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Kibel M, Nyambura M, Embleton L, Kiptui R, Galárraga O, Apondi E, Ayuku D, Braitstein P. Enabling Adherence to Treatment (EAT): a pilot study of a combination intervention to improve HIV treatment outcomes among street-connected individuals in western Kenya. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1331. [PMID: 38037045 PMCID: PMC10691070 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10215-1] [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] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Street-connected individuals (SCI) in Kenya experience barriers to accessing HIV care. This pilot study provides proof-of-concept for Enabling Adherence to Treatment (EAT), a combination intervention providing modified directly observed therapy (mDOT), daily meals, and peer navigation services to SCI living with HIV or requiring therapy for other conditions (e.g. tuberculosis). The goal of the EAT intervention was to improve engagement in HIV care and viral suppression among SCI living with HIV in an urban setting in Kenya. METHODS This pilot study used a single group, pre/post-test design, and enrolled a convenience sample of self-identified SCI of any age. Participants were able to access free hot meals, peer navigation services, and mDOT 6 days per week. We carried out descriptive statistics to characterize participants' engagement in EAT and HIV treatment outcomes. We used McNemar's chi-square test to calculate unadjusted differences in HIV outcomes pre- and post-intervention among participants enrolled in HIV care prior to EAT. We compared unadjusted time to initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and first episode of viral load (VL) suppression among participants enrolled in HIV care prior to EAT vs. concurrently with EAT using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. We calculated total, fixed, and variable costs of the intervention. RESULTS Between July 2018 and February 2020, EAT enrolled 87 participants: 46 (53%) female and 75 (86%) living with HIV. At baseline, 60 out of 75 participants living with HIV (80%) had previously enrolled in HIV care. Out of 60, 56 (93%) had initiated ART, 44 (73%) were active in care, and 25 (42%) were virally suppressed (VL < 1000 copies/mL) at their last VL measure in the 19 months before EAT. After 19 months of follow-up, all 75 participants living with HIV had enrolled in HIV care and initiated ART, 65 (87%) were active in care, and 44 (59%) were virally suppressed at their last VL measure. Among the participants who were enrolled in HIV care before EAT, there was a significant increase in the proportion who were active in HIV care and virally suppressed at their last VL measure during EAT enrollment compared to before EAT enrollment. Participants who enrolled in HIV care concurrently with EAT had a significantly shorter time to initiation of ART and first episode of viral suppression compared to participants who enrolled in HIV care prior to EAT. The total cost of the intervention over 19 months was USD $57,448.64. Fixed costs were USD $3623.04 and variable costs were USD $63.75/month/participant. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study provided proof of concept that EAT, a combination intervention providing mDOT, food, and peer navigation services, was feasible to implement and may support engagement in HIV care and achievement of viral suppression among SCI living with HIV in an urban setting in Kenya. Future work should focus on controlled trials of EAT, assessments of feasibility in other contexts, and cost-effectiveness studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia Kibel
- MD Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Monicah Nyambura
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Lonnie Embleton
- MD Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Global Health and Health System Design, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Reuben Kiptui
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services Policy and Practice, and International Health Institute, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Edith Apondi
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
- Department of Child Health and Paediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - David Ayuku
- Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Paula Braitstein
- MD Program, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), P.O. Box 4606-30100, Eldoret, Kenya
- Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
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Grammatikopoulou MG, Gkiouras K, Pepa A, Persynaki A, Taousani E, Milapidou M, Smyrnakis E, Goulis DG. Health status of women affected by homelessness: A cluster of in concreto human rights violations and a time for action. Maturitas 2021; 154:31-45. [PMID: 34736578 DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.09.007] [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: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Health problems of women experiencing homelessness are driven either from the usual background characteristics of this population, or from the homeless lifestyle. Apart from poverty and unemployment, transition to homelessness is often associated with substance abuse, history of victimization, stress, poor mental health and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Water insecurity can undermine bodily hygiene and dental health, posing a greater risk of dehydration and opportunistic infections. Exposure to extreme environmental conditions like heat waves and natural disasters increases morbidity, accelerates aging, and reduces life expectancy. Nutrition-wise, a high prevalence of food insecurity, obesity, and micronutrient deficiencies are apparent due to low diet quality and food waste. Poor hygiene, violence, and overcrowding increase the susceptibility of these women to communicable diseases, including sexually transmitted ones and COVID-19. Furthermore, established cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus are often either undertreated or neglected, and their complications are more widespread than in the general population. In addition, lack of medical screening and contraception non-use induce a variety of reproductive health issues. All these health conditions are tightly related to violations of human rights in this population, including the rights to housing, water, food, reproduction, health, work, and no discrimination. Thus, the care provided to women experiencing homelessness should be optimized at a multidimensional level, spanning beyond the provision of a warm bed, to include access to clean water and sanitation, psychological support and stress-coping strategies, disease management and acute health care, food of adequate quality, opportunities for employment and support for any minor dependants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria G Grammatikopoulou
