Loss to follow-up among children and adolescents growing up with HIV infection: age really matters

High mortality in adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV in Thailand during the transition to adulthood

Transitioning from pediatric to adult care remains a challenge for adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV (AYA-PHIV). We assessed treatment outcomes and mortality among Thai AYA-PHIV. The study included AYA-PHIV who reached age 18-24 years who started antiretroviral treatment during childhood at five pediatric HIV clinics across Thailand. From November 2020-July 2021, data were gathered from a cohort database, medical records, and the Thai National AIDS Program. Of 811 eligible AYA-PHIV, 93% were alive; median age 22.3 years (IQR 20.6-23.7), treatment duration 16.1 years (IQR 13.4-18.0). Current HIV care was provided in adults (71%) and pediatric clinics (29%). Treatment regimens included non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (55%), protease inhibitors (36%), and integrase inhibitors (8%); 78% had HIV RNA <200 copies/ml. Of the 7.0% who died, median age at death was 20.8 years (IQR 20.6-22.1); 88% were AIDS-related death. Mortality after age 18 was 1.76 per 100-person years (95% confidence interval 1.36-2.28). Those with CD4 <200 cell/mm3 at age 15 had higher risk of mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 6.16, 95% CI 2.37-16.02). In conclusion, the high mortality among Thai AYA-PHIV indicated the need for better systems to support AYA-PHIV during the transition to adulthood.

Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Reveals High Rates of Suicidality in 602 Patients With Cleft and Craniofacial Conditions

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about rates of suicidal ideation and behavior among youth with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) and other craniofacial conditions.

METHODS

Records of patients ages 6 and older who were administered the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) Lifetime Version during routine multidisciplinary cleft or craniofacial team visits between 2019 and 2023 were examined. Demographics information, C-SSRS data, and diagnoses were assessed with statistics including t tests, the Fisher exact test, and odds ratios.

RESULTS

A total of 1140 C-SSRS questionnaires across 602 (433 CLP and 169 craniofacial) patients with an average age of 11.2±3.7 years were included. Eighty-four (13.6%) patients endorsed lifetime suicidal ideation, 9 (1.5%) had at least one instance of suicidal behavior, 30 (5.0%) endorsed nonsuicidal self-injury, and 2 (0.3%) engaged in self-injurious behavior. Compared with CLP, those with other craniofacial conditions had similar odds of endorsing suicidal ideation and behavior ( P ≥0.05). Compared with those with isolated cleft palates, CLP had greater odds of endorsing suicidal ideation and behavior, though those differences were not significant ( P ≥0.05). Incidence of suicidality was unchanged before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic ( P ≥0.05). Dividing patients by sex or insurance type revealed no difference in suicidality ( P ≥0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with CLP and craniofacial conditions have a high incidence of suicidal ideation and behavior, though levels are similar between these groups. Suicidality in these patients was not negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Early identification of safety risks and psychosocial challenges through regular screening can facilitate connection with appropriate clinical interventions.

Re-engagement and retention in HIV care after preventive default tracking in a cohort of HIV-infected patients in rural Malawi: A mixed-methods study

Loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) in the era of test-and-treat remains a universal challenge, especially in rural areas. To mitigate LTFU, the HIV program in Neno District, Malawi, utilizes a preventive default tracking strategy named Tracking for Retention and Client Enrollment (TRACE). We utilized a mixed-methods descriptive study of the TRACE program on patient's re-engagement and retention in care (RiC). In the quantitative arm, we utilized secondary data of HIV-infected patients in the TRACE program from January 2018 to June 2019 and analyzed patients' outcomes at 6-, 12-, and 24-months post-tracking. In the qualitative arm, we analyzed primary data from 25 semi-structured interviews. For the study period, 1028 patients were eligible with median age was 30 years, and 52% were women. We found that after tracking, 982 (96%) of patients with a 6-week missed appointment returned to care. After returning to care, 906 (88%), 864 (84%), and 839 (82%) were retained in care respectively at 6-,12-, and 24-months. In the multivariate analysis, which included all the covariates from the univariate analysis (including gender, BMI, age, and the timing of ART initiation), the results showed that RiC at 6 months was linked to WHO stage IV at the start of treatment (with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.06-0.54) and commencing ART after the test-and-treat recommendation (aOR of 0.08; 95% CI: 0.06-0.18). RiC after 12 months was associated with age between 15 and 29 years (aOR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.03-0.88), WHO stage IV (aOR = 0.12; 95%CI: 0.04-0.16) and initiating ART after test-and-treat recommendations (aOR = 0.08; 95%CI: 0.04-0.16). RiC at 24 months post-tracking was associated with being male (aOR = 0.61; 95%CI: 0.40-0.92) and initiating ART after test-and-treat recommendations (aOR = 0.16; 95%CI:0.10-0.25). The qualitative analysis revealed that clarity of the visit's purpose, TRACE's caring approach changed patient's mindset, enhanced sense of responsibility and motivated patients to resume care. We recommend integrating tracking programs in HIV care as it led to increase patient follow up and patient behavior change.

Transmitted Drug Resistance and HIV Diversity Among Adolescents Newly Diagnosed With HIV in Spain

BACKGROUND

Virologic characterization of newly HIV-diagnosed adolescents could help to improve their specific needs. The objective was to describe the transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDR) and its transmission by clusters in this population in Spain.

METHODS

TDR to retrotranscriptase and protease inhibitors included in the WHO TDR list 2009 implemented in the Calibrated Population Resistance tool v8.0 (Stanford) were studied in HIV pol sequences from all HIV-diagnosed adolescents (12-19-year-old) enrolled during 2004-2019 period in the Spanish pediatric and adult (CoRISpe-CoRIS) cohorts. The found TDR were compared with the provided by the Stanford algorithm v9.0 2021. HIV-1 variants and transmission clusters were also studied.

RESULTS

Among 410 HIV-1 adolescents diagnosed, 141 (34.4%) had available ART-naive sequences. They were mostly male (81.6%), Spanish (55.3%) and with behavioral risk (92.2%), mainly male-to-male sexual contact (63.1%). TDR prevalence was significantly higher by Stanford versus WHO list (18.4% vs. 7.1%; P = 0.004). The most prevalent TDR by the WHO list was K103N (3.6%) and by Stanford E138A (6.6%), both at retrotranscriptase. E138A, related to rilpivirine/etravirine resistance, was absent in the WHO list. One in 4 adolescents carried HIV-1 non-B variants. We described 5 transmission clusters, and 2 carried TDR mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest a high TDR prevalence in adolescents with a new HIV diagnosis in Spain, similar to adults, 2 active TDR transmission clusters, and the need for the WHO TDR list update. These findings could have implications for the options of the recently available rilpivirine-related long-acting treatment and in first-line regimen election.

Facilitated WhatsApp Support Groups for Youth Living With HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: Single-Arm Pilot Intervention Study

BACKGROUND

Mobile technology can support HIV care, but studies in youth are limited. In 2014, youth receiving HIV care at several health care facilities in Nairobi, Kenya spontaneously formed peer support groups using the social media platform WhatsApp.

OBJECTIVE

Inspired by youth-initiated groups, we aimed to evaluate the use of WhatsApp to deliver a social support intervention to improve HIV treatment and psychosocial outcomes in youth. We developed a facilitated WhatsApp group intervention (named Vijana-SMART), which was grounded in social support theory and guided by the design recommendations of youth living with HIV. This paper evaluates the intervention's acceptability and pre-post changes in health outcomes.

METHODS

The intervention involved interactive WhatsApp groups facilitated by study staff for 6 months, with each group having approximately 25 members. Study staff sent weekly structured messages, and the message content was based on social support theory and encouraged unstructured peer-to-peer messaging and support. We conducted a single-arm pilot among 55 youth living with HIV aged 14-24 years recruited from a government health care facility serving a mixed-income area of Nairobi. At enrollment and follow-up, self-report questionnaires assessed acceptability; antiretroviral therapy (ART) information, motivation, and behavioral skills (IMB); depression; social support; stigma; resilience; and ART adherence. All participants received the intervention. We used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) clustered by participant to evaluate changes in scores from baseline to follow-up, and correlates of participant WhatsApp messaging.

RESULTS

The median participant age was 18 years, and 67% (37/55) were female. Intervention acceptability was high. All participants reported that it was helpful, and 73% (38/52) sent ≥1 WhatsApp message. Messaging levels varied considerably between participants and were higher during school holidays, earlier in the intervention period, and among youth aged ≥18 years. IMB scores increased from enrollment to follow-up (66.9% to 71.3%; P<.001). Stigma scores also increased (8.3% to 16.7%; P=.001), and resilience scores decreased (75.0% to 70.0%; P<.001). We found no significant change in ART adherence, social support, or depression. We detected a positive association between the level of messaging during the study and the resilience score, but no significant association between messaging and other outcomes. Once enrolled, it was common for participants to change their phone numbers or leave the groups and request to be added back, which may present implementation challenges at a larger scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased IMB scores following WhatsApp group participation may improve HIV outcomes. Increased stigma and decreased resilience were unintended consequences and may reflect transient effects of group sharing of challenging experiences, which should be addressed in larger randomized evaluations. WhatsApp groups present a promising and acceptable modality to deliver supportive interventions to youth living with HIV beyond the clinic, and further evaluation is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05634265); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05634265.

