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McGee K, d'Elbée M, Dekova R, Sande LA, Dube L, Masuku S, Dlamini M, Mangenah C, Mwenge L, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of distributing HIV self-testing kits in Eswatini through community and workplace models. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:976. [PMID: 38424538 PMCID: PMC10902928 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08694-y] [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: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluates the implementation and running costs of an HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution program in Eswatini. HIVST kits were delivered through community-based and workplace models using primary and secondary distribution. Primary clients could self-test onsite or offsite. This study presents total running economic costs of kit distribution per model between April 2019 and March 2020, and estimates average cost per HIVST kit distributed, per client self-tested, per client self-tested reactive, per client confirmed positive, and per client initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS Distribution data and follow-up phone interviews were analysed to estimate implementation outcomes. Results were presented for each step of the care cascade using best-case and worst-case scenarios. A top-down incremental cost-analysis was conducted from the provider perspective using project expenditures. Sensitivity and scenario analyses explored effects of economic and epidemiological parameters on average costs. RESULTS Nineteen thousand one hundred fifty-five HIVST kits were distributed to 13,031 individuals over a 12-month period, averaging 1.5 kits per recipient. 83% and 17% of kits were distributed via the community and workplace models, respectively. Clients reached via the workplace model were less likely to opt for onsite testing than clients in the community model (8% vs 29%). 6% of onsite workplace testers tested reactive compared to 2% of onsite community testers. Best-case scenario estimated 17,458 (91%) clients self-tested, 633 (4%) received reactive-test results, 606 (96%) linked to confirmatory testing, and 505 (83%) initiated ART. Personnel and HIVST kits represented 60% and 32% of total costs, respectively. Average costs were: per kit distributed US$17.23, per client tested US$18.91, per client with a reactive test US$521.54, per client confirmed positive US$550.83, and per client initiating ART US$708.60. Lower rates for testing, reactivity, and linkage to care in the worst-case scenario resulted in higher average costs along the treatment cascade. CONCLUSION This study fills a significant evidence gap regarding costs of HIVST provision along the client care cascade in Eswatini. Workplace and community-based distribution of HIVST accompanied with effective linkage to care strategies can support countries to reach cascade objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen McGee
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Linda A Sande
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Sanele Masuku
- Population Services International, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Cheryl Johnson
- World Health Organisation, Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Center for Global Heath and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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2
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Miao P, Terris-Prestholt F, Fairley CK, Tucker JD, Wiseman V, Mayaud P, Zhang Y, Rowley J, Gottlieb S, Korenromp EL, Watts CG, Ong JJ. Ignored and undervalued in public health: a systematic review of health state utility values associated with syphilis infection. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2024; 22:17. [PMID: 38350925 PMCID: PMC10863090 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-024-02234-1] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection causing significant global morbidity and mortality. To inform policymaking and economic evaluation studies for syphilis, we summarised utility and disability weights for health states associated with syphilis. METHODS We conducted a systematic review, searching six databases for economic evaluations and primary valuation studies related to syphilis from January 2000 to February 2022. We extracted health state utility values or disability weights, including identification of how these were derived. The study was registered in the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO, CRD42021230035). FINDINGS Of 3401 studies screened, 22 economic evaluations, two primary studies providing condition-specific measures, and 13 burden of disease studies were included. Fifteen economic evaluations reported outcomes as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and seven reported quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Fourteen of 15 economic evaluations that used DALYS based their values on the original Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study from 1990 (published in 1996). For the seven QALY-related economic evaluations, the methodology varied between studies, with some studies using assumptions and others creating utility weights or converting them from disability weights. INTERPRETATION We found a limited evidence base for the valuation of health states for syphilis, a lack of transparency for the development of existing health state utility values, and inconsistencies in the application of these values to estimate DALYs and QALYs. Further research is required to expand the evidence base so that policymakers can access accurate and well-informed economic evaluations to allocate resources to address syphilis and implement syphilis programs that are cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Miao
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, 580 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Philippe Mayaud
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Zhang
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jane Rowley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexual Transmitted Infections Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sami Gottlieb
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Caroline G Watts
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
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3
