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Opper CA, Browne FA, Howard BN, Zule WA, Wechsberg WM. Assessing Differences in mHealth Usability and App Experiences Among Young African American Women: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Hum Factors 2024; 11:e51518. [PMID: 38625721 PMCID: PMC11061791 DOI: 10.2196/51518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In North Carolina, HIV continues to disproportionately affect young African American women. Although mobile health (mHealth) technology appears to be a tool capable of making public health information more accessible for key populations, previous technology use and social determinants may impact users' mHealth experiences. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate mHealth usability, assessing differences based on previous technology use and social determinants among a sample of African American women in emerging adulthood. METHODS As part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded randomized controlled trial with African American women (aged 18-25 years), counties were assigned to receive an evidence-based HIV risk reduction intervention through mHealth and participants were asked to complete usability surveys at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Participants' first survey responses were analyzed through 2-tailed t tests and linear regression models to examine associations with previous technology use and social determinants (P<.05). RESULTS The mean System Usability Scale (SUS) score was 69.2 (SD 17.9; n=159), which was higher than the threshold of acceptability (68.0). Participants who had previously used a tablet indicated higher usability compared to participants without previous use (mean 72.9, SD 18.1 vs mean 57.6, SD 11.4; P<.001), and participants with previous smartphone use also reported higher usability compared to participants without previous use (mean 71.9, SD 18.3 vs mean 58.0, SD 10.7; P<.001). Differences in SUS scores were observed among those reporting homelessness (mean 58.3, SD 19.0 vs mean 70.8, SD 17.2; P=.01), unemployment (mean 65.9, SD 17.2 vs mean 71.6, SD 18.1; P=.04), or current school enrollment (mean 73.2, SD 18.5 vs mean 65.4, SD 16.5; P=.006). Statistically significant associations were not observed for food insecurity (mean 67.3, SD 18.6 vs mean 69.9, SD 17.7; P=.45). CONCLUSIONS Although above-average usability was observed overall, these findings demonstrate differences in mHealth usability based on past and current life experiences. As mHealth interventions become more prevalent, these findings may have important implications for ensuring that mHealth apps improve the reach of evidence-based interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02965014; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02965014. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.1186/s12889-018-5796-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia A Opper
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Felicia A Browne
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | - William A Zule
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Wechsberg WM, Browne FA, Carney T, Kline TL, Howard BN, Russell SE, van der Drift I, Myers B, Minnis AM, Bonner CP, Ndirangu JW. Outcomes of substance use and sexual power among adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town: Implications for structural and cultural differences. Glob Public Health 2024; 19:2340500. [PMID: 38628080 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2340500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa experience contextual barriers to HIV risk reduction including incomplete schooling, unintended pregnancy, substance use, and gender-based violence. A cluster randomised trial in Cape Town allocated 24 Black and Coloured communities to a gender-focused HIV risk-reduction intervention or HIV testing, with 500 AGYW total enrolled. We evaluated intervention efficacy by comparing mean differences overall, by community population group (Black and Coloured) and among those with structural barriers based on neighbourhood, education, and employment (n = 406). Both arms reported reductions in alcohol, cannabis, and condomless sex, with no intervention efficacy overall. Among AGYW with barriers, intervention participants reported fewer days of methamphetamine use at 6 months (t(210) = 2·08, p = ·04). In population group analysis, we found intervention effects on alcohol and sexual communication. Intervention participants in Black communities had fewer days of alcohol use at 12 months (t(136) = 2·10, p = ·04). Sexual discussion (t(147) = -2·47, p = ·02) and condom negotiation (t(146) = -2·51, p = ·01) increased for intervention participants at 12 months in Coloured communities. Gender-focused interventions must address population group differences and intersecting barriers to decrease substance use and increase education, skills, and sexual health protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M Wechsberg
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Felicia A Browne
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Courtney P Bonner