A Systematic Review of Peer Support Interventions for Adolescents Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa

Despite widespread availability of life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS remains one of the leading causes of death among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this article was to review the state of the science regarding interventions to improve ART adherence and/or HIV care retention among ALHIV throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The primary aim of this review was to describe the impact of peer support interventions in improving treatment outcomes (i.e., ART adherence and retention in HIV care) among ALHIV in sub-Saharan Africa. The secondary aim of this review was to determine whether these interventions may be efficacious at improving mental health outcomes. We identified 27 articles that met the eligibility criteria for our review, and categorized each article based on the type of peer support provided to ALHIV-individualized peer support, group-based support, and individualized plus group-based support. Results regarding the efficacy of these interventions are mixed and most of the studies included were deemed moderate in methodological quality. Although studies evaluating group-based peer support interventions were the most common, most of these studies were not associated with retention, adherence, or mental health outcomes. More robust, fully powered studies are needed to strengthen our knowledge base regarding peer support for ALHIV.

'They should show them love even if their status of being HIV positive is known': Youth and caregiver stigma experience and strategies to end HIV stigma in schools

OBJECTIVE

HIV stigma and discrimination is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Schools play a critical role in the life of youth and have been identified as a potentially stigmatising environment. We sought to explore school HIV stigma drivers, facilitators, manifestations and outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLH) as well as potential stigma reduction interventions in Kenya.

METHODS

Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews with 28 school-attending YLH aged 14-19 years and 24 caregivers of YLH were analysed using directed content analysis. Results were summarised using the Health and Stigma Framework.

RESULTS

Drivers and facilitators of HIV stigma in the school environment included misconceptions about HIV transmission, HIV treatment outcomes and long-term overall health of people living with HIV. HIV stigma manifested largely as gossip, isolation and loss of friendships. Fear of HIV stigma or experienced stigma resulted in poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment-particularly among YLH in boarding schools-and poor mental health. Stigma also impacted school choice (boarding vs. day school) and prevented HIV disclosure to schools which was necessary for optimal support for care. Proposed interventions to address HIV stigma in schools included HIV education, psychosocial support for YLH, support for HIV disclosure to schools while ensuring confidentiality and building YLH resilience.

CONCLUSION

There is an urgent need to develop interventions to address HIV stigma in schools to ensure optimised health and social outcomes for YLH. Future studies to understand the most effective and efficient interventions are needed.

Mode of HIV acquisition among adolescents living with HIV in resource-limited settings: A data-driven approach from South Africa

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face unique treatment and care challenges which may differ by how they acquired HIV, whether vertically (in-utero, perinatal or postnatal exposure during breastfeeding) or sexually (sexual exposure). Distinguishing and documenting the mode of HIV acquisition (MOHA) is crucial to further research on the different needs and outcomes for ALHIV and to tailor HIV services to their needs. Age-based cut-offs have been used to attribute MOHA but have not been validated. We analysed data from a three-wave cohort of n = 1107 ALHIV part of a longitudinal study in South Africa. Age-based MOHA was allocated using age at ART initiation, validated against a logic-tree model based on literature-hypothesised factors: self-reported HIV, sexual, and family history. After testing six ART initiation age cut-offs (10 to 15 years old), we determined the optimal MOHA cut-off age by calculating the sensitivity and specificity for each cut-off, measured against the final logic-tree allocation. Following validation using this longitudinal study, the methodology is extended to 214 additional third-wave participants-adolescent girls and young women living with HIV who became mothers before the age of 20. Finally, descriptive statistics of the final allocations are presented. Among the 1,063 (96.0%) cohort study participants classified, 68.7% acquired HIV vertically, following validation. ART initiation before cut-off age 10 had the highest sensitivity (58.9%) but cut-off age 12 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (0.712). Among the additional young mothers living with HIV, 95.3% were estimated to have acquired it sexually, following the same algorithm. For this group, while cut-off ages 10 to 12 had the highest sensitivity (92.2%), age 14 had the highest AUC (0.703). ART initiation before 10 years old is strongly associated with vertical HIV acquisition. Therefore, a cut-off age of 10 would remain the recommendation in LMIC regions with similar epidemiology as South Africa for determining MOHA in research and clinic settings.

Examining the Relationship Between Psychosocial Factors with Knowledge of HIV-Positive Status and Antiretroviral Therapy Exposure Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Living with HIV in South Africa

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living with HIV have poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes. We examined the relationship between psychosocial factors with knowledge of HIV-positive status and antiretroviral therapy exposure among AGYW living with HIV in South Africa. Participants 15-24 years responded to a survey including socio-demographics, psychosocial factors, and HIV testing. Blood was collected to determine HIV status and ART exposure. Multivariable analyses were conducted using R. Of 568 participants with HIV, 356 had knowledge of their HIV-positive status. Social support from family [aOR 1.14 (95% CI 1.04-1.24)] or from a special person [aOR 1.12 (95% CI 1.02-1.23)] was associated with knowledge of HIV-positive status. Resilience [aOR 1.05 (95% CI 1.01-1.08)] was the only psychosocial factor associated with a higher odds of ART exposure. Social support and resilience may increase knowledge of HIV-positive status and ART exposure among South African AGYW.

Predicting the loss to follow-up (LTFU) of HIV/AIDS patients in China using a recency-frequency (RF) model

BACKGROUND

We constructed a recency-frequency (RF) model for predicting the loss to follow-up (LTFU) in HIV/AIDS patients in China.

METHODS

Data on HIV/AIDS outpatients in the research unit from 1 August 2009 to 30 September 2020 and from 1 October to 31 December 2020 were exported as the observation and prediction datasets, respectively. The classic recency-frequency-monetary (RFM) model was expanded into RFm, RF, RFL and RFmL models. In the observation dataset, the best predictive model was obtained using k-means clustering and C5.0 verification. Then, two rounds of k-means modelling were performed on the best model: data with R ≤ 6 months were retained, randomly divided into a training set (70%) and a testing set (30%) and used to perform the second round of modelling to subdivide the churn and non-churn patients. Next, an ANN algorithm was used to predict LTFU, and the confusion matrix with prediction datasets was constructed.

RESULTS

The observation and prediction datasets included 16 949 and 10 748 samples, respectively. The RF model with three clusters and a quality of 0.82 was the best predictive model. From the observation set, 13 799 samples were retained, and the model accuracy was 100% on the training and testing sets. These 13 799 samples were subdivided into 1563 samples of churn patients and 12 216 samples of non-churn patients. The accuracy of ANN prediction was 99.89%. The accuracy and precision of the confusion matrix were 85.41% and 99.76%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The RF model is effective in predicting the LTFU of HIV/AIDS patients in China and preventing its occurrence.

High Unreported Mortality in Children and Youth (<25 Years) Living With HIV Who Were Lost to Care From Antiretroviral Therapy Programs in Southern Africa: Results From a Multicountry Tracing Study

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy program mortality maybe underestimated if deceased patients are misclassified as lost.

METHODS

We used two-stage inverse probability weighting to account for probability of being: sampled for tracing and found by the tracer.

RESULTS

Among 680 children and youth aged <25 years on antiretroviral therapy who were lost and traced in Southern Africa between October 2017 and November 2019, estimated mortality was high at 9.1% (62/680). After adjusting for measured covariates and within-site clustering, mortality remained lower for young adults aged 20-24 years compared with infants aged <2 years [adjusted hazard ratio: 0.40 (95% confidence interval: 0.31 to 0.51)].

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms high unreported mortality in children and youth who are lost and the need for tracing to assess vital status among those who are lost to accurately report on program mortality.

Experiences of South African caregivers disclosing to their children living with HIV: Qualitative investigations

Awareness of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) status improves health outcomes in children living with HIV, yet caregivers often delay disclosure. This qualitative investigation explored, through observation, how 30 caregivers responded to a HIV Disclosure study conducted between 2017 and 2020 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa. Caregivers were assisted in disclosing to their children, aged 7-13 years; followed by a sub-sample of caregivers providing in-depth interviews to elaborate on findings.1) Barriers to disclosure included: caregivers being ill equipped, the fear of negative consequences and children considered lacking emotional or cognitive readiness. 2) Deflecting diagnosis from their children and the need for medication, motivated caregivers to disclosure. 3) Apprehension was evident during disclosure; however, overall disclosure was a positive experience with the support of the healthcare providers. These results highlight the significant role healthcare providers' play in supporting caregivers through the disclosure process.

Process evaluation of an intervention to improve HIV treatment outcomes among children and adolescents

SETTING

Children and adolescents with HIV encounter challenges in initiation and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A community-based support intervention of structured home visits, aimed at improving initiation, adherence and treatment, was delivered by community health workers (CHWs) to children and adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV.

OBJECTIVES

To 1) describe intervention delivery, 2) explore CHW, caregiver and adolescents' perceptions of the intervention, 3) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, and 4) ascertain treatment outcomes at 12 months' post-HIV diagnosis.

DESIGN

We drew upon: 1) semi-structured interviews (n = 22) with 5 adolescents, 11 caregivers and 6 CHWs, 2) 28 CHW field manuals, and 3) quantitative data for study participants (demographic information and HIV clinical outcomes).

