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Outcomes of retained and disengaged pregnant women living with HIV in Uganda. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251413. [PMID: 34019568 PMCID: PMC8139492 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Loss-to-follow-up among women living with HIV (WLWHIV) may lead to unfavorable outcomes for both mother and exposed infant. This study traced WLWHIV disengaged from care and their infants and compared their outcomes with those retained in care. Methods The study included WLWHIV who initiated ART during pregnancy at six public clinics in Uganda. A woman was defined as disengaged (DW) if she had not attended her 6-week post-partum visit by 10 weeks after her estimated date of delivery. DW were matched with retained women (RW) by age and duration on ART. Nurse counselors traced all selected DW via telephone and community visits to assess vital status, infant HIV sero-status and maternal HIV viral load through blood draws. Results Between July 2017 and July 2018, 734 women (359 DW and 375 RW) were identified for the study. Tracing was attempted on 349 DW and 160 (44.6%) were successfully located and enrolled in the study. They were matched with 162 RW. Among DW, 52 (32.5%) transferred to another health facility. Very few DW, 39.0% were HIV virally suppressed (<1000 copies/ml) compared to RW 89.5%, P<0.001). Among 138 babies born to DW, 4.3% tested positive for HIV compared to 1.4% among babies born to RW (P = 0.163). Conclusion Pregnant and breastfeeding WLWHIV who disengage from care are difficult to find in urban environments. Many have detectable viral loads, leading to the potential for an increased risk of MTCT. Efforts to reduce disengagement from care are critical for the successful elimination of MTCT in resource-limited settings.
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Matthews LT, Orrell C, Bwana MB, Tsai AC, Psaros C, Asiimwe S, Amanyire G, Musinguzi N, Bell K, Bangsberg DR, Haberer JE. Adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy among pregnant and postpartum women during the Option B+ era: 12-month cohort study in urban South Africa and rural Uganda. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25586. [PMID: 32820622 PMCID: PMC7441010 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We conducted a cohort study to understand patterns of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) adherence during pregnancy, postpartum and non-pregnancy follow-up among women initiating ART in public clinics offering Option B+ in rural Uganda and urban South Africa. METHODS We collected survey data, continuously monitored ART adherence (Wisepill), HIV-RNA and pregnancy tests at zero, six and twelve months from women initiating ART in Uganda and South Africa, 2015 to 2017. The primary predictor of interest was follow-up time categorized as pregnant (pregnancy diagnosis to pregnancy end), postpartum (pregnancy end to study exit) or non-pregnancy-related (neither pregnant nor postpartum). Fractional regression models included demographics and socio-behavioural factors informed by the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations. We evaluated HIV-RNA at 12 months by ever- versus never-pregnant status. RESULTS In Uganda, 247 women contributed 676, 900 and 1274 months of pregnancy, postpartum and non-pregnancy-related follow-up. Median ART adherence was consistently ≥90%: pregnancy, 94% (interquartile range [IQR] 78,98); postpartum, 90% (IQR 70,97) and non-pregnancy, 90% (IQR 80,98). Poorer adherence was associated with younger age (0.98% [95% CI 0.33%, 1.62%] average increase per year of age) and higher CD4 cell count (1.01% [0.08%, 1.94%] average decrease per 50 cells/mm3 ). HIV-RNA was suppressed among 91% (N = 135) ever-pregnant and 86% (N = 85) never-pregnant women. In South Africa, 190 women contributed 259, 624 and 1247 months of pregnancy, postpartum and non-pregnancy-related follow-up. Median adherence was low during pregnancy, 74% (IQR 31,96); postpartum, 40% (IQR 4,65) and non-pregnancy, 77% (IQR 47,92). Poorer adherence was associated with postpartum status (22.3% [95%CI 8.6%, 35.4%] average decrease compared to non-pregnancy-related follow-up) and less emotional support (1.4% [0.22%, 2.58%] average increase per unit increase). HIV-RNA was suppressed among 57% (N = 47) ever-pregnant and 86% (N = 93) never-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS Women in rural Uganda maintained high adherence with 91% of ever-pregnant and 86% of never-pregnant women suppressing HIV-RNA at 12 months. Women in urban South Africa struggled with adherence, particularly during postpartum follow-up with median adherence of 40% and 57% of women with HIV-RNA suppression at one year, suggesting a crisis for postpartum women with HIV in South Africa. Findings suggest that effective interventions should promote emotional support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn T Matthews
- Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamALUSA
- Department of MedicineMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | | | | | - Alexander C Tsai
- Mbarara University of Science and TechnologyMbararaUganda
- Center for Global HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Harvard Center for Population and Development StudiesBostonMAUSA
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of PsychiatryMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Stephen Asiimwe
- Mbarara University of Science and TechnologyMbararaUganda
- Center for Global HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Kabwohe Clinical Research Center (KCRC)KabwoheUganda
| | - Gideon Amanyire
- Makerere‐Mbarara Universities Joint AIDS Program (MJAP)MbararaUganda
| | - Nicholas Musinguzi
- Mbarara University of Science and TechnologyMbararaUganda
- Center for Global HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Kathleen Bell
- Center for Global HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - David R Bangsberg
- School of Public HealthOregon Health and Science University/Portland State UniversityPortlandORUSA
| | - Jessica E Haberer
- Department of MedicineMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Center for Global HealthMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
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Reidy W, Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha H, Shongwe S, Sahabo R, Hartsough K, Wu Y, Gachuhi A, Mthethwa-Hleta S, Abrams EJ. Engagement in care among women and their infants lost to follow-up under Option B+ in eSwatini. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222959. [PMID: 31665137 PMCID: PMC6821080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Universal antiretroviral treatment (ART) for pregnant women with HIV, Option B+, has been adopted widely for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). Some evidence shows high loss to follow-up (LTF) under this model. However, gaps in data systems limit this evidence. We collected additional information for women and infants LTF from Option B+ in Eswatini to assess more accurate outcomes. Methods LTF at 6-months postpartum was assessed using facility data. Additional data was gathered from: 1) the national ART database and paper records; 2) patient tracing; and 3) interviews and abstraction from patient-held records. Engagement in care was defined as any clinic visit within 91 days before or after 6-months postpartum or completion of a documented transfer; or, for those traced but not completing study interviews, visits at 6-months postpartum or later (for infants), or visits within 3-months of tracing (for women). Multivariable loglinear models were used to identify correlates of engagement. Results One-hundred-ninety-four (44.7%) of 434 LTF women had outcomes ascertained, including 122 (62.9%) women engaged in care. Among 510 LTF infants, 265 (52.0%) had ascertained outcomes, including 143 (54.0%) engaged in care, 47 (17.7%) pregnancy losses, and 18 (6.8%) deaths. Seventy-two of 189 live infants (38.1%) with ascertained outcomes had a 6-week early infant diagnostic (EID) test. Among women with ascertained outcomes, gestational age of 20+ weeks (vs. fewer than 20 weeks, aRR 0.80; 95% CI 0.68–0.94) and age 25–29 years (vs. 15–24 years, aRR 0.81; 95% CI 0.67–0.97), were associated with lower engagement; initiating ART after first ANC visit was associated with higher engagement (vs. at first ANC visit, aRR 1.12; 95% CI 1.04–1.21). Among infants with ascertained outcomes, mother not initiating ART was associated with lower engagement (vs. ART at first ANC visit, aRR 0.71; 95% CI 0.54–0.91). Conclusion Substantial numbers of women and infants classified as LTF under Option B+ were engaged in care, though a suboptimal level of 6-week EID testing was observed. These findings highlight a need to improve coverage of routine EID testing, and improve data systems to better capture PMTCT patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Reidy
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Harriet Nuwagaba-Biribonwoha
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Siphesihle Shongwe
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ruben Sahabo
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Kieran Hartsough
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Yingfeng Wu
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Averie Gachuhi
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | | | - Elaine J. Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
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