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Alexander Campus, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Gkiouras
- Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aleks Pepa
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Agricultural University of Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleftheria Taousani
- Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, Alexander Campus, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Milapidou
- Dr. Juris, Post Doc Researcher, Faculty of Law, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Smyrnakis
- Laboratory of Primary Health Care, General Practice and Health Services Research, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G Goulis
- Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Osei Asibey B, Conroy E, Marjadi B. Health problems and healthcare service utilisation amongst homeless adults in Africa- a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:594. [PMID: 32357856 PMCID: PMC7193394 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08648-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Homelessness is a growing concern as it affects a large number of people worldwide. Individuals and families experiencing homelessness are vulnerable in terms of health and underutilise health services. Despite being a global problem, not much is known about the range and breath of literature exploring health problems and health care service utilisation among homeless adults in Africa. OBJECTIVES To identify the nature and scope of existing evidence on physical and mental health, and health service utilisation among homeless adults in Africa. The review aimed to examine how research is conducted, identify gaps, guide future research, and make recommendations for development and implementation of policies and practices. METHODS A search of articles and reports involving six databases: Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, African Journal Online, and Google Scholar was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019. Studies published between 1980 and 2019 that examined the health problems and health service utilisation among homeless adults in Africa were considered. Manual search in reference lists and grey literature was also done to add reports. Data was extracted manually using a charting developed. A descriptive analysis and narrative synthesis were performed. RESULTS Of 761 records found, 14 satisfied the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Three themes emerged from the studies: Physical health problems, mental health problems; and healthcare services utilisation. Of the 14 included studies, nine studied and reported physical health problems such as sexually transmitted infections, injuries and disabilities, respiratory and cardiac diseases. Five studies explored mental health problems such as psychotic disorders, mood disorders, self-harm and suicidal behaviour. Only five studies investigated utilisation of different types of health care services among homeless people. CONCLUSIONS Evidence shows that homeless adults suffered from a range of physical and mental health problems, and underutilisation of health care services. However, there is lack of information on the complex interrelationship between homelessness and health, as well as differences in prevalence of health problems among the various sub-groups of homeless. There is also lack of information regarding utilisation other important healthcare services such as mental health services, alcohol and drugs services, and accident and emergency service, and future researches should address that. Also, attention should be given to intervention models for complex and effective physical and psychiatric care as well as social support to address the homeless people's health vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedict Osei Asibey
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, New South Wales 2751 Australia
| | - Elizabeth Conroy
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, New South Wales 2751 Australia
| | - Brahmaputra Marjadi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, New South Wales 2751 Australia
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Boyce MR, Katz R, Standley CJ. Risk Factors for Infectious Diseases in Urban Environments of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal of Evidence. Trop Med Infect Dis 2019; 4:E123. [PMID: 31569517 PMCID: PMC6958454 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed4040123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Our world is rapidly urbanizing. According to the United Nations, between 1990 and 2015, the percent of the world's population living in urban areas grew from 43% to 54%. Estimates suggest that this trend will continue and that over 68% of the world's population will call cities home by 2050, with the majority of urbanization occurring in African countries. This urbanization is already having a profound effect on global health and could significantly impact the epidemiology of infectious diseases. A better understanding of infectious disease risk factors specific to urban settings is needed to plan for and mitigate against future urban outbreaks. We conducted a systematic literature review of the Web of Science and PubMed databases to assess the risk factors for infectious diseases in the urban environments of sub-Saharan Africa. A search combining keywords associated with cities, migration, African countries, infectious disease, and risk were used to identify relevant studies. Original research and meta-analyses published between 2004 and 2019 investigating geographical and behavioral risk factors, changing disease distributions, or control programs were included in the study. The search yielded 3610 papers, and 106 met the criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Papers were categorized according to risk factors, geographic area, and study type. The papers covered 31 countries in sub-Saharan Africa with East Africa being the most represented sub-region. Malaria and HIV were the most frequent disease focuses of the studies. The results of this work can inform public health policy as it relates to capacity building and health systems strengthening in rapidly urbanizing areas, as well as highlight knowledge gaps that warrant additional research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Boyce
- Center for Global Health Science & Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| | - Rebecca Katz
- Center for Global Health Science & Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
| | - Claire J Standley
- Center for Global Health Science & Security, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA.