RESULTS

Forty-one children received at least a part of the intervention. Of those whose viral load was tested, 26 (n = 32, 81.3%) were virally suppressed. Interviewees felt that the intervention supported ART adherence and strengthened mental health. Facilitators to intervention delivery were convenience and rapport between CHWs and families. Stigma, challenges in locating participants and inadequate resources for CHWs were barriers.

CONCLUSION

This intervention was helpful in supporting HIV treatment adherence among adolescents and children. Facilitators and barriers may be useful in developing future interventions.

The proportion of loss to follow-up from antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its association with age among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a global health threat, especially in developing countries. The successful scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs to address this threat is hindered by a high proportion of patient loss to follow-up (LTFU). LTFU is associated with poor viral suppression and increased mortality. It is particularly acute among adolescents, who face unique adherence challenges. Although LTFU is a critical obstacle on the continuum of care for adolescents, few regional-level studies report the proportion of LTFU among adolescents receiving ART. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the pooled LTFU in ART programs among adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

METHODS

We searched five databases (PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus) for articles published between 2005 and 2020 and reference lists of included articles. The PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews were followed. A standardised checklist to extract data was used. Descriptive summaries were presented using narrative tables and figures. Heterogeneity within the included studies was examined using the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test. Random effect models were used to estimate the pooled prevalence of LTFU among ALHIV. We used Stata version 16 statistical software for our analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine eligible studies (n = 285,564) were included. An estimated 15.07% (95% CI: 11.07, 19.07) of ALHIV were LTFU. Older adolescents (15-19 years old) were 43% (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.37, 0.87) more likely to be LTFU than younger (10-14 years old) adolescents. We find an insignificant relationship between gender and LTFU (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.87, 1.03). A subgroup analysis found that regional differences in the proportion of adolescent LTFU were not statistically significant. The trend analysis indicates an increasing proportion of adolescent LTFU over time.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The proportion of LTFU among HIV-positive adolescents in SSA seems higher than those reported in other regions. Older adolescents in the region are at an increased risk for LTFU than younger adolescents. These findings may help policymakers develop appropriate strategies to retain ALHIV in ART services. Such strategies could include community ART distribution points, appointment spacing, adherence clubs, continuous free access to ART, and community-based adherence support.

Adherence challenges and opportunities for optimizing care through enhanced adherence counseling for adolescents with suspected HIV treatment failure in Kenya

Background

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience higher mortality and are more likely to have poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and unsuppressed viral load (VL) compared to adults. Enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) is a client-centered counseling strategy that aims to identify and address barriers to optimal ART use and can be tailored to the unique needs of adolescents. This study aimed to better understand adherence barriers among ALHIV with suspected treatment failure and their experience with EAC to inform future programming.

Methods

A qualitative study was conducted in Homa Bay and Turkana counties, Kenya in 2019 with adolescents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with HIV with suspected treatment failure after ≥6 months on ART and who had received ≥1 EAC sessions. Sixteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted; five FGDs each were held with adolescents 12–14 years (n = 48) and 15–19 years (n = 36). Caregivers (n = 52) participated in six FGDs. Additionally, 17 healthcare workers providing pediatric/adolescent HIV services participated in in-depth interviews. Audio recordings were transcribed and translated from Kiswahili or Dholuo into English and coded using MAXQDA software. Data were thematically analyzed by participant group.

Results

Participants identified adolescents’ fear of being stigmatized due to their HIV status and their relationship with and level of support provided by caregivers. This underpinned and often undermined adolescents’ ART-taking behavior and progress towards more independent medication management. Adolescents were generally satisfied with EAC and perceived it to be important in improving adherence and reducing VL. However, problems were noted with facility-based, individual EAC counseling, including judgmental attitudes of providers and difficulties traveling to and keeping EAC clinic appointments. Participant-suggested improvements to EAC included peer support groups in addition to individual counseling, allowing for greater flexibility in the timing and location of sessions and greater caregiver involvement.

Conclusions

The findings provide opportunities to better tailor EAC interventions to promote improved ALHIV adherence and caregiver-supported disease management. Multi-prong EAC interventions that include peer-led and community approaches and target adolescent and caregiver treatment literacy may improve EAC delivery, address issues contributing to poor adherence, and position adolescents to achieve viral suppression.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04915469.

Factors Associated with Treatment Outcomes Among Children and Adolescents Living with HIV Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Central Kenya

Expanded access to HIV treatment services has improved outcomes for children and adolescents living with HIV in Kenya. Minimal data are available on these outcomes. We describe temporal trends in outcomes for children and adolescents initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2004 to 2014 at sites supported by Centre for Health Solutions—Kenya, in central Kenya. We retrospectively analyzed data from children 0–9 years of age (n = 3,519) and adolescents 10–19 years of age (n = 1,663) living with HIV, who newly initiated ART at 47 health facilities in central Kenya. Year cohorts were analyzed from the Comprehensive Patient Application Database (CPAD) and International Quality Care (IQCare) electronic medical databases, including temporal trends in outcomes and associated factors using multivariable competing risk regression analysis. There were more girls (2,453 [52.7%]) than boys, with most enrolled at World Health Organization (WHO) stage II (1,813 [37.7%]) or III disease (1,694 [35.1%]). Most of the children and adolescents (4,431 [96.4%]) did not have tuberculosis (TB) symptoms. Cumulative lost to follow-up (LTFU) incidence at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 5.0%, 9.9%, 22.9%, and 33.1%, respectively. Cumulative mortality incidence at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.2%, and 1.5%, respectively. The incidence of LTFU was higher among female children and adolescents, those initiated on tenofovir-based regimens, and those with presumptive TB symptoms. Mortality risk was higher among those with WHO stage III or IV disease, and children and adolescents on TB treatment or who had presumptive TB. Enrollment occurred at a young age and pediatric-friendly ART regimens were initiated at earlier WHO stages implying effective early infant diagnosis and treatment for all strategies, resulting in improved treatment outcomes. The higher retention rates in recent years as well as the lower retention after many years of follow-up underscore the importance of implementing longitudinal follow-up strategies targeting this population.

Virologic non-suppression and early loss to follow up among pregnant and non-pregnant adolescents aged 15-19 years initiating antiretroviral therapy in South Africa: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction

Older adolescents aged 15–19 years continue to have high rates of loss to follow up (LTFU), and high rates of virologic non‐suppression (VNS) compared to younger adolescents and adults. Adolescent females are at risk of pregnancy, which puts those living with HIV at a dual vulnerability. Our study assessed the factors associated with VNS and LTFU in older adolescents (including pregnant females) who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa.

Methods

We included adolescents aged 15–19 years initiating ART between 2004 and 2019, with ≥ one viral load (VL) measurement between 4 and 24.5 months, and ≥ 6 months follow‐up, from six South African cohorts of the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS‐Southern Africa (IeDEA‐SA). We defined VNS as VL ≥400 copies/ml and LTFU as not being in care for ≥180 days from ART start and not known as transferred out of the clinic or dead in the first 24 months on ART. We examined factors associated with VNS and LTFU using Fine&Gray competing risk models.

Results

We included a total of 2733 adolescents, 415 (15.2%) males, median (IQR) age at ART start of 18.6 (17.3, 19.4) years. Among females, 585/2318 (25.2%) were pregnant. Over the 24‐month follow‐up, 424 (15.5%) of all adolescents experienced VNS: range (11.1% pregnant females and 20.5% males). Over half of all adolescents were LTFU before any other event could occur. The hazard of VNS reduced with increasing age and CD4 count above 200 cells/μl at ART initiation among all adolescents having adjusted for all measured patient characteristics [adjusted sub‐distribution hazard ratio (aSHR) 19 vs. 15 years: 0.50 (95% CI: 0.36, 0.68), aSHR: >500 vs. ≤200 cells/μl: 0.22 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.31)]. The effect of CD4 count persisted in pregnant females. Increasing age and CD4 count >200 cells/μl were risk factors for LTFU among all adolescents.

Conclusions

Older adolescents had a high risk of LTFU shortly after ART start and a low risk of VNS, especially those initiating treatment during pregnancy. Interventions addressing adherence and retention should be incorporated into adolescent‐friendly services to prevent VNS and LTFU and endeavour to trace lost adolescents as soon as they are identified.

Hope is No Plan: Uncovering Actively Missing Transition-Aged Youth with Congenital Heart Disease

Studies describing gaps in care for youth with congenital heart disease (CHD), focus on those who have returned to care, but rarely those actively missing from care. Our objective was to determine barriers for young adults with CHD actively missing from cardiac care and to re-engage them in care. Retrospective single-center cohort study of cardiology clinic patients ages 15-21 years with CHD between 2012 and 2019 for patients actively missing from care (≥ 12 months beyond requested clinic follow-up). We conducted prospective interviews, offered clinic scheduling information, and recorded cardiac follow-up. Data analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariable, and multivariable logistic regression. Of 1053 CHD patients, 33% (n = 349) were actively missing. Of those missing, 58% were male and median age was 17 years (IQR 16-19). Forty-six percent were Non-Hispanic White, 33% Hispanic, and 9% Black. Moderately complex CHD was in 71%, and 62% had private insurance. Patients with simple CHD, older age at last encounter (18-21), and scheduled follow-up > 12 months from last encounter were more likely to be actively missing. Interviews were completed by 125 patients/parents (36%). Lack of cardiac care was reported in 52%, and common barriers included: insurance (33%), appointment scheduling (26%), and unknown ACHD center care (15%). Roughly half (55%) accepted appointment information, yet only 3% successfully returned. Many patients require assistance beyond CHD knowledge to maintain and re-engage in care. Future interventions should include scheduling assistance, focused insurance maintenance, understanding where to obtain ACHD care, and educating on need for lifelong care.