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Mangenah C, Sibanda EL, Maringwa G, Sithole J, Gudukeya S, Mugurungi O, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Maheswaran H, Thirumurthy H, Cowan FM. Provider and female client economic costs of integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV services in Zimbabwe. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0291082. [PMID: 38346046 PMCID: PMC10861069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
A retrospective facility-based costing study was undertaken to estimate the comparative cost per visit of five integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus) services (provider perspective) within five clinic sites. These five clinics were part of four service delivery models: Non-governmental-organisation (NGO) directly managed model (Chitungwiza and New Africa House sites), NGO partner managed site (Mutare site), private-public-partnership (PPP) model (Chitungwiza Profam Clinic), and NGO directly managed outreach (operating from New Africa House site. In addition client cost exit interviews (client perspective) were conducted among 856 female clients exiting integrated services at three of the sites. Our costing approach involved first a facility bottom-up costing exercise (February to April 2015), conducted to quantify and value each resource input required to provide individual SRH and HIV services. Secondly overhead financial expenditures were allocated top-down from central office to sites and then respective integrated service based on pre-defined allocation factors derived from both the site facility observations and programme data for the prior 12 months. Costs were assessed in 2015 United States dollars (USD). Costs were assessed for HIV testing and counselling, screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis screening with smear microscopy, family planning, and cervical cancer screening and treatment employing visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography and cryotherapy. Variability in costs per visit was evident across the models being highest for cervical cancer screening and cryotherapy (range: US$6.98-US$49.66). HIV testing and counselling showed least variability (range; US$10.96-US$16.28). In general the PPP model offered integrated services at the lowest unit costs whereas the partner managed site was highest. Significant client costs remain despite availability of integrated sexual and reproductive health and HIV services free of charge in our Zimbabwe study setting. Situating services closer to communities, incentives, transport reimbursements, reducing waiting times and co-location of sexual and reproductive health and HIV services may help minimise impact of client costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Euphemia L. Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Galven Maringwa
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington DC, United States of America
| | | | | | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Frances M. Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Killion JA, Magana C, Cepeda JA, Vo A, Hernandez M, Cyr CL, Heskett KM, Wilson DP, Graff Zivin J, Zúñiga ML, Pines HA, Garfein RS, Vickerman P, Terris-Prestholt F, Wynn A, Martin NK. Unit costs of needle and syringe program provision: a global systematic review and cost extrapolation. AIDS 2023; 37:2389-2397. [PMID: 37773035 PMCID: PMC10653296 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003718] [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: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) are effective at preventing HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs (PWID), yet global coverage is low, partly because governments lack data on the cost and cost-effectiveness of NSP in their countries to plan and fund their responses. We conducted a global systematic review of unit costs of NSP provision to inform estimation of cost drivers and extrapolated costs to other countries. METHODS We conducted a systematic review to extract data on the cost per syringe distributed and its cost drivers. We estimated the impact of country-level and program-level variables on the cost per syringe distributed using linear mixed-effects models. These models were used to predict unit costs of NSP provision, with the best performing model used to extrapolate the cost per syringe distributed for 137 countries. The total cost for a comprehensive NSP (200 syringes per PWID/year) was also estimated for 68 countries with PWID population size estimates. RESULTS We identified 55 estimates of the unit cost per syringe distributed from 14 countries. Unit costs were extrapolated for 137 countries, ranging from $0.08 to $20.77 (2020 USD) per syringe distributed. The total estimated spend for a high-coverage, comprehensive NSP across 68 countries with PWID size estimates is $5 035 902 000 for 10 887 500 PWID, 2.1-times higher than current spend. CONCLUSION Our review identified cost estimates from high-income, upper-middle-income, and lower-middle-income countries. Regression models may be useful for estimating NSP costs in countries without data to inform HIV/HCV prevention programming and policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan A. Killion
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla
- San Diego State University, San Diego, California
| | | | | | - Anh Vo
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Natasha K. Martin
- University of California San Diego, La Jolla
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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5
