those found to be alive and out of care (reengagement contact outcome). We used random-effect models for meta-analysis and conducted subgroup analyses to explore heterogeneity. Searches yielded 4,244 titles, resulting in 37 included studies (6 randomized trials and 31 observational studies). In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (N = 16), tracing most frequently involved identification of LTFU from the electronic medical record (EMR) and paper records followed by a combination of telephone calls and field tracing (including home visits), by a team of outreach workers within 3 months of becoming LTFU (N = 7), with few incorporating additional strategies to support reengagement beyond contact (N = 2). In high-income countries (HICs) (N = 21 studies), LTFU were similarly identified through EMR systems, at times matched with other public health records (N = 4), followed by telephone calls and letters sent by mail or email and conducted by outreach specialist teams. Home visits were less common (N = 7) than in LMICs, and additional reengagement support was similarly infrequent (N = 5). Overall, reengagement programs were able to return 39% (95% CI: 31% to 47%) of all patients who were characterized as LTFU (n = 29). Reengagement contact resulted in 58% (95% CI: 51% to 65%) return among those found to be alive and out of care (N = 17). In 9 studies that had a control condition, the return was higher among those in the reengagement intervention group than the standard of care group (RR: 1.20 (95% CI: 1.08 to 1.32, P < 0.001). There were insufficient data to generate pooled estimates of retention, viral suppression, or mortality after the return. CONCLUSIONS While the types of interventions are markedly heterogeneity, reengagement interventions increase return to care. HIV programs should consider investing in systems to better characterize LTFU to identify those who are alive and out of care, and further research on the optimum time to initiate reengagement efforts after missed visits and how to best support sustained reengagement could improve efficiency and effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Mirzazadeh
- Division of Infectious Disease and Global Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University at St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ryan R. Thompson
- Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | | | - James G. Kahn
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Stefan D. Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - George Rutherford
- Division of Infectious Disease and Global Epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Elvin H. Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Washington University at St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Chamberlin S, Mphande M, Phiri K, Kalande P, Dovel K. How HIV Clients Find Their Way Back to the ART Clinic: A Qualitative Study of Disengagement and Re-engagement with HIV Care in Malawi. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:674-685. [PMID: 34403022 PMCID: PMC8840926 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Retention in antiretroviral therapy (ART) services is critical to achieving positive health outcomes for individuals living with HIV, but accumulating evidence indicates that individuals are likely to miss ART appointments over time. Thus, it is important to understand why individuals miss appointments and how they re-engage in HIV care. We used in-depth interviews with 44 ART clients in Malawi who recently missed an ART appointment (> 14 days) but eventually re-engaged in care (within 60 days) to explore reasons for missed appointments and barriers and facilitators to re-engagement. We found that most individuals missed ART appointments due to unexpected life events such as funerals, work, and illness for both clients and their treatment guardians who were also unable to attend facilities. Several reasons differed by gender-work-related travel was common for men, while caring for sick family members was common for women. Barriers to re-engagement included continued travel, illness, and restricted clinic schedules and/or staff shortages that led to repeat facility visits before being able to re-engage in care. Strong internal motivation combined with social support and reminders from community health workers facilitated re-engagement in HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Chamberlin
- Department of Health and Behavioral Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Campus Box 188, P.O. Box 173364, Denver, CO, 80217-3364, USA.
