Urban-rural disparity in sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors of HIV-positive adolescent girls and young women and their perspectives on their male sexual partners: A cross-sectional study in Zimbabwe

Consistent condom utilization among sexually active HIV positive individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aimed to ascertain the pooled prevalence and trend of consistent condom use in Sub-Saharan Africa, addressing the fragmented and inconsistent research on its role in preventing HIV transmission. In this meta-analysis, we systematically searched electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Global Index Medicus, ScienceDirect, Africa-Wide Information (via EBSCOhost), as well as clinical trial registries, and the search engine Google Scholar. All necessary data were extracted using a standardized data extraction format. The data were analyzed using STATA 17 statistical software. Heterogeneity among the studies was assessed using the I2 test. A random-effect model was computed to estimate the pooled rate of consistent condom utilization. This meta-analysis, which included thirty-three full-text studies, found a pooled prevalence of 44.66% (95% CI 18.49-70.83; I2 = 0.00%) for consistent condom use in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the prevalence fluctuated between 2007 and 2022, the year-to-year variations were not statistically significant. The current study identified low rates of consistent condom use, with utilization fluctuating annually in the study area. Therefore, uncovering the underlying reasons and addressing barriers to consistent condom use is crucial in the region.

Age-disparate and intergenerational sex partnerships and HIV: the role of gender norms among adolescent girls and young women in Malawi

BACKGROUND

Age-mixing (age-disparate [5-9 years difference] and intergenerational [≥ 10 years difference]) partnerships are hypothesized drivers of HIV in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW; 15-24 years). These partnerships are often associated with increased gender inequities which undermine women's agency and assertiveness. We assessed whether age-mixing partnerships were associated with HIV in Malawi and if endorsement of inequitable gender norms modifies this relationship.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the Malawi Population-based HIV Impact Assessment, a nationally representative household survey conducted in 2015-2016. Participants underwent HIV testing and completed questionnaires related to actively endorsed gender norms and sexual risk behavior. We used multivariate logistic regression and multiplicative interaction to assess associations among AGYW who reported the age of their primary sex partner from the last year.

RESULTS

The analysis included 1,958 AGYW (mean age = 19.9 years, SD = 0.1), 459 (23.4%) and 131 (6.7%) of whom reported age-disparate and intergenerational partnerships, respectively. AGYW in age-mixing partnerships accounted for 13% of all AGYW and were older, more likely to reside in urban areas, to be married or cohabitating with a partner, and to have engaged in riskier sexual behavior compared with AGYW in age-concordant partnerships (p < 0.05). HIV prevalence among AGYW in age-disparate and intergenerational partnerships was 6.1% and 11.9%, respectively, compared with 3.2% in age-concordant partnerships (p < 0.001). After adjusting for residence, age, education, employment, wealth quintile, and ever been married or cohabitated as married, AGYW in age-disparate and intergenerational partnerships had 1.9 (95% CI: 1.1-3.5) and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.6-7.2) greater odds of HIV, respectively, compared with AGYW in age-concordant partnerships. Among the 614 (31% of the study group) who endorsed inequitable gender norms, AGYW in age-disparate and intergenerational partnerships had 3.5 (95% CI: 1.1-11.8) and 6.4 (95% CI: 1.5-27.8) greater odds of HIV, respectively, compared with AGYW in age-concordant partnerships.

CONCLUSIONS

In this Malawi general population survey, age-mixing partnerships were associated with increased odds of HIV among AGYW. These findings highlight inequitable gender norms as a potential focus for HIV prevention and could inform interventions targeting structural, cultural, and social constraints of this key group.

HIV viral load suppression before and after COVID-19 in Kinshasa and Haut Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in unique programmatic opportunities to test hypotheses related to the initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and viral load (VL) suppression during a global health crisis, which would not otherwise have been possible.

Objectives

To generate practice-relevant evidence on the impact of initiating ART pre-COVID-19 versus during the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV VL.

Method

Logistic regression was performed on data covering 6596 persons with HIV whose VL data were available, out of 36 585 persons who were initiated on ART between 01 April 2019 and 30 March 2021.

Results

After controlling for covariates such as age, gender, duration on ART, tuberculosis status at the time of the last visit, and rural vs urban status, the odds of having a VL < 1000 copies/mL were significantly higher for clients who started ART during the COVID-19 pandemic than the year before COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.50; confidence interval [CI]: 1.55–4.01; P < 0.001). Odds of having a VL < 1000 copies/mL were also significantly higher among female participants than male (AOR: 1.23; CI: 1.02–1.48), among patients attending rural clinics compared to those attending urban clinics (AOR: 1.83; CI: 1.47–2.28), and in clients who were 15 years or older at the time of their last visit (AOR: 1.50; CI: 1.07–2.11).

