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O'Reilly KR, Yeh PT, Kennedy CE, Fonner VA, Sweat MD. Family Planning Counseling for Women Living with HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of the Impact on Contraceptive Uptake, Intention to Use Contraception and Pregnancy Incidence, 2011 to 2022. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2477-2491. [PMID: 38662281 PMCID: PMC11286672 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04319-w] [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: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Women's ability to control their fertility and have the number of children they want when they want them is an internationally recognized human right. This right has been the driving force behind family planning programs in low- and middle-income countries for more than five decades. The HIV epidemic added greater urgency to those efforts once the risk of vertical transmission of the virus from mothers to their infants was recognized. In 2013, we published a systematic review of the evidence of effectiveness of family planning counseling for women living with HIV, emphasizing HIV related behaviors. In this updated review, we examined 23 studies, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa. The evidence we uncovered reflected efforts to integrate services provided to women. These showed that providing contraceptive services, including intensified counseling and support, in the HIV clinics where women living with HIV received their care increased the likelihood of subsequent use of modern contraception by as much as fourfold. These studies reflected a greater focus on women's family planning decisions and behaviors and less focus on HIV-related behaviors. Among the possible causes of this noted difference we include the widespread coverage of antiretroviral treatment for HIV. This advance has apparently changed the rationale and the approach to integrating family planning and HIV services in ways that may not have been fully appreciated. The results, however, are beneficial: greater coverage of family planning for women who wish to control their fertility and a more equal partnership between family planning services and HIV services in pursuit of the mutual goal of providing integrated services to meet women's needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin R O'Reilly
- Division of Global and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
- Division of Global and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, 176 Croghan Spur Rd, Suite 104, Charleston, SC, 29407, USA.
| | - Ping Teresa Yeh
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Caitlin E Kennedy
- Department of International Health, Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Virginia A Fonner
- FHI 360, Global Health and Population Research, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Michael D Sweat
- Division of Global and Community Health, Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Knop MR, Nagashima-Hayashi M, Lin R, Saing CH, Ung M, Oy S, Yam ELY, Zahari M, Yi S. Impact of mHealth interventions on maternal, newborn, and child health from conception to 24 months postpartum in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMC Med 2024; 22:196. [PMID: 38750486 PMCID: PMC11095039 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03417-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been harnessed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to address the intricate challenges confronting maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). This review aspires to scrutinize the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on MNCH outcomes during the pivotal first 1000 days of life, encompassing the period from conception through pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery, up to the age of 2 years. METHODS A comprehensive search was systematically conducted in May 2022 across databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Trip Pro, to unearth peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted of (i) mHealth interventions directed at MNCH; (ii) study designs, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), RCT variations, quasi-experimental designs, controlled before-and-after studies, or interrupted time series studies); (iii) reports of outcomes pertinent to the first 1000 days concept; and (iv) inclusion of participants from LMICs. Each study was screened for quality in alignment with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Joanne Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. The included articles were then analyzed and categorized into 12 mHealth functions and outcome domain categories (antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care), followed by forest plot comparisons of effect measures. RESULTS From the initial pool of 7119 articles, we included 131 in this review, comprising 56 RCTs, 38 cluster-RCTs, and 37 quasi-experimental studies. Notably, 62% of these articles exhibited a moderate or high risk of bias. Promisingly, mHealth strategies, such as dispatching text message reminders to women and equipping healthcare providers with digital planning and scheduling tools, exhibited the capacity to augment antenatal clinic attendance and enhance the punctuality of child immunization. However, findings regarding facility-based delivery, child immunization attendance, and infant feeding practices were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that mHealth interventions can improve antenatal care attendance and child immunization timeliness in LMICs. However, their impact on facility-based delivery and infant feeding practices varies. Nevertheless, the potential of mHealth to enhance MNCH services in resource-limited settings is promising. More context-specific implementation studies with rigorous evaluations are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Ravn Knop
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michiko Nagashima-Hayashi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruixi Lin
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chan Hang Saing
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mengieng Ung
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sreymom Oy
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Esabelle Lo Yan Yam
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marina Zahari
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siyan Yi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Public Health Program, College of Education and Health Sciences, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, USA.