Clinical outcomes among adolescents living with HIV in Kenya following initiation on antiretroviral treatment

In Kenya, HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). Our study evaluated associations between demographic and healthcare factors and HIV treatment outcomes among ALHIV in care in Kenya. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the clinical outcomes of newly diagnosed ALHIV enrolled in HIV care during January 2017-June 2018 at 32 healthcare facilities in Homabay and Kakamega Counties. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patient clinical records and registers during the follow up study period January 2017-through May 2019. ALHIV were stratified by age (10-14 versus 15-19 years). Categorical variables were summarized using descriptive statistics; continuous variables were analyzed using mean values. The latest available treatment and virological outcomes for ALHIV were assessed. 330 ALHIV were included in the study (mean age 15.9 years; 81.8% female, 63.0% receiving HIV care at lower-level healthcare facilities). Most (93.2%) were initiated on ART within 14 days of diagnosis; 91.4% initiated EFV-based regimens. Of those on ART, only 44.6% were active on care at the end of the study period. Of those eligible for viral load testing, 83.9% were tested with 84.4% viral suppression rate. Retention in care was higher at higher-level facilities (67.5%) compared to lower-level facilities (28.6%). Factors associated with higher retention in care were school attendance (aRR = 1.453), receipt of disclosure support (aRR = 13.315), and receiving care at a high-level health facility (aRR = 0.751). Factors associated with viral suppression included older age (15-19 years) (aRR = 1.249) and pre-ART clinical WHO stage I/II (RR = .668). Viral suppression was higher among older ALHIV. Studies are needed to evaluate effective interventions to improve outcomes among ALHIV in Kenya.

Receipt of a combined economic and peer support intervention and clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth in rural Rwanda: A retrospective cohort

INTRODUCTION

To combat poor clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth, Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima (PIH/IMB) implemented Adolescent Support Groups (ASGs), which combined peer support and group-based economic incentives to promote treatment adherence, economic empowerment, and viral suppression. This study assesses the association between ASG membership and clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth living in rural Rwanda.

METHODS

We constructed a retrospective cohort using PIH/IMB's electronic medical record (EMR) system. ASG members were matched to control youth within strata defined by health facility, year of birth, and whether the patient had enrolled in HIV services as a pediatric patient, as a PMTCT mother, or through another route. Our 12-month outcomes of interest were a) death-free retention in care, b) death-free retention with active follow-up, c) ≥80% adherence to appointment keeping, and d) viral load suppression (<20 copies/ml). We used generalized linear mixed models to estimate odds ratios for the association between ASG participation and each outcome. To mitigate possible unmeasured confounding, we additionally included participant data from the previous year and conducted a difference-in-difference analysis for each outcome to assess whether ASG members experienced greater changes compared to control youth over a similar period.

RESULTS

Two-hundred sixty ASG members were identified in the EMR and matched to 209 control youth for analysis. After 12 months of follow-up, ASG members had similar outcomes to the control youth in terms of death-free retention (93% vs. 94%), death-free retention with active follow-up (79% vs. 78%), ≥80% adherence to appointment keeping (42% vs. 43%), and viral suppression (48% vs. 51%). We did not observe any significant associations between ASG participation and clinical outcomes in crude or adjusted models, nor did ASG members experience greater improvements than control youth in our difference-in-difference analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The ASG program did not improve retention, appointment adherence, or viral suppression among HIV positive youth in rural Rwanda. Challenges implementing the intervention as designed underscore the importance of incorporating implementation strategies and youth perspectives in program design. This population remains vulnerable to poor clinical outcomes, and additional research is needed to better serve youth living with HIV.

A Pilot Study of a Mobile Intervention to Support Mental Health and Adherence Among Adolescents Living with HIV in Western Kenya

Mobile technologies represent potentially novel and scalable intervention delivery platforms for adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a prospective, mixed methods pilot study to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the WhatsApp^® platform to deliver individual counseling services and facilitate peer support for ALWH in western Kenya. Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. After 6 months, participants described their experiences with the intervention. Treatment adherence, stigma, and mental and behavioral health were assessed prospectively. Participants reported overall positive experiences and indicated that the platform encouraged peer network development. They endorsed potential benefits for treatment adherence, stigma reduction, and mental and behavioral health. All participants supported intervention expansion. In western Kenya, WhatsApp^® was an acceptable and feasible platform for mobile counseling and peer support for ALWH.

Outcomes of HIV Positive Children and Adolescents Initiated on Antiretroviral Treatment in Nigeria (2007-2016)

Background: This manuscript aimed to examine treatment outcomes of HIV-positive children and adolescents. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of a sample of patients aged 0–19 years who initiated ART (October 2007–September 2016) in participating sites in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria. Results: Among 4006 patients alive at the end of the follow up period, 138 (3.4%) were LTFU. Adolescents had a significantly higher risk of being LTFU than children aged 3–5 years (HR 2.47 [95% CI 1.40-4.34]). Patients with advanced disease had a significantly higher risk of being LTFU (Stage IV HR, 3.66 [95% CI: 2.00-6.68]). On average, optimal ART refill adherence was met by 67.3% of patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that focusing on preventing and managing advanced disease and interventions supporting adolescents when transferring to adult care is warranted.

Children living with HIV: a narrative review of recent advances in pediatric HIV research and their implications for clinical practice

Despite the great strides that have been made in prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), children continue to acquire HIV. The reduction in transmission is variable, for example in Africa, great gains have been made in Eastern and Southern Africa, but critical gaps remain in West and Central Africa. These gaps are also observed in the treatment of children living with HIV. Although there is increased access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART), management of pediatric HIV infection continues to be a challenge to clinicians in low-income countries where the disease burden is disproportionately high. On the contrary, recent advances in ART drug types and formulations provide great hope. In this narrative review, we present key updates in HIV care and promising ART research among children and adolescents living with HIV. We particularly highlight the dolutegravir (DTG) research which informed the change of the World Health Organization (WHO) ART guidelines in this age group. Significant gaps remain around management of children presenting with advanced disease to minimize mortality and in the long-term care and treatment of adolescents living with HIV. Research to address these sensitive areas is crucial for the realization of global, regional, and national pediatric HIV targets.

Behavioral Theories and Motivational Features Underlying eHealth Interventions for Adolescent Antiretroviral Adherence: Systematic Review

Background

eHealth systems provide new opportunities for the delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence interventions for adolescents. They may be more effective if grounded in health behavior theories and behavior change techniques (BCTs). Prior reviews have examined the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of these eHealth systems. However, studies have not systematically explored the use of health behavior theories and BCTs in the design of these applications.

Objective

The purpose of this review was to explore whether health behavior theories and BCTs were considered to ground designs of eHealth systems supporting adolescents’ (10-24 years) ART adherence. More specifically, we examined which specific theories and BCTs were applied, and how these BCTs were implemented as design features. Additionally, we investigated the quality and effect of eHealth systems.

Methods

A systematic search was performed on IEEE Xplore, ACM, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from 2000 to 2020. Theory use and BCTs were coded using the Theory Coding Scheme and the Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1), respectively. Design features were identified using the lenses of motivational design for mobile health (mHealth). The number of BCTs and design features for each eHealth system and their prevalence across all systems were assessed.

Results

This review identified 16 eHealth systems aiming to support ART adherence among adolescents. System types include SMS text message reminders (n=6), phone call reminders (n=3), combined SMS text message and phone call reminders (n=1), electronic adherence monitoring devices (n=3), smartphone apps (n=1), smartphone serious games (n=1), gamified smartphone apps (n=1), leveraging existing social media (n=2), web-based applications (n=1), videoconferencing (n=1), and desktop applications (n=1). Nine were grounded in theory, of which 3 used theories extensively. The impact of adolescent developmental changes on ART adherence was not made explicit. A total of 42 different BCTs and 24 motivational design features were used across systems. Ten systems reported positive effects on 1 or more outcomes; however, of these ten systems, only 3 reported exclusively positive effects on all the outcomes they measured. As much as 6 out of 16 reported purely no effect in all the outcomes measured.

Conclusions

Basic applications (SMS text messaging and phone calls) were most frequent, although more advanced systems such as mobile apps and games are also emerging. This review indicated gaps in the use of theory and BCTs, and particularly the impact of developmental changes on ART adherence was not adequately considered. Together with adopting a developmental orientation, future eHealth systems should effectively leverage health theories and consider developing more advanced systems that open the door to using BCTs more comprehensively. Overall, the impact of eHealth systems on adolescent ART adherence and its mediators is promising, but conclusive evidence on effect still needs to be provided.