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Singer SE, Wechsberg WM, Kline T, Browne FA, Howard BN, Carney T, Myers B, Bonner CP, Chin-Quee D. Binge drinking and condom negotiation behaviours among adolescent girls and young women living in Cape Town, South Africa: sexual control and perceived personal power. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2282. [PMID: 37980472 PMCID: PMC10657119 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17188-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Condom use among young people in South Africa has declined in recent years and adolescent girls and young women continue to bear the highest incidence of HIV in the country. Young women who have dropped out of school may be more at risk because of traditional gender norms that create substantial power imbalances and a lack of power to negotiate condom use with their male partners, especially when using alcohol and other drugs. METHODS This study presents an analysis of baseline data provided by 500 adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) from Cape Town communities between November 2016 and November 2018 who were reached for a cluster-randomised trial conducted to assess the efficacy of an evidence-based, young woman-focused intervention seeking to reduce HIV risk and substance use behaviours. The analysis focuses on associations between binge drinking, condom use, and sexual negotiation, including impaired sex (any substance use at last sex). RESULTS AGYW who reported frequent condom negotiation with their partners were 8.92 times (95% CI: [4.36, 18.24]) as likely to use a condom when alcohol or other drugs were not used at last sex and 5.50 times (95% CI: [2.06, 14.72]) as likely when alcohol or other drugs were used at last sex (p < 0.05). AGYW who reported frequent binge drinking in the past month (n = 177) had significantly reduced odds of condom use at last sex, irrespective of whether the sex was impaired (OR 0.60, 95% CI: [0.49, 0.73]) or not impaired (OR 0.69, 95% CI: [0.60, 0.81]). DISCUSSION The findings highlight the need for interventions that reach AGYW in South Africa by specifically aiming to educate AGYW about the effect of binge drinking on negotiating power in their relationships, thus providing them with the knowledge and skills to increase agency regarding condom use. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02974998 (recruitment completed). 29/11/2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne E Singer
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Tracy Kline
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Felicia A Browne
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dawn Chin-Quee
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Nyblade L, Ndirangu JW, Speizer IS, Browne FA, Bonner CP, Minnis A, Kline TL, Ahmed K, Howard BN, Cox EN, Rinderle A, Wechsberg WM. Stigma in the health clinic and implications for PrEP access and use by adolescent girls and young women: conflicting perspectives in South Africa. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1916. [PMID: 36242000 PMCID: PMC9563466 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, an urgent need exists to expand access to HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), but the need is particularly acute in sub-Saharan Africa. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers an effective HIV prevention method. In many countries, however, accessing PrEP necessitates that AGYW visit their local health clinic, where they may face access challenges. Some countries have implemented youth-friendly services to reduce certain challenges in local health clinics, but barriers to access persist, including clinic stigma. However, evidence of clinic stigma toward AGYW, particularly with respect to PrEP service delivery, is still limited. This mixed methods study explores stigma toward AGYW seeking clinic services, in particular PrEP, from the perspective of both clinic staff (clinical and nonclinical) and AGYW who seek services at clinic sites in Tshwane province, South Africa. METHODS Six focus group discussions were conducted with AGYW (43 total participants) and four with clinic staff (42 total participants) and triangulated with survey data with AGYW (n = 449) and clinic staff (n = 130). Thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data and descriptive statistics were conducted with the survey data. RESULTS Four common themes emerged across the qualitative and quantitative data and with both AGYW and clinic staff, although with varying degrees of resonance between these two groups. These themes included (1) clinic manifestations of stigma toward AGYW, (2) concerns about providing PrEP services for AGYW, (3) healthcare providers' identity as mothers, and (4) privacy and breaches of confidentiality. An additional theme identified mainly in the AGYW data pertained to stigma and access to healthcare. CONCLUSION Evidence is needed to inform strategies for addressing clinic stigma toward AGYW, with the goal of removing barriers to PrEP services for this group. While awareness has increased and progress has been achieved around the provision of comprehensive, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services, these programs need to be adapted for the specific concerns of young people seeking PrEP services. Our findings point to the four key areas noted above where programs seeking to address stigma toward AGYW in clinics can tailor their programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nyblade
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Global Health Division, RTI International, Washington, DC USA
| | - Jacqueline W. Ndirangu
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Ilene S. Speizer
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Alexandra Minnis
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, CA USA ,grid.47840.3f0000 0001 2181 7878School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Tracy L. Kline
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Social Statistics Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Khatija Ahmed
- grid.477887.3Setshaba Research Centre, Tshwane, South Africa ,grid.49697.350000 0001 2107 2298Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Brittni N. Howard
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Erin N. Cox
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
| | - Abigail Rinderle
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA
| | - Wendee M. Wechsberg
- grid.62562.350000000100301493Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC USA ,grid.40803.3f0000 0001 2173 6074Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA ,grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC USA