| | | | - Khumbo Phiri
- Partners in Hope Medical Center, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Kathryn Dovel
- Partners in Hope Medical Center, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Medicine and Division of Infectious Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Iguna S, Getahun M, Lewis-Kulzer J, Odhiambo G, Adhiambo F, Montoya L, Petersen ML, Bukusi E, Odeny T, Geng E, Camlin CS. Attitudes towards and experiences with economic incentives for engagement in HIV care and treatment: Qualitative insights from a randomized trial in Kenya. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000204. [PMID: 36962322 PMCID: PMC10021832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Growing literature has shown heterogenous effects of conditional cash incentives (CCIs) on HIV care retention. The field lacks insights into reasons why incentives impact various patients in different ways-differences that may be due to variations in psychological and social mechanisms of effect. A deeper understanding of patients' perceptions and experiences of CCIs for retention may help to clarify these mechanisms. We conducted a qualitative study embedded in the ADAPT-R trial (NCT#02338739), a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) that evaluated economic incentives to support retention in HIV care among persons living with HIV (PLHIV) initiating antiretroviral therapy in Kenya. Participants who attended their scheduled clinic visits received an incentive of approximately $4 each visit. Interviews were conducted between July 2016 and June 2017 with 39 participants to explore attitudes and experiences with economic incentives conditional on care engagement. Analyses revealed that incentives helped PLHIV prioritize care-seeking by alleviating transport barriers and food insecurity: "I decided to forgo [work] and attend clinic […] the voucher relieved me". Patients who borrowed money for care-seeking reported feeling relieved from the burden of indebtedness to others: "I borrow with confidence that I will pay after my appointment." Incentives fostered their autonomy, and enabled them to support others: "I used the money to buy some clothes and Pampers for the children." Participants who were intrinsically motivated to engage in care ("my life depends on the drugs, not the incentive"), and those who mistrusted researchers, reported being less prompted by the incentive itself. For patients not already prioritizing care-seeking, incentives facilitated care engagement through alleviating transport costs, indebtedness and food insecurity, and also supported social role fulfillment. Conditional cash incentives may be an important cue to action to improve progression through the HIV treatment cascade, and contribute to better care retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Iguna
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Monica Getahun
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jayne Lewis-Kulzer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Gladys Odhiambo
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Fridah Adhiambo
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Lina Montoya
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Maya L Petersen
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Thomas Odeny
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Elvin Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Carol S Camlin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Division of Prevention Science, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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Roche SD, Odoyo J, Irungu E, Kwach B, Dollah A, Nyerere B, Peacock S, Morton JF, O'Malley G, Bukusi EA, Baeten JM, Mugwanya KK. A one-stop shop model for improved efficiency of pre-exposure prophylaxis delivery in public clinics in western Kenya: a mixed methods implementation science study. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25845. [PMID: 34898032 PMCID: PMC8666585 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In public clinics in Kenya, separate, sequential delivery of the component services of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (e.g. HIV testing, counselling, and dispensing) creates long wait times that hinder clients' ability and desire to access and continue PrEP. We conducted a mixed methods study in four public clinics in western Kenya to identify strategies for operationalizing a one-stop shop (OSS) model and evaluate whether this model could improve client wait time and care acceptability among clients and providers without negatively impacting uptake or continuation. METHODS From January 2020 through November 2020, we collected and analysed 47 time-and-motion observations using Mann-Whitney U tests, 29 provider and client interviews, 68 technical assistance reports, and clinic flow maps from intervention clinics. We used controlled interrupted time series (cITS) to compare trends in PrEP initiation and on-time returns from a 12-month pre-intervention period (January-December 2019) to an 8-month post-period (January-November 2020, excluding a 3-month COVID-19 wash-out period) at intervention and control clinics. RESULTS From the pre- to post-period, median client wait time at intervention clinics dropped significantly from 31 to 6 minutes (p = 0.02), while median provider contact time remained around 23 minutes (p = 0.4). Intervention clinics achieved efficiency gains by moving PrEP delivery to lower volume departments, moving steps closer