Conclusion

Viral loads did not deteriorate despite pandemic-induced changes in HIV services such as the expansion of multi-month dispensing (MMD), which may have played a protective role regardless of the general negative impacts of response to the COVID-19 crises on communities and individuals.

What this study adds

This research capitalises on the natural experiment of COVID-19-related changes in HIV services and provides new practice-relevant research evidence.

Evaluation of the interventions on HIV case management and its association with cART adherence and disclosure of the disease status among HIV-positive adults under treatment

The rate of prevalence of HIV among adults has been increasing in sub-Saharan African countries over the last decade. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interventions on HIV case management based on cART adherence and disclosure of HIV disease status among HIV-positive adults under treatment. A retrospective cohort longitudinal data was conducted on 792 randomly selected patients in the study area. Engagement of HIV-positive persons into care and achieving treatment outcomes such as the disclosure of HIV status and cART adherence were fundamental for HIV prevention strategy. The two response variables under the current investigation were evaluation of intervention on HIV case management interims cART adherence and disclosure of HIV status. Binary logistic regression was conducted for separate models. Among the predictors, age of patients (AOR = 1.020, 95% CI (1.016, 1.191); p value = 0.005), the number of follow-up (AOR = 1.014, 95% CI (1.023, 1.030); p value < 0.0001). CD4 cell count (AOR = 0.981; 95% CI (0.765, 0.971), p value < 0.01), Marital status (AOR = 1.013; 95% CI (1.002, 1.015), p value = 0.006), female patients (AOR = 1.014; 95% CI (1.001, 1.121), p value < 0.007), rural (AOR = 0.982; 95% CI (0.665, 0.998), p value = 0.004), non-educated adult patients (AOR = 0.950, 95% CI (0.92. 0.98). p value = 0.003), Non-existence of social violence (AOR = 1.012, 95% CI (1.008, 1.234), p value < 0.01), adult with non-opportunistic diseases (AOR = 1.021, 95% CI (1.002. 1.042). p value = 0.001) significantly affected the two response variables jointly. Interventions on HIV case management lead to an efficient continuum of successful treatment outcomes like disclosure of HIV status and cART adherence. Hence, HIV case management intervention and the two results had a positive association. HIV case management intervention should be given to younger patients, rural residents, and non-educated patients to disclose the disease status and to have a long life with the virus. Health-related education should be conducted for the community in general and for patients in particular on how HIV is transferred from an infected person to an uninfected one. This helps to reduce the stigma of patients and to deliver social support to patients.

Prevalence for the Disclosure of HIV Status to Sexual Partners and Its Determinants among Adults under cART in Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia

Background

Globally, the transmission of HIV from one individual to another causes 1.8 million new infections each year, 36.7 million people living with HIV, and one million people died from HIV-related illnesses. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners and its determinants among adults under cART in the Amhara Region, northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A retrospective study design was conducted on 792 randomly selected samples. The study was conducted in the Amhara Region, from 2015 to 2020. A binary logistic regression modeling was used for data analysis. The data were collected using a stratified random sampling technique where the residential areas were considered strata. Data were collected by trained health practitioners in the ART section in Felege Hiwot Teaching and Specialized Hospital. The hospital is a referral in which many patients from different districts and zonal hospitals in the region are referred to this hospital.

Results

The rate of disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners in this study was 21%, which is very low compared to the average rate of disclosure in developing countries. Among the predictors, age of patients (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI:(1.001,1.120); p-value = 0.004); number of baseline CD4 cell count (AOR = 0.980; 95% CI: (0.764, 0.991); p-value<0.01); number of hospital visits (AOR = 1.01; 95% CI: (1.001, 1.034); p-value < 0.01); marital status (living with partner) (AOR = 1.01; 95% CI: (1.003, 1.112); p-value = 0.006); female HIV-positive adults (AOR = 1.01; 95% CI: (1.001, 1.021); p-value = 0.007); rural residence (AOR = 0.98; 95% CI: (0.96, 0.99); p-value = 0.004); non-educated adult patients (AOR = 0.950, 95% CI: (0.92. 0.98); p-value = 0.003); cART non-adherent adult patients (AOR = 0.940, 95% CI: (0.61. 0.97); p-value < 0.001); non-opportunistic infectious diseases (AOR = 1.062, 95% CI: (1.049. 1.191); p-value = 0.002); and non-existence of social violence (AOR = 1.012, 95% CI: (1.008, 1.); p-value < 0.01) significantly affected the variable of interest. Of these, the number of CD4 cell count, male HIV-positive adults, rural residence, and existence of social violence negatively affected the variable of interest.