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Wechsberg WM, van der Drift I, Howard BN, Myers B, Browne FA, Bonner CP, Carney T, Ndirangu J, Washio Y. Gender and Context Matter: Behavioral and Structural Interventions for People Who Use Alcohol and Other Drugs in Africa. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:8661. [PMID: 35886515 PMCID: PMC9316816 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Heavy alcohol consumption and other drug use are prominent across Africa and increase the risk of exposure to violence, HIV acquisition, and other life-threatening injuries. This review synthesizes evidence on alcohol and other drug (AOD) interventions in Africa; evaluates the differences between interventions that do and do not specifically target populations that use AODs; and highlights the impact of comprehensive vs. brief interventions and those that address syndemic issues from a gender and contextualized lens. Literature searches were conducted to identify research outcomes of randomized interventions published between January 2010 and May 2022 that address AOD use in Africa. Thirty-five full-text articles were included in this review. Most of the identified research studies were concentrated in a few countries. Most studies were conducted in South Africa. Many of the studies comprised brief interventions. However, the most comprehensive interventions were the most effective for AOD outcomes. Several studies indicated the importance of addressing AOD use alongside gender-based violence, mental health needs, gender roles, and other social determinants that affect health outcomes. Intervening on AOD use and addressing social determinants from a gender and contextually relevant perspective is essential to ensuring the long-term health and well-being of people in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M. Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Isa van der Drift
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
| | - Brittni N. Howard
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7580, South Africa; (B.M.); (T.C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town 7580, South Africa; (B.M.); (T.C.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline Ndirangu
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yukiko Washio
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA; (I.v.d.D.); (B.N.H.); (F.A.B.); (C.P.B.); (J.N.); (Y.W.)
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
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Washio Y, Hayashi YP, Atreyapurapu S, Chang K, Ma T, Howard BN, van der Drift I, Browne FA, Wechsberg WM. A Scoping Review of Computer-Based and Telecommunication Technology Interventions to Address Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Smoking in Women. Subst Use Misuse 2022; 57:1257-1272. [PMID: 35582861 PMCID: PMC10083725 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2076878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computer-based and telecommunication technology has become increasingly common to address addiction among women. This review assessed the effect of technology-based interventions on substance misuse, alcohol use, and smoking outcomes among women. METHODS The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline was used to conduct the scoping review. Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus) were used to search for peer-reviewed articles published in English on computer-based and telecommunication technology use to address substance misuse, alcohol use, and smoking among women. RESULTS A total of 30 articles were selected after the final full-text review from the U.S., England, Japan, and the Netherlands. The types of technology used in the interventions included computer software (standalone or web-based), mobile applications, video calling, phone, and text messaging. Intervention outcomes included alcohol and other substance misuse reduction as polysubstance misuse (n = 5), smoking cessation (n = 10), substance misuse reduction only (n = 6), and alcohol use reduction only (n = 9). The populations reached included women who were pregnant (n = 13), postpartum (n = 4), or non-pregnant (n = 14) ranging from adolescent to adulthood. Interventions that targeted polysubstance misuse showed statistically significant reductions (p < .05). CONCLUSION Although effective in reducing alcohol and other substance misuse, mixed findings were identified for other outcomes targeting a single substance. Technology-based interventions might maximize their effects by targeting polysubstance misuse and addressing associated contextual issues in the form of a computer-delivered module(s).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Washio
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 U.S.A
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19140 U.S.A
| | | | | | - Katie Chang
- Benten Technologies, Inc., Manassas, VA, U.S.A
| | - Tony Ma
- Benten Technologies, Inc., Manassas, VA, U.S.A
| | - Brittni N. Howard
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 U.S.A
| | - Isa van der Drift
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 U.S.A
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 U.S.A
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.A
| | - Wendee M. Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709 U.S.A
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, U.S.A
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, U.S.A
