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Singata-Madliki M, Smit J, Beksinska M, Balakrishna Y, Avenant C, Beesham I, Seocharan I, Batting J, Hapgood JP, Hofmeyr GJ. Effects of injectable contraception with depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or norethisterone enanthate on estradiol levels and menstrual, psychological and behavioral measures relevant to HIV risk: The WHICH randomized trial. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295764. [PMID: 38530848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Observational data suggest lower HIV risk with norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) than with depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate intramuscular (DMPA-IM) injectable contraceptives. If confirmed, a switch between these similar injectable methods would be programmatically feasible and could impact the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. We aimed in this paper to investigate the effects of DMPA-IM and NET-EN on estradiol levels, measures of depression and sexual activity and menstrual effects, relevant to HIV risk; and to ascertain whether these measures are associated with estradiol levels. METHODS This open-label trial conducted at two sites in South Africa from 5 November 2018 to 30 November 2019, randomized HIV-negative women aged 18-40 to DMPA-IM 150 mg intramuscular 12-weekly (n = 262) or NET-EN 200 mg intramuscular 8-weekly (n = 259). Data were collected on hormonal, behavioral and menstrual effects at baseline and at 25 weeks (25W). RESULTS At 25W, median 17β estradiol levels were substantially lower than at baseline (p<0.001) for both methods: 76.5 pmol/L (interquartile range (IQR) 54.1 to 104.2) in the DMPA-IM group (n = 222), and 69.8 pmol/L (IQR: 55.1 to 89.3) in the NET-EN group (n = 225), with no statistical difference between the two methods (p = 0.450). Compared with DMPA-IM, NET-EN users reported significantly less amenorrhoea, fewer sexual acts, fewer users reporting at least one act of unprotected sex, more condom use with steady partner, more days with urge for sexual intercourse, more days feeling partner does not love her, and more days feeling sad for no reason. We did not find a clear association between estradiol levels and sexual behavior, depression and menstrual effects. Behavioral outcomes suggest less sexual exposure with NET-EN than DMPA-IM. The strength of this evidence is high due to the randomized study design and the consistency of results across the outcomes measured. CONCLUSIONS Estradiol levels were reduced to postmenopausal levels by both methods. Secondary outcomes suggesting less sexual exposure with NET-EN are consistent with reported observational evidence of less HIV risk with NET-EN. A randomized trial powered for HIV acquisition is feasible and needed to answer this important question. TRIAL REGISTRATION PACTR 202009758229976.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandisa Singata-Madliki
- Effective Care Research Unit, Eastern Cape Department of Health/Universities of the Witwatersrand and Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
| | - Jenni Smit
- Wits MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mags Beksinska
- Wits MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Yusentha Balakrishna
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Chanel Avenant
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ivana Beesham
- Wits MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Ishen Seocharan
- Biostatistics Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joanne Batting
- Effective Care Research Unit, Eastern Cape Department of Health/Universities of the Witwatersrand and Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
| | - Janet P Hapgood
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - G Justus Hofmeyr
- Effective Care Research Unit, Eastern Cape Department of Health/Universities of the Witwatersrand and Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
- Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Botswana, Gabarone, Botswana
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Mugambi ML, Pintye J, Heffron R, Barnabas RV, John-Stewart G. HIV Prevention Tools Across the Pregnancy Continuum: What Works, What Does Not, and What Can We Do Differently? Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:293-300. [PMID: 35984551 PMCID: PMC9717592 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00621-1] [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] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Multiple tools exist to support the primary prevention of HIV in pregnant and postpartum women; however, there are opportunities to enhance their use and impact. This review summarizes the current status of HIV prevention tools and existing gaps and opportunities to improve their use along the pregnancy care continuum. RECENT FINDINGS HIV screening efforts have steadily improved with close to universal screening of pregnant women in several East and Southern African countries. Strategies to implement partner testing through the distribution of HIV self-test kits are promising though linkage to care remains challenging. Syphilis screening rates are increasing though detection of other sexually transmitted infections could benefit from improved diagnostic capacity. Male and female condoms are rarely used and are often not the optimal tool of choice during pregnancy. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a promising tool, although barriers such as the need for daily adherence, side effects, and stigma may limit its use. There is a growing pipeline of PrEP agents with alternative delivery platforms that might suit women's preferences better and supports the notion that choice is vital to improving HIV prevention coverage during the pregnancy-postpartum continuum. Clear guidance on which tools to use and how to use them, safety data supporting their use, and surveillance data documenting the scale and effectiveness of the tools will be imperative in establishing a path to more impactful prevention efforts among pregnant and postpartum women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Latigo Mugambi
- Department of Global Health, Hans Rosling Center, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Box 351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Jillian Pintye
- Department of Global Health, Hans Rosling Center, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Box 351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Renee Heffron
- Department of Global Health, Hans Rosling Center, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Box 351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, AB, USA
| | - Ruanne Vanessa Barnabas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, Hans Rosling Center, University of Washington, 3980 15th Ave NE, Box 351620, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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