Modeling Adherence Interventions Among Youth with HIV in the United States: Clinical and Economic Projections

The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions is evaluating treatment adherence interventions (AI) to improve virologic suppression (VS) among youth with HIV (YWH). Using a microsimulation model, we compared two strategies: standard-of-care (SOC) and a hypothetical 12-month AI that increased cohort-level VS in YWH in care by an absolute ten percentage points and cost $100/month/person. Projected outcomes included primary HIV transmissions, deaths and life-expectancy, lifetime HIV-related costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs, $/quality-adjusted life-year [QALY]). Compared to SOC, AI would reduce HIV transmissions by 15% and deaths by 12% at 12 months. AI would improve discounted life expectancy/person by 8 months at an added lifetime cost/person of $5,300, resulting in an ICER of $7,900/QALY. AI would be cost-effective at $2,000/month/person or with efficacies as low as a 1 percentage point increase in VS. YWH-targeted adherence interventions with even modest efficacy could improve life expectancy, prevent onward HIV transmissions, and be cost-effective.

Incidence and Predictors of Loss to Follow-Up Among Children Attending ART Clinics in Northeast Ethiopia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

It is known that antiretroviral therapy reduces the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus and AIDS-related morbidity. The coverage of HIV drugs is increasing to control further spread of HIV and children living with HIV are the target groups in using these medications. However, loss to follow-up remains a critical challenge among these groups of the population. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up among children attending antiretroviral therapy clinics.

Methods

A ten-year institution-based retrospective cohort study was employed among 448 children enrolled in antiretroviral therapy. Data were entered and cleaned using EpiData version 3.1 and then exported to STATA version 14 for further statistical analysis. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival time and the Log rank test was used to compare the survival time between different categories of the explanatory variables. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to identify predictors of loss to follow-up and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The incidence rate of loss to follow-up was 6.3 per 100 children years of observation. Being male (AHR = 2.1, CI = 1.37, 3.34), aged 1–5 years (AHR = 1.6, CI = 1.05, 2.46), poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (AHR = 6.6; CI = 4.11, 10.66), fair adherence to antiretroviral therapy (AHR = 2.2; CI = 1.13, 4.20), regimen was not changed (AHR = 4.1; CI = 2.59, 6.45), World Health Organization stage III and IV (AHR = 2.2; CI = 1.40, 3.33) and height for age <−2 z score (AHR = 2.2; CI = 1.43, 3.44) were predictors of loss to follow-up.

Conclusion

Nearly seven out of 100 HIV-infected children were lost to follow-up from their link to ART clinics within a one-year follow-up. Non-modifiable demographic characteristics, clinical stage and nutritional status, and ART-related variables were associated with children’s loss to follow-up. Therefore, close monitoring of the “at risk” groups might decrease the rate of loss to follow-up. Improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy and nutritional support are also recommended.

The Impact of the Evolving Human Immunodeficiency Virus Response on the Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in South African Children and Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Few studies have evaluated tuberculosis control in children and adolescents. We used routine tuberculosis surveillance data to quantify age- and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-stratified trends over time and investigate the relationship between tuberculosis, HIV, age, and sex.

METHODS

All children and adolescents (0-19 years) routinely treated for drug-susceptible tuberculosis in South Africa and recorded in a de-duplicated national electronic tuberculosis treatment register (2004-2016) were included. Age- and HIV-stratified tuberculosis case notification rates (CNRs) were calculated in four age bands: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 years. The association between HIV infection, age, and sex in children and adolescents with tuberculosis was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 719 400 children and adolescents included, 339 112 (47%) were 0-4 year olds. The overall tuberculosis CNR for 0-19 year olds declined by 54% between 2009 and 2016 (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], .45-.47). Trends varied by age and HIV, with the smallest reductions (2013-2016) in HIV-positive 0-4 year olds (IRR = 0.90; 95% CI, .85-.95) and both HIV-positive (IRR = .84; 95% CI, .80-.88) and HIV-negative (IRR = 0.89; 95% CI, .86-.92) 15-19 year olds. Compared with 0- to 4-year-old males, odds of HIV coinfection among 15-19 year olds were nearly twice as high in females (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.49; 95% CI, 2.38-2.60) than in males (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.29-1.42).

CONCLUSIONS

South Africa's national response to the HIV epidemic has made a substantial contribution to the observed declining trends in tuberculosis CNRs in children and adolescents. The slow decline of tuberculosis CNRs in adolescents and young HIV-positive children is concerning. Understanding how tuberculosis affects children and adolescents beyond conventional age bands and by sex can inform targeted tuberculosis control strategies.

Health care transition for patients with vascular malformations: a French multicenter cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Health care transition (i.e., transition from pediatric to adult care) is challenging in chronic conditions but has been poorly studied in rare chronic skin diseases. We investigated the proportion of lost to follow-up among patients with superficial vascular malformations after health care transition. We also collected patients' opinions. This prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was performed at 7 French hospitals. We included patients aged 19-25 years, who were followed for a superficial vascular malformation before age 16, and who had completed the transition period in 2020. Data were collected from medical records and a questionnaire was sent to included patients asking about the health care transition.

RESULTS

Among the 90 patients included, 41 (46%) were lost to follow-up after health care transition period. The age at diagnosis was significantly higher for lost to follow-up than non- lost to follow-up patients. The lost to follow-up proportion was similar between patients who changed and did not change hospitals during the transition. Responses to the questionnaire were obtained for 47 of 90 patients (52.2% response rate); most were satisfied with their care (n = 31/36, 86.1%); however, a lack of psychological support was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Health care transition is associated to a high rate of lost to follow-up. Early management seems associated to less lost to follow-up. Further studies are needed to better understand risk factors for a failed health care transition and its consequences.

Clinical Features of HIV Arthropathy in Children: A Case Series and Literature Review

Background

HIV infection has been associated with a non-erosive inflammatory arthritis in children, although few published reports exist. This study describes the clinical, laboratory and imaging features of this noncommunicable disease in a series of HIV-infected children in South Africa.

Methods

A database search was conducted to identify HIV-infected children enrolled in a Paediatric Rheumatology service in Cape Town, South Africa between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2020. Retrospective data were collected from individuals classified with HIV arthropathy, based on a predefined checklist. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, sonographic, therapeutic, and outcomes data were extracted by chart review. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using R (v4.0.3).

Results

Eleven cases of HIV arthropathy were included in the analysis. Cases predominantly presented in older boys with low CD4+ counts. Median age at arthritis onset was 10.3 years (IQR 6.9 – 11.6) and the male-female ratio was 3.0. The median absolute CD4+ count was 389 cells/uL (IQR 322 – 449). The clinical presentation was variable, with both oligoarthritis and polyarthritis being common. Elevated acute phase reactants were the most consistent laboratory feature, with a median ESR of 126 mL/h (IQR 67 – 136) and median CRP of 36 mg/L (IQR 25 – 68). Ultrasonography demonstrated joint effusions and synovial hypertrophy. Response to therapy was slower than has generally been described in adults, with almost all cases requiring more than one immunosuppressive agent. Five children were discharged in established remission after discontinuing immunotherapy, however outcomes data were incomplete for the remaining six cases.

Conclusions

In this case series, HIV arthropathy was associated with advanced immunosuppression. Therapeutic modalities included immunomodulators and antiretroviral therapy, which consistently induced disease remission although data were limited by a high rate of attrition. Prospective studies are needed to define and understand this HIV-associated noncommunicable disease.

Retention in Medical Care Among Insured Adolescents and Young Adults With Diagnosed HIV Infection, United States, 2010-2014

OBJECTIVES

Retention in care is a critical component of effective HIV treatment, and adolescents and young adults are at higher risk of inadequate retention than older adults. The objective of our study was to examine the patterns of retention in care among adolescents and young adults with HIV infection by analyzing Medicaid and commercial health insurance claims data.

METHODS

We evaluated retention in care for HIV-diagnosed adolescents and young adults aged 13-24 using the 2010-2014 MarketScan Medicaid and MarketScan Commercial Claims health insurance databases. The study period extended 36 months from the date of the first claim with a code for HIV or AIDS. We determined the unweighted proportion retained in care for the Medicaid and Commercial Claims cohorts for months 0-24 and 25-36. We assessed associations between demographic characteristics and retention in care using logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 378 adolescents and young adults were in the Medicaid cohort and 1028 in the Commercial Claims cohort. In the Medicaid and Commercial Claims cohorts, respectively, 186 (49%) and 591 (57%) adolescents and young adults were retained in care during months 0-24. In the Medicaid cohort, 113 (73%) people retained in care and 69 (45%) people not retained in care during months 0-24 were retained in care during months 25-36. In the Commercial Claims cohort, 313 (77%) and 94 (31%) retained and not retained people, respectively, were found to be in care during months 25-36.

CONCLUSIONS

Notable proportions of HIV-diagnosed adolescents and young adults are not adequately retained in care; public health interventions tailored to this population are needed.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Adolescents and Mode of Transmission in Southern Africa: A Multinational Analysis of Population-Based Survey Data

Background

Adolescents aged 10–19 years living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (ALHIV), both perinatally infected adolescents (APHIV) and behaviorally infected adolescents (ABHIV), are a growing population with distinct care needs. We characterized the epidemiology of HIV in adolescents included in Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (2015–2017) in Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Eswatini, and Lesotho.