together (e.g. relocating supplies; cross-training and task-shifting), and differentiating clients based on the subset of services needed. Clients and providers found the OSS model highly acceptable and additionally identified increased privacy, reduced stigma, and higher quality client-provider interactions as benefits of the model. From the pre- to post-period, average monthly initiations at intervention and control clinics increased by 6 and 2.3, respectively, and percent of expected follow-up visits occurring on time decreased by 18% and 26%, respectively; cITS analysis of PrEP initiations (n = 1227) and follow-up visits (n = 2696) revealed no significant difference between intervention and control clinics in terms of trends in PrEP initiation and on-time returns (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS An OSS model significantly improved client wait time and care acceptability without negatively impacting initiations or continuations, thus highlighting opportunities to improve the efficiency of PrEP delivery efficiency and client-centredness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josephine Odoyo
- Centre for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | | | - Benn Kwach
- Centre for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | - Annabell Dollah
- Centre for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | - Bernard Nyerere
- Centre for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteNairobiKenya
| | - Sue Peacock
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | | | | | - Elizabeth A. Bukusi
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Centre for Microbiology ResearchKenya Medical Research InstituteNairobiKenya
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Jared M. Baeten
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Department of Medicine, University of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of WashingtonWashingtonSeattleUSA
- Gilead SciencesFoster CityCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kenneth K. Mugwanya
- Department of Global HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of WashingtonWashingtonSeattleUSA
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Sikazwe I, Eshun-Wilson I, Sikombe K, Beres LK, Somwe P, Mody A, Simbeza S, Bukankala C, Glidden DV, Mulenga LB, Padian N, Ehrenkranz P, Bolton-Moore C, Holmes CB, Geng EH. Patient-reported Reasons for Stopping Care or Switching Clinics in Zambia: A Multisite, Regionally Representative Estimate Using a Multistage Sampling-based Approach in Zambia. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:e2294-e2302. [PMID: 33011803 PMCID: PMC8492131 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding patient-reported reasons for lapses of retention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment can drive improvements in the care cascade. A systematic assessment of outcomes among a random sample of patients lost to follow-up (LTFU) from 32 clinics in Zambia to understand the reasons for silent transfers and disengagement from care was undertaken. METHODS We traced a simple random sample of LTFU patients (>90 days from last scheduled visit) as determined from clinic-based electronic medical records from a probability sample of facilities. Among patients found in person, we solicited reasons for either stopping or switching care and predictors for re-engagement. We coded reasons into structural, psychosocial, and clinic-based barriers. RESULTS Among 1751 LTFU patients traced and found alive, 31% of patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 1 July 2013 and 31 July 2015 silently transferred or were disengaged (40% male; median age, 35 years; median CD4 level, 239 cells/μL); median time on ART at LTFU was 480 days (interquartile range, 110-1295). Among the 544 patients not in care, median prevalences for patient-reported structural, psychosocial, and clinic-level barriers were 27.3%, 13.9%, and 13.4%, respectively, and were highly variable across facilities. Structural reasons, including, "relocated to a new place" were mostly cited among 289 patients who silently transferred (35.5%). We found that men were less likely to re-engage in care than women (odds ratio, .39; 95% confidence interval, .22-.67; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Efforts to improve retention of patients on ART may need to be tailored at the facility level to address patient-reported barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izukanji Sikazwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Kombatende Sikombe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul Somwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Aaloke Mody
- Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sandra Simbeza
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Chama Bukankala
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | - Nancy Padian
- University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | | | | | - Charles B Holmes
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Elvin H Geng
- Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA