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Nhamo D, Mangenah C, Chapwanya G, Mamvuto T, Mahaka I, Sri-Pathmanathan C, Ferrand RA, Kranzer K, Terris-Prestholt F, Marks M, Tucker JD. Feasibility and economic costs of syphilis self-testing to expand test uptake among gay, bisexual and transgender men: results from a randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe. Sex Health 2023; 20:514-522. [PMID: 37666490 DOI: 10.1071/sh23038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Access to syphilis testing and treatment is frequently limited for men who have sex with men (MSM). A two-armed randomised controlled trial compared feasibility and costs of facility-based syphilis testing with self-testing among MSM in Zimbabwe. METHODS This randomised controlled trial was conducted in Harare, with participants randomised 1:1. Syphilis self-testing was offered in community-based settings. The primary outcome was the relative proportion of individuals taking up testing. Total incremental economic provider and user costs, and cost per client tested, diagnosed and treated were assessed using ingredients-based costing in 2020US$. RESULTS A total of 100 men were enrolled. The two groups were similar in demographics. The mean age was 26years. Overall, 58% (29/50) and 74% (37/50) of facility- and self-testing arm participants, respectively, completed syphilis testing. A total of 28% of facility arm participants had a reactive test, with 50% of them returning for confirmatory testing yielding 28% reactivity. In the self-testing arm, 67% returned for confirmatory testing, with a reactivity of 16%. Total provider costs were US$859 and US$736, and cost per test US$30 and US$15 for respective arms. Cost per reactive test was US$107 and US$123, and per client treated US$215 and US$184, respectively. The syphilis test kit was the largest cost component. Total user cost per client per visit was US$9. CONCLUSION Syphilis self-testing may increase test uptake among MSM in Zimbabwe. However, some barriers limit uptake including lack of self-testing and poor service access. Bringing syphilis testing services to communities, simplifying service delivery and increasing self-testing access through community-based organisations are useful strategies to promote health-seeking behaviours among MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Definate Nhamo
- Pangaea Zimbabwe AIDS Trust (PZAT), Harare, Zimbabwe; and Department of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN), Durban, South Africa
| | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe; and Department of International Global Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
| | | | | | - Imelda Mahaka
- Pangaea Zimbabwe AIDS Trust (PZAT), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Rashida A Ferrand
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK; and Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK; and Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK; and UNAIDS, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Marks
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK; and Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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6
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Dziva Chikwari C, Dauya E, Bandason T, Tembo M, Mavodza C, Simms V, Mackworth-Young CRS, Apollo T, Grundy C, Weiss H, Kranzer K, Mavimba T, Indravudh P, Doyle A, Mugurungi O, Machiha A, Bernays S, Busza J, Madzima B, Terris-Prestholt F, McCarthy O, Hayes R, Francis S, Ferrand RA. The impact of community-based integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on population-level HIV viral load and sexually transmitted infections in Zimbabwe: protocol for the CHIEDZA cluster-randomised trial. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:54. [PMID: 38162283 PMCID: PMC10755263 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17530.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Youth have poorer HIV-related outcomes when compared to other age-groups. We describe the protocol for a cluster randomised trial (CRT) to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based, integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on HIV outcomes. PROTOCOL The CHIEDZA trial is being conducted in three provinces in Zimbabwe, each with eight geographically demarcated areas (clusters) (total 24 clusters) randomised 1:1 to standard of care (existing health services) or to the intervention. The intervention comprises community-based delivery of HIV services including testing, antiretroviral therapy, treatment monitoring and adherence support as well as family planning, syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), menstrual health management, condoms and HIV prevention and general health counselling. Youth aged 16-24 years living within intervention clusters are eligible to access CHIEDZA services. A CRT of STI screening (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis) is nested in two provinces (16 of 24 clusters). The intervention is delivered over a 30-month period by a multidisciplinary team trained and configured to provide high-quality, youth friendly services.Outcomes will be ascertained through a population-based survey of 18-24-year-olds. The primary outcome is HIV viral load <1000 copies/ml in those living with HIV and proportion who test positive for STIs (for the nested trial). A detailed process and cost evaluation of the trial will be conducted. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The trial protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, the Biomedical Research and Training Institute Institutional Review Board and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee. Results will be submitted to open-access peer-reviewed journals, presented at academic meetings and shared with participating communities and with national and international policy-making bodies. TRIAL REGISTRATION https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT03719521.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chido Dziva Chikwari
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ethel Dauya
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mandikudza Tembo
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Constancia Mavodza
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Victoria Simms
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Tsitsi Apollo
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Chris Grundy
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Weiss
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aoife Doyle
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Owen Mugurungi
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Anna Machiha
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sarah Bernays
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanna Busza
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ona McCarthy
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Suzanna Francis
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rashida A. Ferrand
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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7