Methods

Adolescents were tested for HIV using national rapid testing algorithms. Viral load (VL) suppression (VLS) was defined as VL <1000 copies/mL, and undetectable VL (UVL) as VL <50 copies/mL. Recent infection (within 6 months) was measured using a limiting antigen avidity assay, excluding adolescents with VLS or with detectable antiretrovirals (ARVs) in blood. To determine the most likely mode of infection, we used a risk algorithm incorporating recency, maternal HIV and vital status, history of sexual activity, and age at diagnosis.

Results

HIV prevalence ranged from 1.6% in Zambia to 4.8% in Eswatini. Of 707 ALHIV, 60.9% (95% confidence interval, 55.3%–66.6%) had HIV previously diagnosed, and 47.1% (41.9%–52.3%) had VLS. Our algorithm estimated that 72.6% of ALHIV (485 of 707) were APHIV, with HIV diagnosed previously in 69.5% of APHIV and 39.4% of ABHIV, and with 65.3% of APHIV and 33.5% of ABHIV receiving ARV treatment. Only 67.2% of APHIV and 60.5% of ABHIV receiving ARVs had UVL.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that two-thirds of ALHIV were perinatally infected, with many unaware of their status. The low prevalence of VLS and UVL in those receiving treatment raises concerns around treatment effectiveness. Expansion of opportunities for HIV diagnoses and the optimization of treatment are imperative.

HIV Care Cascade Among Adolescents in a "Test and Treat" Community-Based Intervention: HPTN 071 (PopART) for Youth Study

PURPOSE

The PopART for Youth (P-ART-Y) study was nested within the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, a three-arm community randomized trial in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa. The P-ART-Y study evaluated the acceptability and uptake of a combination HIV prevention package among young people. We report on the HIV care cascade for adolescents aged 10-19 years from 14 communities receiving the full HIV prevention package in Zambia and South Africa.

METHODS

Adolescents were offered participation in the PopART intervention, which included universal home-based HIV testing, linkage to care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and other services. Data were collected from September 2016 to December 2017, covering the third round (R3) of the intervention.

RESULTS

We enumerated (listed) 128,241 adolescents (Zambia: 95,295 and South Africa: 32,946). Of the adolescents offered HIV testing, 81.9% accepted in Zambia and 70.3% in South Africa. Knowledge of HIV status was higher among older adolescents and increased from 31.4% before R3 to 88.3% at the end of R3 in Zambia and from 28.3% to 79.5% in South Africa. Overall, there were 1,710 (1.9%) adolescents identified as living with HIV by the end of R3 (515 new diagnoses and 1,195 self-reported). Of the new diagnoses, 335 (65.0%) were girls aged 15-19 years. The median time to initiate ART was 5 months. ART coverage before and after R3 increased from 61.3% to 78.7% in Zambia and from 65.6% to 87.8% in South Africa, with boys having higher uptake than girls in both countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The PopART intervention substantially increased coverage toward the first and second UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets in adolescents.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Adolescent-Friendly Rap Video to Improve Health Literacy Among HIV-Positive Youth in Urban Peru

Clinical outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) might be improved by interventions aimed at addressing limited health literacy. We developed a Spanish-language rap video on HIV concepts and examined its acceptability and feasibility as a learning tool among ALHIV in Lima, Peru. Twenty-eight ALHIV receiving care at an urban pediatric hospital and ten stakeholders engaged in the care of adolescents watched the video. Adolescents completed a pre- and post-video questionnaire. We conducted focus groups with ALHIV and in-depth interviews with stakeholders and analyzed transcripts to identify themes. ALHIV described concepts of CD4 cell count and viral load as they were portrayed. Participants reported the video was relatable, accessible, and provided hope that ALHIV could lead healthy lives and advocated for future videos to address topics such as transmission and sexual health. Questionnaires indicated some improvement in viral load knowledge. An HIV health literacy music video intervention was feasible to implement and accepted by ALHIV and their healthcare providers. Communicating HIV knowledge via music videos may be promising; further study is needed to optimize implementation.

HIV-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Experiences of Kenyan Adolescents Living with HIV Revealed in WhatsApp Group Chats

INTRODUCTION

Mobile technologies represent a scalable platform for delivering knowledge and interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low and middle income countries. Data from mobile interventions can be used to assess the contextual understanding and experiences of ALWH.

METHODS

We examined HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences of Kenyan ALWH revealed in the contextual data from enrollment in a WhatsApp® group chat intervention.

RESULTS

Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. Qualitative analysis of WhatsApp® chat discussions identified a gap in HIV knowledge, high medication-taking literacy, need for mental health support and significant barriers to adherence. Participants discussed challenges with HIV stigma and medication-taking in the school setting.

CONCLUSION

These discussions demonstrate a need for education on HIV topics, mental health support for ALWH, and interventions for stigma mitigation in the school setting.

Hospitalization in South African Adolescents With Perinatally Acquired HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND

Little is known about hospitalization in African adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV+ adolescents). We described the incidence and causes of hospitalization in participants enrolled in the Cape Town Adolescent Antiretroviral Cohort in South Africa.

METHODS

Data collected from July 2013 to October 2018 from PHIV+ and HIV- adolescents were analyzed. Participants were assessed every 6 months and data on intercurrent hospitalization were abstracted. Causes of hospitalizations were classified according to ICD-10 codes. Descriptive statistics, time-to-event analysis and Poisson regression were used to describe causes and incidence and to determine incidence rate ratios for factors associated with hospitalization.

RESULTS

Five hundred fifteen PHIV+ and 109 HIV- participants had a median follow-up of 4.1 years [interquartile range (IQR): 3.7-4.6]. At enrollment HIV+ participants had a median duration of ART of 7.6 years (IQR: 4.6-9.2), median CD4 count of 713 cells/mm (IQR: 561.0-957.5) and 387 (75%) had a viral load <50 copies/mL. There were 149 hospital admissions over 64 months. Crude incidence rates for hospitalization were 6.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7-7.8] and 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2-4.3) per 100-person-years (P = <0.01) in HIV + and HIV-, respectively. Ninety of 149 (60%) admissions in HIV+ participants were classified as non-infectious, 36/149 (24%) were infectious and 23/149 (16%) were "other HIV-related" or "unknown." Older age (15-19 years) and maintaining a CD4 >500 cells/cm were associated with decreased risk of hospitalization: adjusted incidence rate ratios of 0.61 (CI: 0.44-0.86, P = <0.01) and 0.68 (CI: 0.49-0.94, P = 0.02), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

PHIV+ adolescents had a high incidence of hospitalization despite ART. Strategies addressing infectious and non-infectious morbidity must be strengthened.

Retention in care for adolescents who were newly initiated on antiretroviral therapy in the Cape Metropole in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Long-term retention of adolescents aged 10 -19 years on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial to achieve viral load suppression. However, it is reported globally that adolescents have lower retention in care (RiC) on ART, compared with children and adults.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and predictors of RiC of adolescents over 2 years following initiation onto ART in public health facilities in the Metropole District Health Services of the Western Cape province in 2013.

METHODS

Data of 220 adolescent patients who were newly initiated on ART in 2013 were extracted from the provincial electronic database, and subjected to univariate and bivariate analyses using SPSS.

RESULTS

The rate of RiC post-initiation was low throughout the study period, that is, 68.6%, 50.5% and 36.4% at 4, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The corresponding post-initiation viral load suppression levels on ART of those remaining in care and who had viral loads monitored were 84.1%, 77.4% and 68.8% at 4, 12 and 24 months, respectively. Retention in care after initiation on ART was higher amongst younger adolescents (10-14 years), compared with older adolescents (15-19 years). Male adolescents were significantly more likely to be retained, compared with females. Pregnant adolescents were significantly less likely to be retained compared with those who were not pregnant.

CONCLUSION

Key interventions are needed to motivate adolescents to remain in care, and to adhere to their treatment regimen to achieve the target of 90% viral load suppression, with specific emphasis on older and pregnant adolescents.

Dual Analysis of Loss to Follow-up for Perinatally HIV-Infected Adolescents Receiving Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Asia

BACKGROUND

Perinatally HIV-infected adolescents (PHIVA) are an expanding population vulnerable to loss to follow-up (LTFU). Understanding the epidemiology and factors for LTFU is complicated by varying LTFU definitions.

SETTING

Asian regional cohort incorporating 16 pediatric HIV services across 6 countries.

METHODS

Data from PHIVA (aged 10-19 years) who received combination antiretroviral therapy 2007-2016 were used to analyze LTFU through (1) an International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) method that determined LTFU as >90 days late for an estimated next scheduled appointment without returning to care and (2) the absence of patient-level data for >365 days before the last data transfer from clinic sites. Descriptive analyses and competing-risk survival and regression analyses were used to evaluate LTFU epidemiology and associated factors when analyzed using each method.

RESULTS

Of 3509 included PHIVA, 275 (7.8%) met IeDEA and 149 (4.3%) met 365-day absence LTFU criteria. Cumulative incidence of LTFU was 19.9% and 11.8% using IeDEA and 365-day absence criteria, respectively. Risk factors for LTFU across both criteria included the following: age at combination antiretroviral therapy initiation <5 years compared with age ≥5 years, rural clinic settings compared with urban clinic settings, and high viral loads compared with undetectable viral loads. Age 10-14 years compared with age 15-19 years was another risk factor identified using 365-day absence criteria but not IeDEA LTFU criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Between 12% and 20% of PHIVA were determined LTFU with treatment fatigue and rural treatment settings consistent risk factors. Better tracking of adolescents is required to provide a definitive understanding of LTFU and optimize evidence-based models of care.