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Hickey MD, Ouma GB, Mattah B, Pederson B, DesLauriers NR, Mohamed P, Obanda J, Odhiambo A, Njoroge B, Otieno L, Zoughbie DE, Ding EL, Fiorella KJ, Bukusi EA, Cohen CR, Geng EH, Salmen CR. The Kanyakla study: Randomized controlled trial of a microclinic social network intervention for promoting engagement and retention in HIV care in rural western Kenya. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255945. [PMID: 34516557 PMCID: PMC8437299 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Existing social relationships are a potential source of "social capital" that can enhance support for sustained retention in HIV care. A previous pilot study of a social network-based 'microclinic' intervention, including group health education and facilitated HIV status disclosure, reduced disengagement from HIV care. We conducted a pragmatic randomized trial to evaluate microclinic effectiveness. METHODS In nine rural health facilities in western Kenya, we randomized HIV-positive adults with a recent missed clinic visit to either participation in a microclinic or usual care (NCT02474992). We collected visit data at all clinics where participants accessed care and evaluated intervention effect on disengagement from care (≥90-day absence from care after a missed visit) and the proportion of time patients were adherent to clinic visits ('time-in-care'). We also evaluated changes in social support, HIV status disclosure, and HIV-associated stigma. RESULTS Of 350 eligible patients, 304 (87%) enrolled, with 154 randomized to intervention and 150 to control. Over one year of follow-up, disengagement from care was similar in intervention and control (18% vs 17%, hazard ratio 1.03, 95% CI 0.61-1.75), as was time-in-care (risk difference -2.8%, 95% CI -10.0% to +4.5%). The intervention improved social support for attending clinic appointments (+0.4 units on 5-point scale, 95% CI 0.08-0.63), HIV status disclosure to close social supports (+0.3 persons, 95% CI 0.2-0.5), and reduced stigma (-0.3 units on 5-point scale, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.17). CONCLUSIONS The data from our pragmatic randomized trial in rural western Kenya are compatible with the null hypothesis of no difference in HIV care engagement between those who participated in a microclinic intervention and those who did not, despite improvements in proposed intervention mechanisms of action. However, some benefit or harm cannot be ruled out because the confidence intervals were wide. Results differ from a prior quasi-experimental pilot study, highlighting important implementation considerations when evaluating complex social interventions for HIV care. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trial number: NCT02474992.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Hickey
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases & Global Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Gor B. Ouma
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Ekialo Kiona Centre, Mfangano Island, Kenya
| | - Brian Mattah
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Ekialo Kiona Centre, Mfangano Island, Kenya
| | - Ben Pederson
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Providence Oregon Family Medicine Residency, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Nicholas R. DesLauriers
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Pamela Mohamed
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Ekialo Kiona Centre, Mfangano Island, Kenya
| | - Joyce Obanda
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Ekialo Kiona Centre, Mfangano Island, Kenya
| | - Abdi Odhiambo
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Ekialo Kiona Centre, Mfangano Island, Kenya
| | - Betty Njoroge
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Linda Otieno
- Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Daniel E. Zoughbie
- Microclinic International, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Eric L. Ding
- Microclinic International, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Kathryn J. Fiorella
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Craig R. Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Elvin H. Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University, St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Charles R. Salmen
- Organic Health Response Research Group, Mfangano Island, Kenya
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America
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Bisnauth MA, Davies N, Monareng S, Buthelezi F, Struthers H, McIntyre J, Rees K. Why do patients interrupt and return to antiretroviral therapy? Retention in HIV care from the patient's perspective in Johannesburg, South Africa. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256540. [PMID: 34473742 PMCID: PMC8412245 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retention in care is required for optimal clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although most PLHIV in South Africa know their HIV status, only 70% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Improved retention in care is needed to get closer to sustained ART for all. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute conducted a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted ART to return to care. METHODS Data collection was conducted in one region of Johannesburg. This mixed methods study consisted of two components: 1) healthcare providers entered data into a structured tool for all patients re-initiating ART at nine clinics over a nine-month period, 2) Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-set of patients. Responses to the tool were analysed descriptively, we report frequencies, and percentages. A thematic approach was used to analyse participant experiences in-depth. RESULTS 562 people re-initiated ART, 66% were women, 75% were 25-49 years old. The three most common reasons for disengagement from care were mobility (30%), ART related factors (15%), and time limitations due to work (10%). Reasons for returning included it becoming easier to attend the clinic (34%) and worry about not being on ART (19%). Mobile interview participants often forgot their medical files and expressed that managing their ART was difficult because they often needed a transfer letter to gain access to ART at another facility. On the other hand, clinics that had flexible and extended hours facilitated retention in care. CONCLUSION In both the quantitative data, and the qualitative analysis, changing life circumstances was the most prominent reason for disengagement from care. Health services were not perceived to be responsive to life changes or mobility, leading to disengagement. More client-centred and responsive health services should improve retention on ART.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Helen Struthers
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - James McIntyre
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases & HIV Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kate Rees
- Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Community Health, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Mody A, Tram KH, Glidden DV, Eshun-Wilson I, Sikombe K, Mehrotra M, Pry JM, Geng EH. Novel Longitudinal Methods for Assessing Retention in Care: a Synthetic Review. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 18:299-308. [PMID: 33948789 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-021-00561-2] [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] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Retention in care is both dynamic and longitudinal in nature, but current approaches to retention often reduce these complex histories into cross-sectional metrics that obscure the nuanced experiences of patients receiving HIV care. In this review, we discuss contemporary approaches to assessing retention in care that captures its dynamic nature and the methodological and data considerations to do so. RECENT FINDINGS Enhancing retention measurements either through patient tracing or "big data" approaches (including probabilistic matching) to link databases from different sources can be used to assess longitudinal retention from the perspective of the patient when they transition in and out of care and access care at different facilities. Novel longitudinal analytic approaches such as multi-state and group-based trajectory analyses are designed specifically for assessing metrics that can change over time such as retention in care. Multi-state analyses capture the transitions individuals make in between different retention states over time and provide a comprehensive depiction of longitudinal population-level outcomes. Group-based trajectory analyses can identify patient subgroups that follow distinctive retention trajectories over time and highlight the heterogeneity of retention patterns across the population. Emerging approaches to longitudinally measure retention in care provide nuanced assessments that reveal unique insights into different care gaps at different time points over an individuals' treatment. These methods help meet the needs of the current scientific agenda for retention and reveal important opportunities for developing more tailored interventions that target the varied care challenges patients may face over the course of lifelong treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaloke Mody
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 4523 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA.
| | - Khai Hoan Tram
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 4523 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - David V Glidden
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 4523 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Kombatende Sikombe
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Public Health Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Megha Mehrotra
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jake M Pry
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 4523 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Elvin H Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8051, 4523 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
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Lofgren SM, Tsui S, Atuyambe L, Ankunda L, Komuhendo R, Wamala N, Sadiq A, Kirumira P, Srishyla D, Flynn A, Pastick KA, Meya DB, Nakasujja N, Porta C. Barriers to HIV care in Uganda and implications for universal test-and-treat: a qualitative study. AIDS Care 2021; 34:597-605. [PMID: 34314261 PMCID: PMC8792098 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1946000] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Achieving universal HIV test-and-treat will require targeted interventions for those with worse outcomes, including advanced HIV. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers (HCWs) and people living with HIV (PLWH) at 5 HIV clinics in Kampala, Uganda, to understand barriers to care. PLWH enrolled started/restarted on HIV treatment ≤3 months prior. PLWH were grouped as 1) "ART-experienced" or those restarted therapy after ≥12 months off, 2) ART naïve CD4 count <100 cells/uL "late presenters" or 3) ART naïve CD4 count >350 cells/uL "early presenters". In-depth interviews were conducted in Luganda, translated, and transcribed verbatim. Between May and August 2017, 58 PLWH and 20 HCWs were interviewed. High stigma and low social support emerged as themes among all as barriers to care. Alcohol abuse was a barrier for men. Fear of domestic violence and abandonment were barriers for women, limiting disclosure of their HIV status to their male partners. Clinic factors such as rapport with staff, distance, efficiency, and privacy impacted care. Future interventions to decrease delayed ART initiation should target stigma and social support. Assisted disclosure, contact tracing, and alcohol abuse treatment should be implemented. Strengthening client support, reducing wait times, and increasing privacy assurances would improve care-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Lofgren
