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Mukooza E, Schausberger B, Mmema N, Dlamini V, Aung A, Kerschberger B, Ciglenecki I, Dube L, Wringe A. "It is still very little; I cannot pass it on": a qualitative study of experiences of diagnosis and treatment of acute HIV infection in Eswatini. AIDS Care 2024; 36:308-313. [PMID: 37552882 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2235275] [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: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Acute and early HIV infection (AEHI) is rarely diagnosed in sub-Saharan Africa, despite its potential contribution to incidence reduction. This qualitative study in Eswatini explored the experiences of health workers, people diagnosed with AEHI, and their partners towards AEHI diagnosis, to inform its scale-up. In-depth interviews were undertaken with 11 women and four men diagnosed with AEHI. Three patients' partners were interviewed about their understanding of AEHI and six health workers were interviewed about experiences of delivering AEHI services. Data were coded inductively and analysed iteratively following the principles of grounded theory. Experiences with AEHI diagnoses were shaped by (i) understanding the nature and consequences of AEHI, and (ii) social norms that influence disclosure and sexual behaviour. AEHI was a new concept for health workers who struggled to explain it to patients, leading to some confusion over their HIV status and misunderstandings around its high transmissibility and prognosis. Disclosure tended to occur to primary partners, if at all, limiting the ability to provide partner services, and one relationship breakdown was reported. If AEHI diagnosis and care interventions are to realise their full potential, it will be essential to reinforce the accompanying counselling sessions and closely monitor for potential social harms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aung Aung
- Médecins sans Frontières (OCG), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | | | - Lenhle Dube
- Eswatini National Aids Programme (ENAP), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Alison Wringe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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Nicholls EJ, Policek N, Volny-Anne A, Spire B, Burns F, Ruiz-Burga E, Tariq S. A systematic review of qualitative research on recently acquired HIV. AIDS 2023; 37:2199-2212. [PMID: 37650757 PMCID: PMC10621639 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003697] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recently acquired HIV is a critical time when people may experience debilitating symptoms and is when they are most likely to pass HIV on. Qualitative research offers insights into lived experiences and a deeper understanding of the contextual factors underlying HIV acquisition. We aimed to synthesize qualitative literature on recently acquired HIV. DESIGN Systematic review and textual narrative synthesis. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO and Sociology Database. Articles were screened, and two authors completed full text review and data extraction. Quality appraisal was conducted (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Studies Checklist) and certainty of findings graded (GRADE-CERQual). RESULTS We reviewed 1890 articles (1554 following de-duplication), excluding 1539. Fifteen articles were included and an additional article was included after updating the search. We identified 15 themes, three of which we have high confidence in: recent acquisition of HIV facilitates understanding of circumstances of HIV acquisition; indeterminate HIV tests generate uncertainty and anxiety; and people with recently acquired HIV are motivated to reduce risk of onward transmission. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the importance of continued research into recently acquired HIV, as well as the need for support to manage the emotional impact of indeterminate test results and negotiate risk reduction. We found no studies exploring sexual risk in the context of recently acquired HIV, or use of pre-exposure prophylaxis or treatment as prevention. The literature is primarily focused on HIV acquisition from an individual and behavioural perspective, neglecting important aspects of lived experience such as immediate ART, stigma, and health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Spire
- Aix Marseille Univ., Inserm, IRD, SESSTIM, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Fiona Burns
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | | | - Shema Tariq
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London
- Mortimer Market Centre, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Gilbertson A, Tucker JD, Dubé K, Dijkstra M, Rennie S. Ethical considerations for HIV remission clinical research involving participants diagnosed during acute HIV infection. BMC Med Ethics 2021; 22:169. [PMID: 34961509 PMCID: PMC8714439 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00716-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV remission clinical researchers are increasingly seeking study participants who are diagnosed and treated during acute HIV infection—the brief period between infection and the point when the body creates detectable HIV antibodies. This earliest stage of infection is often marked by flu-like illness and may be an especially tumultuous period of confusion, guilt, anger, and uncertainty. Such experiences may present added ethical challenges for HIV research recruitment, participation, and retention. The purpose of this paper is to identify potential ethical challenges associated with involving acutely diagnosed people living with HIV in remission research and considerations for how to mitigate them. We identify three domains of potential ethical concern for clinicians, researchers, and ethics committee members to consider: 1) Recruitment and informed consent; (2) Transmission risks and partner protection; and (3) Ancillary and continuing care. We discuss each of these domains with the aim of inspiring further work to advance the ethical conduct of HIV remission research. For example, experiences of confusion and uncertainty regarding illness and diagnosis during acute HIV infection may complicate informed consent procedures in studies that seek to recruit directly after diagnosis. To address this, it may be appropriate to use staged re-consent procedures or comprehension assessment. Responsible conduct of research requires a broad understanding of acute HIV infection that encompasses its biomedical, psychological, social, and behavioral dimensions. We argue that the lived experience of acute HIV infection may introduce ethical concerns that researchers and reviewers should address during study design and ethical approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Gilbertson
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Chapel Hill Center, 101 Conner Drive, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, NC, 27514-7038, USA. .,UNC Center for Bioethics, Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WCE1, UK.,UNC Project-China, 2 Lujing Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Karine Dubé
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Maartje Dijkstra
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Stuart Rennie
- UNC Center for Bioethics, Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
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Hino S, Grodensky C, Rutstein SE, Golin C, Smith MK, Christmas L, Miller W, Phiri S, Massa C, Kamanga G, Pettifor A. HIV status disclosure during acute HIV infection in Malawi. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201265. [PMID: 30048496 PMCID: PMC6062079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of acute HIV infection (AHI) presents an opportunity to prevent HIV transmission during a highly infectious period. Disclosure is important during AHI as a means to facilitate safer sex practices and notify partners, particularly as those with AHI may be better able to identify the source of their infection because of the recency of HIV acquisition. However, little is known about disclosure during AHI. We conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with Malawians diagnosed with AHI (24 men; 21 married). Most participants reported disclosing to a sexual partner within a month of diagnosis, and knew or had a strong suspicion about the source of their infection. Participants often assumed their source had knowingly infected them, contributing to anger and feeling that disclosure is futile if the source already knew their HIV status. Assisted partner notification, individual and couples counseling, and couples HIV testing may facilitate disclosure during AHI. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01450189.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Hino
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Catherine Grodensky
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Sarah E. Rutstein
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Carol Golin
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Center for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - M. Kumi Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Lawrenson Christmas
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - William Miller
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | | | - Cecilia Massa
- University of North Carolina Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Gift Kamanga
- University of North Carolina Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Audrey Pettifor
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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