Factors Affecting Loss to Follow-Up in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Endocrine Conditions

OBJECTIVE

Most children with endocrine diseases require long-term continuity of care. We investigated the prevalence of loss to follow-up (LTFU) in pediatric patients with chronic endocrine diseases and the risk factors associated with LTFU.

METHODS

This observational cohort study included all children with chronic endocrine diseases included in the database of a single academic pediatric care center over a period of 8 years. LTFU was defined as a lack of attendance at clinical visits for over 2 years, for unknown reasons.

RESULTS

LTFU was recorded for 154 of the 1,067 patients included (14%). Median age at diagnosis was 5.8 (0.3-11.8) vs. 1.2 (0.0-6.9) years, and age at last visit was 14.1 (9.7-16.1) vs. 11.7 (6.1-15.8) years, for the LTFU and no-LTFU groups, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the risk of LTFU increased with age at diagnosis (OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.12-1.24) and was higher for patients diagnosed before 2006 (vs. after 2006; OR 4.80; 95% CI 3.00-7.66), with fewer visits in the last 3 years (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.65-0.80; p < 0.0001) and a lower health insurance classification (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.10-2.89; p = 0.02). The risk of LTFU was higher for patients with isolated growth hormone deficiency than for those with other endocrine conditions, such as multiple pituitary deficiencies, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, Turner syndrome, or thyroid, adrenal, or gonadal disorders (OR 5.24; 95% CI 1.13-24.37; p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first epidemiological data for LTFU in children and adolescents with chronic endocrine diseases. It should facilitate the targeting of interventions to improve adherence to medical care and healthcare organization during the pediatric period.

Attrition during pre-ART and ART time periods among adolescents enrolled in Integrated HIV Care Programme in Myanmar, 2005-2017

Retaining adolescents (aged 10–19 years), living with HIV (ALHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is challenging. In Myanmar, 1269 ALHIV were under an Integrated HIV Care (IHC) Programme by June 2017 and their attrition (death and lost to follow-up) rates were not assessed before. We undertook a cohort study using routinely collected data of ALHIV enrolled into HIV care from July 2005 to June 2017 and assessed their attrition rates in June 2018 by time-to-event analysis. Of 1269 enrolled, 197(16%) and of 1054 initiated ART, 224 (21%) had an attrition defining event. The pre-ART and ART attrition rates were 21.8 (95% CI 19.0–25.1) and 6.4 (95% CI 5.6–7.3) per 100 person-years follow-up, respectively. The factors ‘at enrolment’ that were associated with higher hazards of attrition were: (1) WHO stage 3 or 4; (2) haemoglobin <10 gm/dl; (3) no documented CD4 cell counts, hepatitis B and C test results; and (4) injection drug use. Baseline hazards were high during the initial 1–2 years and after 5–6 years. The pre-ART and ART attrition rates in ALHIV were lower than those in Africa but higher than the children under IHC. This warrants designing and implementing additional care tailored to the needs of ALHIV under IHC.

Predictors of Loss to Follow-Up Among Pediatric and Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors: A Report from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research

Follow-up is integral for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) care to ensure surveillance and intervention for complications. We characterized the incidence of and predictors for being lost to follow-up. Two-year survivors of first allogeneic HCT (10,367 adults and 3865 children) or autologous HCT (7291 adults and 467 children) for malignant/nonmalignant disorders between 2002 and 2013 reported to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research were selected. The cumulative incidence of being lost to follow-up (defined as having missed 2 consecutive follow-up reporting periods) was calculated. Marginal Cox models (adjusted for center effect) were fit to evaluate predictors. The 10-year cumulative incidence of being lost to follow-up was 13% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12% to 14%) in adult allogeneic HCT survivors, 15% (95% CI, 14% to 16%) in adult autologous HCT survivors, 25% (95% CI, 24% to 27%) in pediatric allogeneic HCT survivors, and 24% (95% CI, 20% to 29%) in pediatric autologous HCT survivors. Factors associated with being lost to follow-up include younger age, nonmalignant disease, public/no insurance (reference: private), residence farther from the tranplantation center, and being unmarried in adult allogeneic HCT survivors; older age and testicular/germ cell tumor (reference: non-Hodgkin lymphoma) in adult autologous HCT survivors; older age, public/no insurance (reference: private), and nonmalignant disease in pediatric allogeneic HCT survivors; and older age in pediatric autologous HCT survivors. Follow-up focusing on minimizing attrition in high-risk groups is needed to ensure surveillance for late effects.

A Longitudinal Study of Behavioral Risk, Adherence, and Virologic Control in Adolescents Living With HIV in Asia

BACKGROUND

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) have poorer adherence and clinical outcomes than adults. We conducted a study to assess behavioral risks and antiretroviral therapy outcomes among ALHIV in Asia.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study among ALHIV and matched HIV-uninfected controls aged 12-18 years was conducted at 9 sites in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam from July 2013 to March 2017. Participants completed an audio computer-assisted self-interview at weeks 0, 48, 96, and 144. Virologic failure (VF) was defined as ≥1 viral load (VL) measurement >1000 copies/mL. Generalized estimating equations were used to identify predictors for VF.

RESULTS

Of 250 ALHIV and 59 HIV-uninfected controls, 58% were Thai and 51% females. The median age was 14 years at enrollment; 93% of ALHIV were perinatally infected. At week 144, 66% of ALHIV were orphans vs. 28% of controls (P < 0.01); similar proportions of ALHIV and controls drank alcohol (58% vs. 65%), used inhalants (1% vs. 2%), had been sexually active (31% vs. 21%), and consistently used condoms (42% vs. 44%). Of the 73% of ALHIV with week 144 VL testing, median log VL was 1.60 (interquartile range 1.30-1.70) and 19% had VF. Over 70% of ALHIV had not disclosed their HIV status. Self-reported adherence ≥95% was 60% at week 144. Smoking cigarettes, >1 sexual partner, and living with nonparent relatives, a partner or alone, were associated with VF at any time.

CONCLUSIONS

The subset of ALHIV with poorer adherence and VF require comprehensive interventions that address sexual risk, substance use, and HIV-status disclosure.

Characterizing the double-sided cascade of care for adolescents living with HIV transitioning to adulthood across Southern Africa

INTRODUCTION

As adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYLH) age, they face a "transition cascade," a series of steps associated with transitions in their care as they become responsible for their own healthcare. In high-income countries, this usually includes transfer from predominantly paediatric/adolescent to adult clinics. In sub-Saharan Africa, paediatric HIV care is mostly provided in decentralized, non-specialist primary care clinics, where "transition" may not necessarily include transfer of care but entails becoming more autonomous for one's HIV care. Using different age thresholds as proxies for when "transition" to autonomy might occur, we evaluated pre- and post-transition outcomes among AYLH.

METHODS

We included AYLH aged <16 years at enrolment, receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) within International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS Southern Africa (IeDEA-SA) sites (2004 to 2017) with no history of transferring care. Using the ages of 16, 18, 20 and 22 years as proxies for "transition to autonomy," we compared the outcomes: no gap in care (≥2 clinic visits) and viral suppression (HIV-RNA <400 copies/mL) in the 12 months before and after each age threshold. Using log-binomial regression, we examined factors associated with no gap in care (retention) in the 12 months post-transition.

RESULTS

A total of 5516 AYLH from 16 sites were included at "transition" age 16 (transition-16y), 3864 at 18 (transition-18y), 1463 at 20 (transition-20y) and 440 at 22 years (transition-22y). At transition-18y, in the 12 months pre- and post-transition, 83% versus 74% of AYLH had no gap in care (difference 9.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) 7.8 to 10.9)); while 65% versus 62% were virally suppressed (difference 2.7 (-1.0 to 6.5%)). The strongest predictor of being retained post-transition was having no gap in the preceding year, across all transition age thresholds (transition-16y: adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 1.72; 95% CI (1.60 to 1.86); transition-18y: aRR 1.76 (1.61 to 1.92); transition-20y: aRR 1.75 (1.53 to 2.01); transition-22y: aRR 1.47; (1.21 to 1.78)).

CONCLUSIONS

AYLH with gaps in care need targeted support to prevent non-retention as they take on greater responsibility for their healthcare. Interventions to increase virologic suppression rates are necessary for all AYLH ageing to adulthood.