- University of Minnesota, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine, Department of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sharon Tsui
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lynn Atuyambe
- Makerere University, School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Leander Ankunda
- Makerere University, School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Nathan Wamala
- Makerere University, School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alisat Sadiq
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Kirumira
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Diksha Srishyla
- University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Andrew Flynn
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Katelyn A Pastick
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,University of Minnesota, School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David B Meya
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Noeline Nakasujja
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.,Makerere University, Department of Psychiatry, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carolyn Porta
- University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Mhina C, Bosworth H, Bartlett JA, Vilme H, Mosha JH, Shoo DF, Kakumbi TJ, Jacob G, Muiruri C. The impact of out-of-pocket expenditures on missed appointments at HIV care and treatment centers in Northern Tanzania. GLOBAL HEALTH JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.glohj.2021.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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45
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Ehrenkranz P, Rosen S, Boulle A, Eaton JW, Ford N, Fox MP, Grimsrud A, Rice BD, Sikazwe I, Holmes CB. The revolving door of HIV care: Revising the service delivery cascade to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003651. [PMID: 34029346 PMCID: PMC8186775 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Peter Ehrenkranz and co-authors present a cyclical cascade of care for people with HIV infection, aiming to facilitate assessment of outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Ehrenkranz
- Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Sydney Rosen
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Andrew Boulle
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jeffrey W. Eaton
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan Ford
- HIV & Global Hepatitis Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Matthew P. Fox
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Anna Grimsrud
- HIV Programmes & Advocacy Department, International AIDS Society, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian D. Rice
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Izukanji Sikazwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Charles B. Holmes
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: HIV differentiated service delivery (DSD) models are scaling up in resource-limited settings for stable patients; less is known about DSD outcomes for patients with viremia. We evaluated the effect on viral suppression (VS) of a streamlined care DSD model implemented in the SEARCH randomized universal test and treat trial in rural Uganda and Kenya (NCT:01864603). Methods: We included HIV-infected adults at baseline (2013) who were country guideline antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligible (prior ART experience or CD4 ≤ 350) with ≥1 HIV clinic visit between 2013 and 2017 in SEARCH communities randomized to intervention (N = 16) or control (N = 16). We assessed the effect of streamlined care in intervention community clinics (patient-centered care, increased appointment spacing, improved clinic access, reminders, and tracking) on VS at 3 years. Analysis was stratified by the baseline care status: ART-experienced with viremia, ART-naïve with CD4 ≤ 350, or ART-experienced with VS. Results: Among 6190 ART-eligible persons in care, year 3 VS was 90% in intervention and 87% in control arms (RR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.06). Among ART-experienced persons with baseline viremia, streamlined care was associated with higher VS (67% vs 47%, RR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.91). Among ART-naïve persons, VS was not significantly higher with streamlined care (83% vs 79%, RR 1.05, 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.16). Among ART-experienced persons with baseline VS, nearly all remained virally suppressed in both arms (97% vs 95%, RR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.03). Conclusions: Streamlined care was associated with higher viral suppression among ART-experienced patients with viremia in this randomized evaluation of ART-eligible patients who were in care after universal HIV testing.