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Sack DE, Peetluk LS, Audet CM. Couples-based interventions and postpartum contraceptive uptake: A systematic review. Contraception 2022; 112:23-36. [PMID: 35577147 PMCID: PMC9968552 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2022.05.001] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systematically review the existing evidence about couples-based interventions and postpartum contraceptive uptake and generate recommendations for future research. DATA SOURCES PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINAHL through June 7, 2021. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Studies with a couples-based intervention assessing postpartum contraceptive uptake. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias with RoB-2 (Cochrane Risk of Bias 2) for randomized and ROBINS-I (Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies - Interventions) for observational studies. Data were synthesized in tables, figures, and a narrative review. RESULTS A total of 925 papers were identified, 66 underwent full text review, and 17 articles, which included 18 studies - 16 randomized, 2 observational - were included. The lack of intervention and outcome homogeneity precluded meta-analysis and isolating the effect of partner involvement. Four studies were partner-required, where partner involvement was a required component of the intervention, and 14 were partner-optional. Unadjusted risk differences ranged from 0.01 to 0.51 in favor of couples-based interventions increasing postpartum contraceptive uptake versus standard of care. Bias assessment of the 16 randomized studies classified 8, 3, and 5 studies as at a high, some concern, and low risk of bias. Common sources of bias included intervention non-adherence and missing outcome data. One observational study was at a high and the other at a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS Future studies that assess couples-based interventions must clearly define and measure how partners are involved in the intervention and assess how intervention adherence impacts postpartum contraceptive uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel E Sack
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.
| | - Lauren S Peetluk
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Carolyn M Audet
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States; Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Atukunda EC, Matthews LT, Musiimenta A, Agaba A, Najjuma JN, Lukyamuzi EJ, Kaida A, Obua C, Mugyenyi GR. Understanding the Effect of a Healthcare Provider-Led Family Planning Support Intervention on Contraception use and Pregnancy Desires among Postpartum Women Living with HIV in Southwestern Uganda. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:266-276. [PMID: 34292430 PMCID: PMC8782928 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03380-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Modern contraceptive prevalence among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Uganda is still low at 45%, and up to a third of women are likely to discontinue the method within the first year of initiation. This increases risks of unplanned pregnancies, perinatal HIV transmission and pregnancy complications. We aim to explore and explain the mechanism of effect of a family planning support intervention investigated in a randomized controlled trial conducted between October 2016 and June 2018 among 320 postpartum WLWH at a referral hospital in Southwestern Uganda that led to improved uptake, decreased contraception discontinuation and lowered pregnancy rates. Thirty WLWH and 10 of their primary sexual partners who participated in this trial were purposively selected and interviewed in the local language; interviews were digitally recorded. Translated transcripts were generated and coded. Coded data were iteratively reviewed and sorted to derive descriptive categories using an inductive content analytic approach. Up to 83% of women wanted to avoid pregnancy within the first year postpartum. Qualitative data showed that contraception uptake and use were influenced by: 1) Participant awareness and understanding of different methods available; 2) Participant perception of offered health services; 3) Healthcare provider (HCP) socio-cultural sensitivity to individual experiences and (mis)conceptions surrounding contraception; 4) Having tactile engagement, follow-up reminders and a reference to prompt action or discussions with partners. Supportive and culturally sensitive HCPs and systems facilitated information sharing leading to increased patient awareness and understanding of the contraceptive methods, and improved health user experience, care engagement, confidence and willingness to take up and continue using modern contraceptive methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lynn T Matthews
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Center for Global Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, M, USA
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Amon Agaba
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | | | | | - Angela Kaida
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Celestino Obua
- Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Wakida EK, Atuhaire CD, Karungi CK, Maling S, Obua C. Mbarara University Research Training Initiative: Experiences and Accomplishments of the MEPI Junior D43 TW010128 Award in Uganda. ADVANCES IN MEDICAL EDUCATION AND PRACTICE 2021; 12:1397-1410. [PMID: 34887692 PMCID: PMC8650769 DOI: 10.2147/amep.s339752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In 2015, Mbarara University of Science and Technology was awarded the Mbarara University Research Training Initiative (MURTI) under grant number D43 TW010128 to build capacity of junior faculty to become the next generation of researchers in Africa. In this paper, we document the experiences and achievements of the research capacity building efforts at MUST. METHODS We conducted a descriptive evaluation study which involved document review and in-depth interviews. We used "Reach" and 'Effectiveness' from the RE-AIM framework to guide the document review, and the organizational theory of implementation effectiveness to guide the in-depth interviews. RESULTS In the MURTI program, we conducted 17 short courses between August 2015 and July 2021, a total of 6597 attendances were recorded. The most attended courses were responsible conduct of research (n = 826), qualitative research methods (n = 744), and data management (n = 613). Thirty-three fellows were recruited and funded to conduct mentored research leading to 48 publications and 14 extramural grant applications were yielded. From the in-depth interviews, the participants appreciated the research training program, the enhanced research skills attained, and the institutional capacity built. They attributed the success of the program to the training approach of using short courses, readiness of the junior faculty to change, and the supportive environment by the mentors and trainers in the program. CONCLUSION The D43 TW010128 research training grant-built capacity for the junior faculty at MUST, enhanced their research skills, promoted research capacity institutionally and provided career development for the junior faculty. This was possible due to the positive attitude of the junior faculty (organizational readiness) to change and the supportive environment (mentors and trainers) during implementation of the grant. These two factors provided a favorable institutional climate that guaranteed success of the funding goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith K Wakida
- Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clara D Atuhaire
- Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Christine K Karungi
- Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Samuel Maling
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Celestino Obua
- Office of the Vice Chancellor, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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