The Transition of Care From Pediatric to Adult Health-Care Services of Vertically HIV-Infected Adolescents: A Pilot Study

Objective: Clinical and psychological HIV-related problems peak during adolescence, which coincides with transition of children and adolescents infected from mothers from pediatric to adult reference centers for HIV infection. Transition often is done without specific programs. We wanted to explore transition as an opportunity to increase the efficacy of care and the psychological well-being through a specific program. Methods: Thirteen vertically infected patients aged 13-20 years were followed up for 24 months by pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, a psychologist, and a nurse. Interventions consisted in joint clinic, simplification of therapy, patient group discussions, HIV infection explanations, and psychological support, lasting 12 months. Efficacy was measured by viro-immunological outcomes and adherence to therapy and psychological tests. Clinical, viro-immunological, and psychological evaluations were performed at 0 (T0) and 12 months (T12) and 6 months after transition to an adult center (T18). Psychological outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires for quality of life and self-esteem. Results: In 11/13 participants, pills administrations/day were significantly reduced. Patients with undetectable viral load and CD4+ >25% increased from 61 to 77% and from 61 to 74%, respectively. Six months after transition, all patients exhibited an undetectable viral load. Adolescents' awareness of the severity of the disease and the risk of sexual transmission was generally poor. Patients classified with "severe" psychological distress according to the quality of life index decreased from 38 to 15% and well-being increased. Similar results were observed 6 months after the transition to adult care. No effect was observed on self-esteem index. Conclusions: Specific protocols for transition should be developed to optimize resilience and psychological well-being, including routine psychological support for adolescents with HIV infection transiting from pediatric to adult centers for HIV infection.

Lifetime Changes in CD4 T-cell count, Viral Load Suppression and Adherence Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Urban Peru

We quantified longitudinal changes in CD4 T-cell count, viral load suppression and combined antiretroviral therapy adherence from childhood to adolescence among patients living with HIV in urban Peru. Mean CD4 count and viral load suppression decreased dramatically in early adolescence (13 years of age) in tandem with increases in nonadherence.

Long-term retention on antiretroviral therapy among infants, children, adolescents and adults in Malawi: A cohort study

Objectives

We examine long-term retention of adults, adolescents and children on antiretroviral therapy under different HIV treatment guidelines in Malawi.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting and participants

Adults and children starting ART between 2005 and 2015 in 21 health facilities in southern Malawi.

Methods

We used survival analysis to assess retention at clinic level, Cox regression to examine risk factors for loss to follow up, and competing risk analysis to assess long-term outcomes of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Results

We included 132,274 individuals in our analysis, totalling 270,256 person years of follow up (PYFU; median per patient 1.3, interquartile range (IQR) 0.26–3.1), 62% were female and the median age was 32 years. Retention on ART was lower in the first year on ART compared to subsequent years for all guideline periods and age groups. Infants (0–3 years), adolescents and young adults (15–24 years) were at highest risk of LTFU. Comparing the different calendar periods of ART initiation we found that retention improved initially, but remained stable thereafter.

Conclusion

Even though the number of patients and the burden on health care system increased substantially during the study period of rapid ART expansion, retention on ART improved in the early years of ART provision, but gains in retention were not maintained over 5 years on ART. Reducing high attrition in the first year of ART should remain a priority for ART programs, and so should addressing poor retention among adolescents, young adults and men.

Stunting and growth velocity of adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV: differential evolution for males and females. A multiregional analysis from the IeDEA global paediatric collaboration

INTRODUCTION

Stunting is a key issue for adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV (APH) that needs to be better understood. As part of the IeDEA multiregional consortium, we described growth evolution during adolescence for APH on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

We included data from sub-Saharan Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean, Central and South America regions collected between 2003 and 2016. Adolescents on ART, reporting perinatally acquired infection or entering HIV care before 10 years of age, with at least one height measurement between 10 and 16 years of age, and followed in care until at least 14 years of age were included. Characteristics at ART initiation and at 10 years of age were compared by sex. Correlates of growth defined by height-for-age z-scores (HAZ) between ages 10 and 19 years were studied separately for males and females, using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Overall, 8737 APH were included, with 46% from Southern Africa. Median age at ART initiation was 8.1 years (interquartile range (IQR) 6.1 to 9.6), 50% were females, and 41% were stunted (HAZ<-2 SD) at ART initiation. Males and females did not differ by age and stunting at ART initiation, CD4 count over time or retention in care. At 10 years of age, 34% of males were stunted versus 39% of females (p < 0.001). Females had better subsequent growth, resulting in a higher prevalence of stunting for males compared to females by age 15 (48% vs. 25%) and 18 years (31% vs. 15%). In linear mixed models, older age at ART initiation and low CD4 count were associated with poor growth over time (p < 0.001). Those stunted at 10 years of age or at ART initiation had the greatest growth improvement during adolescence.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of stunting is high among APH worldwide. Substantial sex-based differences in growth evolution during adolescence were observed in this global cohort, which were not explained by differences in age of access to HIV care, degree of immunosuppression or region. Other factors influencing growth differences in APH, such as differences in pubertal development, should be better documented, to guide further research and inform interventions to optimize growth and health outcomes among APH.

Healthcare needs and programmatic gaps in transition from pediatric to adult care of vertically transmitted HIV infected adolescents in India

Treatment transition for 'adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV' (ALPH) from paediatric to adult care is not addressed adequately. This study explores the ALPH's health care needs and programmatic gaps in health systems for the care of ALPH in India. Forty-nine in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected primary and key stakeholders in India. Thematic analysis utilizing grounded theory was performed in QSR NUD*IST 6. Stakeholders explicitly recognized adolescent HIV to be a critical public health issue which requires a separate mandate in India. It was found that none of the health policies in India focus on adolescent age group; ALPH is therefore even more neglected population. No/partial HIV disclosure to ALPH is the first crisis for retention in care continuum and adherence to the treatment becomes sub-optimal. Unmet needs of transitioning from paediatric to adult care in existing settings was the major gap. Age-specific counselling guidelines and counselling skills among HCPs were found lacking where tailored counseling and capacity building of HCPs was an expectation. Need of holistic approach for adolescents led to consensus on establishing 'adolescent transition clinic' with a strict 'no' for 'standalone Adolescent HIV' clinics. School setting having peer-based counselling provision was recommended. Age disaggregated health data is required to inform the policymakers about adolescents’ specific needs for developing interventions. Situational analysis to identify and shape health priorities of adolescents is recommended.

Adolescents living with HIV are at higher risk of death and loss to follow up from care: Analysis of cohort data from eight health facilities in Ethiopia

Background

There are limited data on the treatment outcomes of adolescents living with HIV. Our objective was to compare mortality and loss to follow up (LTFU) rates between adolescent and younger age groups at enrollment in care.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study carried out in eight health facilities in two regions of Ethiopia. Adolescents (age 10–14 and 15–19 year) and children (age 0–9 year) enrolled in chronic HIV care between 2005 and 2013 constituted the study population. We reviewed the individual patient charts between March and June 2014 and updated the data on the status of each patient through December 2015. We used death and loss-to-follow up as primary endpoints and used the Cox-regression analysis where age, categorized as adolescent versus child, was the main predictor variable.

Results

Of 2058 participants studied, 52.1% were adolescents. The cohort contributed 2422 person-years of observation (PYO) during the pre-ART follow-up, whereas 1531 patients put on ART contributed 5984 PYO. Of those put on ART, 209 (13.7%) LTFU and 92 (6%) deaths were reported. Adolescents in age group 15–19 yr had the highest risk of LTFU [adjusted hazard ratio, aHR (95% CI) = 3.1 2.1, 5.0 ] followed by those in age group 10–14 yr (aHR = 1.5 [0.9, 2.3]) compared with children aged 0–9 yr. Mortality hazard was significantly higher among younger adolescents (aHR = 2.8 [1.4, 5.4]) and older adolescents (aHR = 2.3 [1.1, 4.9]) compared with children.

Conclusions

Adolescents are at higher risk of mortality and LTFU as compared to children ages 0–9. Younger adolescents and children had similar LTFU rates. Narrow age band disaggregated analysis can serve as useful guide for tailoring interventions to the specific needs of different age groups.

Loss to follow-up and associated factors among adult people living with HIV at public health facilities in Wakiso district, Uganda: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Loss to follow-up (LTFU) from care among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is thought to be more common in the public setting compared to the private health care. It is anticipated that the problem may become worse with the current "test and treat" policy in Uganda due to the likely increases in patient loads and its attendant pressure on health care providers to support patient counseling. This study determined the incidence and factors associated with LTFU from HIV care among adult PLHIV in public health facilities in Wakiso district, Uganda.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study that involved the review of 646 records of patients initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2017 at 13 randomly selected public health facilities in Wakiso district. The cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the factors associated with LTFU. The results were supported by sequential in-depth and key informant interviews to explore reasons for LTFU.

RESULTS

Of the 646 patients enrolled, 391 were female (60.5%), 282 were below 30 years (43.6%) and 207 were married (50.1%). A total of 216 patients (33.4%) had no documented outcomes and were considered LTFU. The incidence of LTFU was 21 per 1000 person months (95% confidence interval (CI): 18-25 per 1000 person months). Factors associated with LTFU included having normal weight compared to underweight (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.64, 95% CI: 0.45-0.90, p = 0.011), receiving HIV care from hospitals compared to lower level facilities (aHR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.12-0.41, p < 0.001), and no telephone contact compared to those with a telephone contact (aHR 2.16, 95% CI: 1.33-3.51, p = 0.002). Stigmatization and long waiting times were the prominent reasons for LTFU reported from the in-depth and key informant interviews.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of LTFU in public health facilities in Uganda is quite high and is associated with being underweight, not having a telephone contact to receive reminders and receiving care at lower level facilities. Early diagnosis, routine use of patient address locator forms and improved quality of HIV care at lower level health facilities may reduce LTFU among PLHIV.