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Mendenhall E, Kohrt BA, Norris SA, Ndetei D, Prabhakaran D. Non-communicable disease syndemics: poverty, depression, and diabetes among low-income populations. Lancet 2017; 389:951-963. [PMID: 28271846 PMCID: PMC5491333 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(17)30402-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 264] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The co-occurrence of health burdens in transitioning populations, particularly in specific socioeconomic and cultural contexts, calls for conceptual frameworks to improve understanding of risk factors, so as to better design and implement prevention and intervention programmes to address comorbidities. The concept of a syndemic, developed by medical anthropologists, provides such a framework for preventing and treating comorbidities. The term syndemic refers to synergistic health problems that affect the health of a population within the context of persistent social and economic inequalities. Until now, syndemic theory has been applied to comorbid health problems in poor immigrant communities in high-income countries with limited translation, and in low-income or middle-income countries. In this Series paper, we examine the application of syndemic theory to comorbidities and multimorbidities in low-income and middle-income countries. We employ diabetes as an exemplar and discuss its comorbidity with HIV in Kenya, tuberculosis in India, and depression in South Africa. Using a model of syndemics that addresses transactional pathophysiology, socioeconomic conditions, health system structures, and cultural context, we illustrate the different syndemics across these countries and the potential benefit of syndemic care to patients. We conclude with recommendations for research and systems of care to address syndemics in low-income and middle-income country settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Mendenhall
- School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Brandon A Kohrt
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Shane A Norris
- MRC Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - David Ndetei
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya; Africa Mental Health Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Dorairaj Prabhakaran
- Public Health Foundation of India, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, New Delhi, India; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Wamoyi J, Stobeanau K, Bobrova N, Abramsky T, Watts C. Transactional sex and risk for HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2016; 19:20992. [PMID: 27809960 PMCID: PMC5095351 DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.1.20992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young women aged 15 to 24 years in sub-Saharan Africa continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. A growing number of studies have suggested that the practice of transactional sex may in part explain women's heightened risk, but evidence on the association between transactional sex and HIV has not yet been synthesized. We set out to systematically review studies that assess the relationship between transactional sex and HIV among men and women in sub-Saharan Africa and to summarize the findings through a meta-analysis. METHODS The search strategy included 8 databases, hand searches in 10 journals, and searches across 17 websites and portals for organizations as informed by expert colleagues. A systematic review of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies was carried out for studies on women and men who engage in transactional sex published up through 2014. Random effects meta-analysis was used to further examine the relationship between transactional sex and prevalent HIV infection across a subset of studies with the same exposure period. Analyses were conducted separately for men and women. RESULTS Nineteen papers from 16 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these 16 studies, 14 provided data on women and 10 on men. We find a significant, positive, unadjusted or adjusted association between transactional sex and HIV in 10 of 14 studies for women, one of which used a longitudinal design (relative risk (RR)=2.06, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22 -3.48). Out of 10 studies involving men, only 2 indicate a positive association between HIV and transactional sex in unadjusted or adjusted models. The meta-analysis confirmed general findings from the systematic review (unadjusted meta-analysis findings are significant for women (n=4; pooled odds ratio (OR)=1.54, 95% CI: 1.04-2.28; I2=42.5%, p=0.156), but not for men (n=4; pooled OR=1.47, 95% CI: 0.85-2.56; I2=50.8%, p=0.107). CONCLUSIONS Transactional sex is associated with HIV among women, whereas findings for men were inconclusive. Given that only two studies used a longitudinal approach, there remains a need for better measurement of the practice of transactional sex and additional longitudinal studies to establish the causal pathways between transactional sex and HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Wamoyi
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health, National Institute for Medical Research, , Mwanza, Tanzania;
| | - Kirsten Stobeanau
- Department of Sociology, American University Institution, Washington, DC, USA
- International Centre of Research on Women, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Natalia Bobrova
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Tanya Abramsky
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Charlotte Watts
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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