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Twelve-Month Outcomes of Community-Based Differentiated Models of Multimonth Dispensing of ART Among Stable HIV-Infected Adults in Lesotho: A Cluster-Randomized Noninferiority Trial. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 85:280-291. [PMID: 32665460 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesotho adopted the test-and-treat approach for HIV treatment in June 2016, which increased antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic volume. We evaluated community-based vs. facility-based differentiated models of multimonth dispensing of ART among stable HIV-infected adults in Lesotho. METHODS Thirty facilities were randomized to 3 arms, facility 3-monthly ART (3MF) (control), community ART groups (3MC), and 6-monthly community distribution points (6MCD). We estimated risk differences (RDs) between arms using population-averaged generalized estimating equations, controlling for baseline imbalances and specifying for clustering. The primary outcome was retention in ART care by intention-to-treat and virologic suppression as a secondary outcome (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03438370). RESULTS A total of 5,336 participants were enrolled, with 1898, 1558, and 1880 in 3MF, 3MC, and 6MCD, respectively. Retention in ART care was not different across arms and achieved the prespecified noninferiority limit (-3.25%) between 3MC vs. 3MF (control); 6MCD vs. 3MF; and 6MCD vs. 3MC, adjusted RD = -0.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): -1.6% to 1.5%], adjusted RD = -1.3% (95% CI: -3.0% to 0.5%), and adjusted RD = -1.2% (95% CI: -2.9% to 0.5%), respectively. After 12 months, 98.6% (n = 1503), 98.1% (n = 1126), and 98.3% (n = 1285) were virally load (VL) suppressed in 3MF, 3MC, and 6MCD, respectively. There were no differences in VL between 3MC vs. control and 6MCD vs. control, risk ratio (RR) = 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.01) and RR = 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98 to 1.01), respectively. CONCLUSIONS There were no differences in retention and VL suppression for stable HIV-infected participants receiving multimonth dispensing of ART within community-based differentiated models when compared with the facility-based standard-of-care model.
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Julien A, Anthierens S, Van Rie A, West R, Maritze M, Twine R, Kahn K, Lippman SA, Pettifor A, Leslie HH. Health Care Providers' Challenges to High-Quality HIV Care and Antiretroviral Treatment Retention in Rural South Africa. QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH 2021; 31:722-735. [PMID: 33570470 PMCID: PMC8221833 DOI: 10.1177/1049732320983270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Provision of high-quality HIV care is challenging, especially in rural primary care clinics in high HIV burden settings. We aimed to better understand the main challenges to quality HIV care provision and retention in antiretroviral treatment (ART) programs in rural South Africa from the health care providers' perspective. We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 23 providers from nine rural clinics. Using thematic and framework analysis, we found that providers and patients face a set of complex and intertwined barriers at the structural, programmatic, and individual levels. More specifically, analyses revealed that their challenges are primarily structural (i.e., health system- and microeconomic context-specific) and programmatic (i.e., clinic- and provider-specific) in nature. We highlight the linkages that providers draw between the challenges they face, the motivation to do their job, the quality of the care they provide, and patients' dissatisfaction with the care they receive, all potentially resulting in poor retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rebecca West
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Meriam Maritze
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Rhian Twine
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Sheri A. Lippman
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Audrey Pettifor
- University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Hannah H. Leslie
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Beres LK, Schwartz S, Simbeza S, McGready J, Eshun-Wilson I, Mwamba C, Sikombe K, Topp SM, Somwe P, Mody A, Mukamba N, Ehrenkranz PD, Padian N, Pry J, Moore CB, Holmes CB, Sikazwe I, Denison JA, Geng E. Patterns and Predictors of Incident Return to HIV Care Among Traced, Disengaged Patients in Zambia: Analysis of a Prospective Cohort. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 86:313-322. [PMID: 33149000 PMCID: PMC7878284 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dynamic movement of patients in and out of HIV care is prevalent, but there is limited information on patterns of patient re-engagement or predictors of return to guide HIV programs to better support patient engagement. METHODS From a probability-based sample of lost to follow-up, adult patients traced by peer educators from 31 Zambian health facilities, we prospectively followed disengaged HIV patients for return clinic visits. We estimated the cumulative incidence of return and the time to return using Kaplan-Meier methods. We used univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression to conduct a risk factor analysis identifying predictors of incident return across a social ecological framework. RESULTS Of the 556 disengaged patients, 73.0% [95% confidence interval (CI): 61.0 to 83.8] returned to HIV care. The median follow-up time from disengagement was 32.3 months (interquartile range: 23.6-38.9). The rate of return decreased with time postdisengagement. Independent predictors of incident return included a previous gap in care [adjusted Hazard Ratio (aHR): 1.95, 95% CI: 1.23 to 3.09] and confronting a stigmatizer once in the past year (aHR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.25 to 3.65). Compared with a rural facility, patients were less likely to return if they sought care from an urban facility (aHR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48 to 0.96) or hospital (aHR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.82). CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed to hasten re-engagement in HIV care. Early and differential interventions by time since disengagement may improve intervention effectiveness. Patients in urban and tertiary care settings may need additional support. Improving patient resilience, outreach after a care gap, and community stigma reduction may facilitate return. Future re-engagement research should include causal evaluation of identified factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K. Beres