Conclusions

Some groups of HIV patients did not disclose their level of HIV status to their sexual partners. Health-related education is recommended for patients who did not disclose their HIV status to sexual partners. This helps to reduce the transmission of HIV from infected individuals to noninfected ones and from mother-to-child HIV transmission.

Factors Associated with HIV Status Disclosure to Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living with HIV: Results from a Longitudinal Study in Tanzania

Background

The Tanzanian national guideline for pediatric HIV disclosure recommends beginning disclosure as early as age 4–6 years; full disclosure is recommended at the age of 8–10 years. Despite clear procedures, the disclosure rate in Tanzania remains relatively low. This study assessed the factors associated with HIV status disclosure to orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV (OVCLHIV).

Methods

Data for this analysis come from the USAID-funded Kizazi Kipya program in Tanzania that provides health and social services to OVC and caregivers of HIV-affected households. Data were collected between January 2018 and March 2019. Disclosure status was self-reported by caregivers of children aged 8 years or above. Beneficiary characteristics were included as independent variables. Generalized estimating equations took into account the clustering effect of the study design.

Results

Of the 10673 OVCLHIV, most were females (52.43%), and 80.67% were enrolled in school. More than half (54.89%) were from households in rural areas. Caregivers were mostly females (70.66%), three quarters were between 31 and 60 years old and had a complete primary education (67.15%), and 57.75% were HIV-infected. Most of the OVCLHIV (87.31%) had a disclosed HIV status. Greater OVCLHIV age (p < 0.001), school enrollment (OR = 1.22; 95% CI 1.06, 1.41), urban location of household (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.44, 1.86), caregivers' higher education level (p < 0.001), and caregiver HIV-positive status (OR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.09, 1.43) were positively associated with disclosure status. OVCLHIV of female caregivers were 27% less likely to have been disclosed than those of male caregivers.

Conclusion

The disclosure rate among OVCLHIV in this study was high. Disclosure of HIV status is crucial and beneficial for OVCLHIV continuum of care. Caregivers should be supported for the disclosure process through community-based programs and involvement of health volunteers. Policymakers should take into consideration the characteristics of children, their caregivers, and location of households in making disclosure guidelines as adaptable as possible.

Predictors of Poor Adherence to CART and Treatment Failure at Second-Line Regimens Among Adults in Public Hospitals of Amhara Region, North-Western Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Globally, HIV/AIDS has challenged the lives of 36.3 million people and resulted in 17 million orphans. The disease has neither a vaccine nor a cure and the only option currently is highly active antiretroviral therapy. This research was conducted to identify the predictors of poor adherence to CART and treatment failure at second-line regimen among adults living with HIV/AIDS in public hospitals of Amhara region, north-western Ethiopia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study design was conducted on 700 HIV-positive people who were receiving a second-line CART regimen. Participants on second-line regimens who followed their treatment between 2016 and 2019 were considered. Data were extracted from participants' clinical charts from June 18-July 7, 2020.

RESULTS

A multivariate regression analysis indicates that age of patients (OR = 1.025, 95% CI: 1.001-1.321; p = 0.005), follow-up visits (OR = 0.979, 95% CI: 0.873-0.998; p < 0.001), CD4 cell count change (OR = 0.9860; 95% CI: 0.835-0.998; p < 0.01), marital status (OR = 0.973, 95% CI: 0.789- 0.997; p = 0.006), female HIV-infected patients (OR = 0.990; 95% CI: 0.789-0.999; p <0.001), rural patients (OR = 1.151; 95% CI 1.065-1.398; p = 0.004), non-educated adult patients (OR = 1.026, 95% CI: 1.002-1.198; p = 0.003), existence of social violence (OR = 0.012, 95% CI: 0.008-0.134; p< 0.01), patients with opportunistic diseases (OR = 1.0345, 95% CI 1.002-1.142; p = 0.001), CD4 cell count (OR = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.843-0.995; p = 0.025) and malnutrition (OR = 0.883, 95% CI; 0.762-0.954; p = 0.001) significantly affected the two response variables.

CONCLUSION

Several variables affected both poor adherence to HAART and treatment failure at second-line regimens in the current investigation. Due attention should be given to aged patients, rural residents, non-educated patients, and patients with other morbidities to be successful with second-line treatment regimens.