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Dziva Chikwari C, Dauya E, Bandason T, Tembo M, Mavodza C, Simms V, Mackworth-Young CRS, Apollo T, Grundy C, Weiss H, Kranzer K, Mavimba T, Indravudh P, Doyle A, Mugurungi O, Machiha A, Bernays S, Busza J, Madzima B, Terris-Prestholt F, McCarthy O, Hayes R, Francis S, Ferrand RA. The impact of community-based integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on population-level HIV viral load and sexually transmitted infections in Zimbabwe: protocol for the CHIEDZA cluster-randomised trial. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:54. [PMID: 38162283 PMCID: PMC10755263 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17530.2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Youth have poorer HIV-related outcomes when compared to other age-groups. We describe the protocol for a cluster randomised trial (CRT) to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based, integrated HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for youth on HIV outcomes. Protocol The CHIEDZA trial is being conducted in three provinces in Zimbabwe, each with eight geographically demarcated areas (clusters) (total 24 clusters) randomised 1:1 to standard of care (existing health services) or to the intervention. The intervention comprises community-based delivery of HIV services including testing, antiretroviral therapy, treatment monitoring and adherence support as well as family planning, syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), menstrual health management, condoms and HIV prevention and general health counselling. Youth aged 16-24 years living within intervention clusters are eligible to access CHIEDZA services. A CRT of STI screening (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis) is nested in two provinces (16 of 24 clusters). The intervention is delivered over a 30-month period by a multidisciplinary team trained and configured to provide high-quality, youth friendly services.Outcomes will be ascertained through a population-based survey of 18-24-year-olds. The primary outcome is HIV viral load <1000 copies/ml in those living with HIV and proportion who test positive for STIs (for the nested trial). A detailed process and cost evaluation of the trial will be conducted. Ethics and Dissemination The trial protocol was approved by the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe, the Biomedical Research and Training Institute Institutional Review Board and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Research Ethics Committee. Results will be submitted to open-access peer-reviewed journals, presented at academic meetings and shared with participating communities and with national and international policy-making bodies. Trial Registration https://clinicaltrials.gov/: NCT03719521.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chido Dziva Chikwari
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ethel Dauya
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Mandikudza Tembo
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Constancia Mavodza
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Victoria Simms
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Tsitsi Apollo
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Chris Grundy
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Weiss
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Aoife Doyle
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Owen Mugurungi
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Anna Machiha
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sarah Bernays
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanna Busza
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Public Health, Environments and Society, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ona McCarthy
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Richard Hayes
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Suzanna Francis
- MRC International Statistics & Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rashida A. Ferrand
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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d'Elbée M, Terris-Prestholt F, Briggs A, Griffiths UK, Larmarange J, Medley GF, Gomez GB. Estimating health care costs at scale in low- and middle-income countries: Mathematical notations and frameworks for the application of cost functions. Health Econ 2023; 32:2216-2233. [PMID: 37332114 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4722] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate costing and economic modeling are major factors for the successful scale-up of health interventions. Various cost functions are currently being used to estimate costs of health interventions at scale in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) potentially resulting in disparate cost projections. The aim of this study is to gain understanding of current methods used and provide guidance to inform the use of cost functions that is fit for purpose. We reviewed seven databases covering the economic and global health literature to identify studies reporting a quantitative analysis of costs informing the projected scale-up of a health intervention in LMICs between 2003 and 2019. Of the 8725 articles identified, 40 met the inclusion criteria. We classified studies according to the type of cost functions applied-accounting or econometric-and described the intended use of cost projections. Based on these findings, we developed new mathematical notations and cost function frameworks for the analysis of healthcare costs at scale in LMICs setting. These notations estimate variable returns to scale in cost projection methods, which is currently ignored in most studies. The frameworks help to balance simplicity versus accuracy and increase the overall transparency in reporting of methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- University of Bordeaux, National Institute for Health and Medical Research (INSERM) UMR 1219, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) EMR 271, Bordeaux Population Health Centre, Bordeaux, France
- Ceped UMR 196, Université Paris Cité, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrew Briggs
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ulla Kou Griffiths
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Health Section, Program Group, UNICEF, New York, New York, USA