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD;
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sandra Simbeza
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
| | - John McGready
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Washington, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Chanda Mwamba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
| | | | - Stephanie M. Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia;
| | - Paul Somwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
| | - Aaloke Mody
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Washington, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Njekwa Mukamba
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
| | | | - Nancy Padian
- Division of Epidemiology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; and
| | - Jake Pry
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Washington, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Carolyn Bolton Moore
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Charles B. Holmes
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD;
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Izukanji Sikazwe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia;
| | - Julie A. Denison
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD;
| | - Elvin Geng
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Washington University School of Medicine, University of Washington, St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
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Limbada M, Bwalya C, Macleod D, Floyd S, Schaap A, Situmbeko V, Hayes R, Fidler S, Ayles H. A comparison of different community models of antiretroviral therapy delivery with the standard of care among stable HIV+ patients: rationale and design of a non-inferiority cluster randomized trial, nested in the HPTN 071 (PopART) study. Trials 2021; 22:52. [PMID: 33430928 PMCID: PMC7802215 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-05010-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2015 guidelines recommending initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) irrespective of CD4 count for all people living with HIV (PLHIV), many countries in sub-Saharan Africa have adopted this strategy to reach epidemic control. As the number of PLHIV on ART rises, maintenance of viral suppression on ART for over 90% of PLHIV remains a challenge to government health systems in resource-limited high HIV burden settings. Non facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery for stable HIV+ patients may increase sustainable ART coverage in resource-limited settings. Within the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, two models, home-based delivery (HBD) or adherence clubs (AC), were offered to assess whether they achieved similar viral load suppression (VLS) to standard of care (SoC). In this paper, we describe the trial design and discuss the methodological issues and challenges. METHODS A three-arm cluster randomized non-inferiority trial, nested in two urban HPTN 071 trial communities in Zambia, randomly allocated 104 zones to SoC (35), HBD (35), or AC (34). ART and adherence support were delivered 3-monthly at home (HBD), adherence clubs (AC), or clinic (SoC). Adult HIV+ patients defined as "stable" on ART were eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was the proportion of PLHIV with virological suppression (≤ 1000 copies HIV RNA/ml) at 12 months (± 3months) after study entry across all three arms. Viral load measurement was done at the routine government laboratories in accordance with national guidelines, annually. The study was powered to determine if either of the community-based interventions would yield a viral suppression rate drop compared to SoC of no more than 5% in its absolute value. Both community-based interventions were delivered by community HIV providers (CHiPs). An additional qualitative study using observations, interviews with PLHIV, and FGDs with community HIV providers was nested in this study to complement the quantitative data. DISCUSSION This trial was designed to provide rigorous randomized evidence of safety and efficacy of non-facility-based delivery of ART for stable PLHIV in high-burden resource-limited settings. This trial will inform policy regarding best practices and what is needed to strengthen scale-up of differentiated models of ART delivery in resource-limited settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03025165 . Registered on 19 January 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Limbada
- Zambart, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Zambart House, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia.
| | - Chiti Bwalya
- Zambart, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Zambart House, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - David Macleod
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sian Floyd
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ab Schaap
- Zambart, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Zambart House, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Vasty Situmbeko
- Zambart, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Zambart House, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Richard Hayes
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Imperial College and Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, UK
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Zambart House, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, P.O. Box 50697, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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