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Bonner CP, Fisher CB, Carney T, Browne FA, Gichane MW, Howard BN, Turner L, Wechsberg WM. "Because all mothers is not the same": The development and implementation of an in loco parentis informed consent procedure to enroll adolescent girls and young women to participate in HIV research. J Adolesc 2021; 93:234-244. [PMID: 34896961 PMCID: PMC10916742 DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South Africa has one of the highest incidences of HIV among adolescent girls and young women (AGW), ages 15-24, and recent research has focused on developing interventions for HIV prevention. However, the South African National Health Act requires those under 18 years of age to obtain a guardian's permission to participate in research. Limiting research enrolment to AGYW who can obtain guardian consent may lead to non-representative findings. Therefore, innovative, inclusive consent approaches that protect AGYW from the risks of research are needed. METHODS This report details the development and implementation of an approach called the in loco parentis (in place of parent) consent procedure. In loco parentis consent provides a vehicle for adolescent participation that protects adolescents from potential social harms. The in loco parentis consent procedure does not seek to obtain independent minor consent but seeks to obtain permission for the minor to participate in research from a trusted adult who is not a minor's parent or legal guardian. This report also qualitatively explores the experiences of 31 AGYW who were recruited into a behavioral HIV prevention study using this method. RESULTS Findings suggest that the in loco parentis consent procedure is a feasible and acceptable method to inclusively AGYW in HIV research. CONCLUSIONS The in loco parentis procedure may provide a more inclusive strategy to recruit AGYW for HIV research to increase the generalizability of findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | | | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Felicia A Browne
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Margaret W Gichane
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brittni N Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Leslie Turner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA; Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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8
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Watkins RL, Browne FA, Kizakevich PN, Howard BN, Turner LB, Eckhoff R, Wechsberg WM. The mHealth Development of an Evidence-Based HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention for Young African American Women in the US South (Preprint). JMIR Form Res 2021; 6:e34041. [PMID: 35532978 PMCID: PMC9127646 DOI: 10.2196/34041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Young African American women have higher rates of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, than those of young women of other racial and ethnic groups. Gender-, culture-, and age-specific interventions are needed to end the HIV epidemic. The Women’s CoOp (WC) is an HIV risk–reduction intervention that is proven to be efficacious in various face-to-face formats. Objective This study aims to adapt the delivery method of an evidence-based intervention, the WC, from an in-person format to a self-guided mobile health (mHealth) format while ensuring that core elements are maintained for intervention comparability and fidelity. Methods Several adaptation phases were conducted by using the Personal Health Informatics and Intervention Toolkit (PHIT) as a guiding point to create the mobile app version of the WC. Throughout 5 phases, we established the implementation groundwork for the app; conducted formative research activities to test the initial draft of the app and obtain feedback; applied the PHIT toolkit programming structure to produce the mHealth version of the WC intervention; conducted usability testing and pretesting with interested parties, followed by in-house testing by WC interventionists and PHIT developers; and deployed the app to tablets and distributed it to study participants. The app underwent regular maintenance updates during the study. Results The team converted the seven elements of the WC as accurately as possible for comparability to determine efficacy in a mobile app format while changing little about the basic delivery methods. For instance, cue card presentations of the materials delivered by the intervention staff were presented within the app but with voice-over narration and in a self-guided format rather than being led by a staff member. Other aspects of the intervention did not lend themselves to such straightforward adaptation, such as hands-on condom proficiency practice and one-on-one goal-setting activities. In these cases, the subject matter experts and app developers worked together to find comparable analogs to be used within the app. Once developed, tested, and finalized, the mHealth WC app was deployed into local health departments as part of a randomized trial. Conclusions This systematic adaptation process created an accurate mHealth equivalent of an existing, in-person behavioral health intervention. Although participants’ reception of the app during the formative developmental phase was overall positive, maintaining fidelity to the in-person delivery compromised the natural capabilities of a mobile app, such as further gamification, different types of interactivity, and integrated notifications and messaging, which could be helpful for participants’ adherence to the intervention schedule. Given the development and implementation of the app, the next step is to examine the impact of the app and its efficacy in HIV and substance use risk-reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felicia A Browne
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | | | - Leslie B Turner
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Randall Eckhoff