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Ceped UMR 196, Université Paris Cité, Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Graham Francis Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gabriella Beatriz Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- IAVI, New York, New York, USA
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9
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Towns JM, Tieosapjaroen W, Mello MB, Baggaley RC, Johnson CC, Jamil MS, Rowley J, Barr-DiChiara M, Terris-Prestholt F, Chen MY, Chow EPF, Fairley CK, Zhang L, Ong JJ. The role of syphilis self-testing as an additional syphilis testing approach in key populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Public Health 2023; 8:e726-e734. [PMID: 37482070 DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(23)00128-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syphilis is causing epidemics in many countries. Syphilis self-testing (SST) has potential to increase testing and treatment coverage in the same manner as documented for self-testing of, for example, HIV, hepatitis C virus, and COVID-19. We aimed to synthesise current evidence on the utility of SST. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and, where possible, meta-analysis. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science for publications published from Jan 1, 2000, to Oct 13, 2022. We included publications with original data on any syphilis rapid tests, including dual HIV-syphilis tests. Study populations were not restricted. We used random-effects meta-analysis to calculate the pooled proportion of people offered SST who undertook the test. The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022302129). FINDINGS In total, 40 499 citations were identified. 11 publications from seven studies from the USA, Zimbabwe, and China met eligibility criteria. Of those, four studies reported data from men who have sex with men and five studies used dual HIV-SST. Using data from one randomised controlled trial and three observational studies, the pooled proportion of people who received SST kits who undertook the test was 88% (95% CI 85-91). No studies provided data on the sensitivity or specificity of SST. Overall, user and provider preference for SST was high, with participants reporting convenience, privacy, rapid results, autonomy, trust in blood-based tests, decreased facility contact, and time savings, with individuals being able to correctly self-test. Publications from China reported that SST had lower costs per person tested than existing facility-based testing options. INTERPRETATION Our review builds on the literature for self-testing across different disease areas and demonstrates that SST has the potential to reach underserved populations. As this review found that SST use was acceptable and feasible to implement, SST can be used as an additional syphilis testing approach. Since no data on the sensitivity and specificity of SST were found, further implementation research will be required to guide the best strategies for SST service delivery and future scale-up. FUNDING WHO, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, and Unitaid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M Towns
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Warittha Tieosapjaroen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Maeve B Mello
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rachel C Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Muhammad S Jamil
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jane Rowley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jason J Ong
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
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10
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Tang FFY, Kosana P, Jit M, Terris-Prestholt F, Wu D, Ong JJ, Tucker JD. Pay-it-forward influenza vaccination among older adults and children: A cost-effectiveness analysis in China. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001590. [PMID: 37651349 PMCID: PMC10470923 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001590] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
A quasi-experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of a pay-it-forward strategy for increasing influenza vaccination among children and older adults compared to a self-paid vaccination strategy in China. Pay-it-forward is an innovative community-engaged intervention in which participants receive a free influenza vaccination and are then asked if they would like to donate or create a message to support subsequent vaccinations. This economic evaluation used a decision-tree model to compare pay-it-forward to a standard of care arm in which patients had to pay for their own influenza vaccine. The analysis was performed from the healthcare provider perspective and costs were calculated with 2020 United States dollars. The time horizon was one year. In the base case analysis, pay-it-forward was more effective (111 vs 55 people vaccinated) but more costly than standard-of-care ($4477 vs $2725). Pay-it-forward spurred 96.4% (107/111) of individuals to voluntarily donate to support influenza vaccination for high-risk groups in China. Further costing and implementation research is needed to inform scale up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Fong-Yi Tang
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Priya Kosana
- School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Mark Jit
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- UNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joseph D. Tucker
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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11
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Torres-Rueda S, Terris-Prestholt F, Gafos M, Indravudh PP, Giddings R, Bozzani F, Quaife M, Ghazaryan L, Mann C, Osborne C, Kavanagh M, Godfrey-Faussett P, Medley G, Malhotra S. Health Economics Research on Non-surgical Biomedical HIV Prevention: Identifying Gaps and Proposing a Way Forward. Pharmacoeconomics 2023; 41:787-802. [PMID: 36905570 PMCID: PMC10007656 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-022-01231-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Although HIV prevention science has advanced over the last four decades, evidence suggests that prevention technologies do not always reach their full potential. Critical health economics evidence at appropriate decision-making junctures, particularly early in the development process, could help identify and address potential barriers to the eventual uptake of future HIV prevention products. This paper aims to identify key evidence gaps and propose health economics research priorities for the field of HIV non-surgical biomedical prevention. METHODS We used a mixed-methods approach with three distinct components: (i) three systematic literature reviews (costs and cost effectiveness, HIV transmission modelling and quantitative preference elicitation) to understand health economics evidence and gaps in the peer-reviewed literature; (ii) an online survey with researchers working in this field to capture gaps in yet-to-be published research (recently completed, ongoing and future); and (iii) a stakeholder meeting with key global and national players in HIV prevention, including experts in product development, health economics research and policy uptake, to uncover further gaps, as well as to elicit views on priorities and recommendations based on (i) and (ii). RESULTS Gaps in the scope of available health economics evidence were identified. Little research has been carried out on certain key populations (e.g. transgender people and people who inject drugs) and other vulnerable groups (e.g. pregnant people and people who breastfeed). Research is also lacking on preferences of community actors who often influence or enable access to health services among priority populations. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis, which has been rolled out in many settings, has been studied in depth. However, research on newer promising technologies, such as long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis formulations, broadly neutralising antibodies and multipurpose prevention technologies, is lacking. Interventions focussing on reducing intravenous and vertical transmission are also understudied. A disproportionate amount of evidence on low- and middle-income countries comes from two countries (South Africa and Kenya); evidence from other countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well as other low- and middle-income countries is needed. Further, data are needed on non-facility-based service delivery modalities, integrated service delivery and ancillary services. Key methodological gaps were also identified. An emphasis on equity and representation of heterogeneous populations was lacking. Research rarely acknowledged the complex and dynamic use of prevention technologies over time. Greater efforts are needed to collect primary data, quantify uncertainty, systematically compare the full range of prevention options available, and validate pilot and modelling data once interventions are scaled up. Clarity on appropriate cost-effectiveness outcome measures and thresholds is also lacking. Lastly, research often fails to reflect policy-relevant questions and approaches. CONCLUSIONS Despite a large body of health economics evidence on non-surgical biomedical HIV prevention technologies, important gaps in the scope of evidence and methodology remain. To ensure that high-quality research influences key decision-making junctures and facilitates the delivery of prevention products in a way that maximises impact, we make five broad recommendations related to: improved study design, an increased focus on service delivery, greater community and stakeholder engagement, the fostering of an active network of partners across sectors and an enhanced application of research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mitzy Gafos
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Quaife
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Lusine Ghazaryan
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carlyn Mann
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Matthew Kavanagh
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Graham Medley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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12
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Giddings R, Indravudh P, Medley GF, Bozzani F, Gafos M, Malhotra S, Terris-Prestholt F, Torres-Rueda S, Quaife M. Infectious Disease Modelling of HIV Prevention Interventions: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis of Compartmental Models. Pharmacoeconomics 2023; 41:693-707. [PMID: 36988896 PMCID: PMC10163138 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-023-01260-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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HIV epidemic remains a major public health problem. Critical to transmission control are HIV prevention strategies with new interventions continuing to be developed. Mathematical models are important for understanding the potential impact of these interventions and supporting policy decisions. This systematic review aims to answer the following question: when a new HIV prevention intervention is being considered or designed, what information regarding it is necessary to include in a compartmental model to provide useful insights to policy makers? The primary objective of this review is therefore to assess suitability of current compartmental HIV prevention models for informing policy development. METHODS Articles published in EMBASE, Medline, Econlit, and Global Health were screened. Included studies were identified using permutations of (i) HIV, (ii) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), circumcision (both voluntary male circumcision [VMMC] and early-infant male circumcision [EIMC]), and vaccination, and (iii) modelling. Data extraction focused on study design, model structure, and intervention incorporation into models. Article quality was assessed using the TRACE (TRAnsparent and Comprehensive Ecological modelling documentation) criteria for mathematical models. RESULTS Of 837 articles screened, 48 articles were included in the review, with 32 unique mathematical models identified. The substantial majority of studies included PrEP (83%), whilst fewer modelled circumcision (54%), and only a few focussed on vaccination (10%). Data evaluation, implementation verification, and model output corroboration were identified as areas of poorer model quality. Parameters commonly included in the mathematical models were intervention uptake and effectiveness, with additional intervention-specific common parameters identified. We identified key modelling gaps; critically, models insufficiently incorporate multiple interventions acting simultaneously. Additionally, population subgroups were generally poorly represented-with future models requiring improved incorporation of ethnicity and sexual risk group stratification-and many models contained inappropriate data in parameterisation which will affect output accuracy. CONCLUSIONS This review identified gaps in compartmental models to date and suggests areas of improvement for models focusing on new prevention interventions. Resolution of such gaps within future models will ensure greater robustness and transparency, and enable more accurate assessment of the impact that new interventions may have, thereby providing more meaningful guidance to policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mitzy Gafos