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Wechsberg WM, Browne FA, Bonner CP, Washio Y, Howard BN, van der Drift I. Current Interventions for People Living with HIV Who Use Alcohol: Why Gender Matters. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 18:351-364. [PMID: 34110591 PMCID: PMC8190977 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-021-00558-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Alcohol is the most misused substance in the world. For people living with HIV (PLWH), alcohol misuse may impact ART adherence and viral suppression. This review of the most recently published alcohol intervention studies with PLWH examines how these studies considered gender in the samples, design, and analyses. RECENT FINDINGS Three searches were conducted initially, and 13 intervention studies fit our criteria with alcohol outcomes. In general, most studies did not consider gender and had used small samples, and few demonstrated significant efficacy/effectiveness outcomes. Five studies considered gender in their samples or analyses and/or were woman-focused with larger samples and demonstrated significant outcomes. It is essential for women who misuse alcohol to not only be well represented in alcohol and HIV research but also for studies to consider the barriers to reaching them and their contextual demands and/or co-occurring issues that may affect participation and outcomes in intervention research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - Felicia A Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yukiko Washio
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brittni N Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Isa van der Drift
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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Bonner CP, Carney T, Browne FA, Ndirangu JW, Howard BN, Wechsberg WM. Substance use and depressive and anxiety symptoms among out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Cape Town, South Africa. S Afr Med J 2020; 111:40-45. [PMID: 33404004 PMCID: PMC10729586 DOI: 10.7196/samj.2020.v111i1.14520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a high prevalence of substance use among youth in South Africa (SA), and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Substance use behaviours and mental health are associated with other public health problems among AGYW such as HIV and unintended pregnancy. Therefore, understanding the relationship between substance use and mental health is imperative to improve AGYW's health. OBJECTIVES To examine the association between heavy drinking, marijuana, methamphetamine and methaqualone (Mandrax) use and depressive and anxiety symptoms among AGYW aged 16 - 19 years who have dropped out of school in Cape Town, SA. METHODS Data for this report come from the baseline data of 500 participants of an ongoing cluster-randomised trial assessing the efficacy of a young woman-focused intervention to reduce substance use and HIV risk. After AGYW consented/assented to participate, they completed a urine drug screen and a baseline questionnaire. RESULTS Logistic and negative binomial regressions, controlling for clustering at the neighbourhood level, revealed that frequency of depressive symptoms was significantly and positively related to a positive drug screen for Mandrax (β=0.07; p=0.03). All other associations between the frequency of depressive symptoms and substance use were not statistically significant (ps>0.05). The associations between frequency of anxiety symptoms and substance use were not statistically significant (ps>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the need to address substance use, especially Mandrax use and its associated risk, and depression in an integrated, youth-friendly setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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11
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Wechsberg WM, Browne FA, Ndirangu J, Bonner CP, Minnis AM, Nyblade L, Speizer IS, Howard BN, Myers B, Ahmed K. The PrEPARE Pretoria Project: protocol for a cluster-randomized factorial-design trial to prevent HIV with PrEP among adolescent girls and young women in Tshwane, South Africa. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1403. [PMID: 32933510 PMCID: PMC7490774 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09458-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite increased prevention efforts, HIV remains the leading cause of death among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. Although research indicates important determinants of HIV acquisition at the individual and interpersonal levels, structural-level stigma and discrimination continue to be critical barriers to reaching and retaining this key population for HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health services. Innovative and multilevel interventions are needed that can address the intersectional structural and gender issues that young women face, including stigma, alcohol and drug use, gender-based violence, and other risk factors when seeking health services. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) taken daily has been found to be an effective biomedical HIV prevention tool. Testing a comprehensive gender-focused biobehavioral HIV prevention intervention that is inclusive of social ecological determinants, such as stigma and discrimination reduction in clinics, is critical for reducing HIV among adolescent girls and young women. METHODS This project involves both a Community Collaborative Board and a Youth Advisory Board in helping to adapt the Young Women's Health CoOp intervention and the Health Policy Project (HPP) Stigma and Discrimination (S&D) reduction training curriculum to the setting and population. This study uses a two-by-two factorial design with stratified randomization of 12 clinics, each with distinct catchment areas. The Young Women's Health CoOp addresses substance use, sexual risk, violence prevention and sexual negotiation, condom demonstration, and problem solving with the following additions: knowledge of PrEP, the importance of PrEP adherence, and sexual and reproductive health. Adolescent girls and young women will be assessed with behavioral and biological measures at baseline, 3-, 6- and 9-month follow-up. The S&D reduction training is provided for all staff in the clinics randomized to this condition. Clinic staff will be surveyed at baseline, 4- and 8-month follow-up. We will recruit 900 AGYW from communities in the 12 clinic catchment areas. DISCUSSION The study findings, if efficacious across the outcomes, will be incorporated into the gender-focused HIV prevention intervention toolkit and disseminated to inform multilevel prevention approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT04048551 (Recruiting). Registered: August 7, 2019 (Retrospectively registered).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA. .,Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. .,Department of Psychology, North Carolina State University, 640 Poe Hall, Campus Box 7650, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA. .,Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Felicia A Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA.,Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jacqueline Ndirangu