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Matthew Quaife
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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13
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Zishiri V, Conserve DF, Haile ZT, Corbett E, Hatzold K, Meyer-Rath G, Matsimela K, Sande L, d’Elbee M, Terris-Prestholt F, Johnson CC, Chidarikire T, Venter F, Majam M. Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits by HIV index and antenatal care clients: implementation and costing results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 22:971. [PMID: 37264343 PMCID: PMC10234581 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08324-7] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, positivity, linkage and cost per kit distributed. METHODS Between April 2018 and December 2019, antenatal care (ANC) clinic attendees and people or those newly diagnosed with HIV clients across twelve clinics in three cities in South Africa were given HIVST kits (OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, OraSure Technologies) to distribute to their sexual partners. A follow-up telephonic survey was administered to all prior consenting clients who were successfully reached by telephone to assess primary outcomes. Incremental economic costs of the implementation were estimated from the provider's perspective. RESULTS Fourteen thousand four hundred seventy-three HIVST kits were distributed - 10,319 (71%) to ANC clients for their male partner and 29% to people newly diagnosed with HIV for their partners. Of the 4,235 ANC clients successfully followed-up, 82.1% (3,475) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their male partner with 98.1% (3,409) accepting and 97.6% (3,328) using the kit. Among ANC partners self-testing, 159 (4.8%) reported reactive HIVST results, of which 127 (79.9%) received further testing; 116 (91.3%) were diagnosed with HIV and 114 (98.3%) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART). Of the 1,649 people newly diagnosed with HIV successfully followed-up; 1,312 (79.6%) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their partners with 95.8% (1,257) of the partners accepting and 95.9% (1,206) reported that their partners used the kit. Among these index partners, 297 (24.6%) reported reactive HIVST results of which 261 (87.9%) received further testing; 260 (99.6%) were diagnosed with HIV and 258 (99.2%) initiated ART. The average cost per HIVST distributed in the three cities was US$7.90, US$11.98, and US$14.81, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Partner-delivered HIVST in real world implementation was able to affordably reach many male partners of ANC attendees and index partners of people newly diagnosed with HIV in South Africa. Given recent COVID-19 related restrictions, partner-delivered HIVST provides an important strategy to maintain essential testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Zishiri
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Donaldson F. Conserve
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute of Public Health, George Washington University, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Zelalem T. Haile
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin, USA
| | | | | | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Linda Sande
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marc d’Elbee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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14
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Kpokiri E, Pan SW, Ong JJ, Greaves E, Khan J, Bowen S, Jannaway T, Terris-Prestholt F, Tanton C, Kuper H, Shakespeare T, Tucker JD, Wu D. Preferences for accessing sexual health services among middle-aged and older adults in the UK: a study protocol for a discrete choice experiment using mixed methods. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e066783. [PMID: 37156584 PMCID: PMC10174011 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066783] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sexual health is essential for general health and well-being. Sexual health services for middle-aged and older adults are not prioritised and optimising available services for this population is often overlooked. Not much is known about preferences for accessing sexual health services among middle-aged and older people or level of satisfaction with current services. The aim of this study is to explore preferences for seeking sexual health services among middle-aged and older adults in the UK. This study will use discrete choice experiments (DCEs) including initial qualitative interviews followed by the survey, which have been used as a tool to explore preferences in various health service delivery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The project will be carried out in two phases. First, we will conduct in-depth semi-structured interviews with 20-30 adults (aged 45+), including disabled people, and those from sexual minority groups resident in the UK. Interviews will explore indications, preferences and factors related to accessing sexual health services. Themes and subthemes emerging from the analysis of the interviews will then be used to design the choice sets and attribute level for the DCEs. For the second phase, for the DCEs, we will design choice sets composed of sexual health service delivery scenarios. The software Ngene will be used to develop the experimental design matrix for the DCE. We will use descriptive statistics to summarise the key sociodemographic characteristics of the study population. Multinomial logit, latent class and mixed logit models will be explored to assess sexual health service preferences and preference heterogeneity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethical approval for both parts of this study was granted by the Research and Ethics Committee at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Findings from this study will be disseminated widely to relevant stakeholders via scheduled meetings, webinars, presentations and journal publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eneyi Kpokiri