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Courtney Peasant Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Alexandra M Minnis
- Center for Global Health, RTI International, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 800, Berkeley, CA, 94704, USA.,Epidemiology Division, Berkeley School of Public Health, University of California, 2121 Berkeley Way, Room 5302, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Laura Nyblade
- International Global Health Division, International Development Group, RTI International, 701 13th Street NW #750, Washington, DC, 20005, USA
| | - Ilene S Speizer
- Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Brittni N Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Khatija Ahmed
- Setshaba Research Centre, 2088 Block H, Soshanguve, 0152, South Africa
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12
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Browne FA, Wechsberg WM, Kizakevich PN, Zule WA, Bonner CP, Madison AN, Howard BN, Turner LB. mHealth versus face-to-face: study protocol for a randomized trial to test a gender-focused intervention for young African American women at risk for HIV in North Carolina. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:982. [PMID: 30081868 PMCID: PMC6080398 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5796-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Disparities in the prevalence of HIV persist in the southern United States, and young African American women have a disproportionate burden of HIV as compared with young women of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. As a result, engaging young African American women in the HIV care continuum through HIV testing is imperative. This study is designed to reach this key population at risk for HIV. The study seeks to test the efficacy of two formats of a gender-focused, evidence-based, HIV-risk reduction intervention—the Young Women’s CoOp (YWC)—relative to HIV counseling and testing (HCT) among young African American women between the ages of 18 and 25 who use substances and have not recently been tested for HIV. Methods Using a seek-and-test framework, this three-arm cross-over randomized trial is being conducted in three county health departments in North Carolina. Each county is assigned to one of three study arms in each cycle: in-person (face-to-face) YWC, mobile Health (mHealth) YWC, or HCT. At study enrollment, participants complete a risk behavior survey via audio computer-assisted self-interview, and drug, alcohol, and pregnancy screening tests, and are then referred to HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia testing through their respective health departments. Participants in either of the YWC arms are asked to return approximately 1 week later to either begin the first of two in-person individual intervention sessions or to pick up the mHealth intervention preloaded on a tablet after a brief introduction to using the app. Participants in all arms are asked to return for a 6-month follow-up and 12-month follow-up, and repeat the survey and biological testing from baseline. Discussion The findings from this study will demonstrate which delivery format (mHealth or face-to-face) is efficacious in reducing substance use and sexual risk behaviors. If found to be efficacious, the intervention has potential for wider dissemination and reach. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02965014. Registered November 16, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia A Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Wendee M Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.,Health Policy & Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.,Psychology in the Public Interest, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Paul N Kizakevich
- Research Computing Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - William A Zule
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Courtney P Bonner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Ashton N Madison
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Brittni N Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Leslie B Turner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
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13
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Wechsberg WM, Browne FA, Carney T, Myers B, Minnis A, MacDonald R, Ndirangu JW, Turner LB, Howard BN, Rodman N. The Young Women's Health CoOp in Cape Town, South Africa: Study protocol for a cluster-randomised trial for adolescent women at risk for HIV. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:859. [PMID: 29996792 PMCID: PMC6042235 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-5665-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa remains the global epicentre of HIV infection, and adolescent women have the highest incidence of HIV in the country. South Africa also has high rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, violence, and gender inequality. Violence converges with AOD use, gender inequities and other disparities, such as poverty, to increase sexual risk and poor educational attainment for adolescent women. This study seeks to test the efficacy of peer recruitment and cofacilitation of the Young Women's Health CoOp (YWHC), a comprehensive gender-focused intervention to reduce HIV risk behaviours and increase the uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT) among out-of-school, adolescent women who use AODs. The YWHC is facilitated by local research staff and supported by peers. METHODS This cluster-randomised trial is enrolling participants into two arms: a control arm that receives standard HCT, and an intervention arm that receives the YWHC. Participants are enrolled from 24 economically disadvantaged communities in Cape Town, South Africa. These geographically distinct communities serve as clusters that are the units of randomisation. This study uses adolescent peer role models and research field staff to recruit marginalised adolescent women. At baseline, participants complete a questionnaire and biological testing for HIV, recent AOD use, and pregnancy. The core intervention is delivered in the month following enrollment, with linkages to health services and educational programmes available to participants throughout the follow-up period. Follow-up interviews and biological testing are conducted at 6 and 12 months post enrollment. DISCUSSION The study findings will increase knowledge of the efficacy of a comprehensive HCT, gender-focused programme in reducing AOD use, victimisation, and sexual risk behaviour and increase uptake services for out-of-school, adolescent women who use AODs. The trial results could lead to wider implementation of the YWHC for vulnerable adolescent women, a key population often neglected in health services. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registration no: NCT02974998 , November 29, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendee M. Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
- Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC USA
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC USA
- Psychology in the Public Interest, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC USA
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alexandra Minnis
- Women’s Global Health Imperative, RTI International, San Francisco, CA USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA USA
| | - Robert MacDonald
- Western Cape Social Development, Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline W. Ndirangu
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Leslie B. Turner
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Brittni N. Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Nathaniel Rodman
- Research Computing Division, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC USA
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14
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Howard BN, Van Dorn R, Myers BJ, Zule WA, Browne FA, Carney T, Wechsberg WM. Barriers and facilitators to implementing an evidence-based woman-focused intervention in South African health services. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:746. [PMID: 29157230 PMCID: PMC5697075 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2669-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, numerous behavior change, risk-reduction, and biomedical interventions have been developed and tested. While some of these interventions have shown to be efficacious in randomized trials, it often takes almost two decades for an intervention to be translated into practice. Meanwhile, South Africa continues to have among the highest prevalence of HIV globally, with women of childbearing age bearing the burden of the epidemic. Given the urgency of the HIV epidemic among vulnerable women in South Africa, it is imperative that evidence-based interventions be implemented rapidly into practice. This study presents a first step toward examining the acceptability and feasibility of implementing the Women's Health CoOp (WHC) in clinics and substance abuse rehab settings in Cape Town, South Africa. METHODS We conducted focus group discussions with women who use substances and with service providers, we also conducted in-depth interviews with health service planners. Our goal was to examine implementation and clinical outcomes associated with delivery of the WHC across clinics and substance abuse rehab programs. RESULTS All participants agreed on the need for the WHC. Perceived facilitators to implementing the WHC included the recognizable need for programs to empower women and to build the capacity of staff to address issues of substance use, sexual risk, and intimate partner violence. Participants also identified potential barriers to women engaging with this program, including the stigma women experience when seeking services and the lack of person-centered care at healthcare facilities. CONCLUSIONS In a country with the largest number of women of childbearing age living with HIV, an evidence-based woman-focused intervention that comprehensively addresses women's risk for suboptimal antiretroviral adherence may be essential for reducing HIV incidence. However, potential barriers to implementing the WHC successfully must be addressed before the program can be fully integrated into the services delivered by healthcare facilities. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical trials NCT02733003 . Date of Registration: January 21, 2016, registered retroactively after participant enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittni N. Howard
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Richard Van Dorn
- Behavioral and Urban Health Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Bronwyn J. Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505 South Africa
| | - William A. Zule
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Felicia A. Browne
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
| | - Tara Carney
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505 South Africa
| | - Wendee M. Wechsberg
- Substance Use, Gender, and Applied Research Program, RTI International, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194 USA
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