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen W Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jason J Ong
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emily Greaves
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Junead Khan
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sophie Bowen
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Clare Tanton
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hannah Kuper
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Thomas Shakespeare
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- University of North Carolina Project China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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15
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Bozzani FM, Terris-Prestholt F, Quaife M, Gafos M, Indravudh PP, Giddings R, Medley GF, Malhotra S, Torres-Rueda S. Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of Biomedical, Non-Surgical HIV Prevention Interventions: A Systematic Literature Review. Pharmacoeconomics 2023; 41:467-480. [PMID: 36529838 PMCID: PMC10085926 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-022-01223-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considerable evidence on the costs and cost-effectiveness of biomedical, non-surgical interventions to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission has been generated over the last decade. This study aims to synthesize findings and identify remaining knowledge gaps to suggest future research priorities. METHODS A systematic literature review was carried out in August 2020 using the MEDLINE, Embase, Global Health and EconLit databases to retrieve economic evaluations and costing studies of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), injectable long-acting PrEP, vaginal microbicide rings and gels, HIV vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies. Studies reporting costs from the provider or societal perspective were included in the analysis. Those reporting on behavioural methods of prevention, condoms and surgical approaches (voluntary medical male circumcision) were excluded. The quality of reporting of the included studies was assessed using published checklists. RESULTS We identified 3007 citations, of which 87 studies were retained. Most were set in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs; n = 53) and focused on the costs and/or cost-effectiveness of oral PrEP regimens (n = 70). Model-based economic evaluations were the most frequent study design; only two trial-based cost-effectiveness analyses and nine costing studies were found. Less than half of the studies provided practical details on how the intervention would be delivered by the health system, and only three of these, all in LMICs, explicitly focused on service integration and its implication for delivery costs. 'Real-world' programme delivery mechanisms and costs of intervention delivery were rarely considered. PrEP technologies were generally found to be cost-effective only when targeting high-risk subpopulations. Single-dose HIV vaccines are expected to be cost-effective for all groups despite substantial uncertainty around pricing. CONCLUSIONS A lack of primary, detailed and updated cost data, including above-service level costs, from a variety of settings makes it difficult to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of specific delivery modes at scale, or to evaluate strategies for services integration. Closing this evidence gap around real-world implementation is vital, not least because the strategies targeting high-risk groups that are recommended by PrEP models may incur substantially higher costs and be of limited practical feasibility in some settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiammetta M Bozzani
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | | | - Matthew Quaife
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Mitzy Gafos
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Pitchaya P Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | | | - Graham F Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | | | - Sergio Torres-Rueda
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
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Walker JG, Ivanova E, Jamil MS, Ong JJ, Easterbrook P, Fajardo E, Johnson CC, Luhmann N, Terris-Prestholt F, Vickerman P, Shilton S. Cost-effectiveness of Hepatitis C virus self-testing in four settings. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001667. [PMID: 37018166 PMCID: PMC10075433 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023]
Abstract
Globally, there are approximately 58 million people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) but only 20% have been diagnosed. HCV self-testing (HCVST) could reach those who have never been tested and increase uptake of HCV testing services. We compared cost per HCV viraemic diagnosis or cure for HCVST versus facility-based HCV testing services. We used a decision analysis model with a one-year time horizon to examine the key drivers of economic cost per diagnosis or cure following the introduction of HCVST in China (men who have sex with men), Georgia (men 40-49 years), Viet Nam (people who inject drugs, PWID), and Kenya (PWID). HCV antibody (HCVAb) prevalence ranged from 1%-60% across settings. Model parameters in each setting were informed by HCV testing and treatment programmes, HIV self-testing programmes, and expert opinion. In the base case, we assume a reactive HCVST is followed by a facility-based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and then nucleic acid testing (NAT). We assumed oral-fluid HCVST costs of $5.63/unit ($0.87-$21.43 for facility-based RDT), 62% increase in testing following HCVST introduction, 65% linkage following HCVST, and 10% replacement of facility-based testing with HCVST based on HIV studies. Parameters were varied in sensitivity analysis. Cost per HCV viraemic diagnosis without HCVST ranged from $35 2019 US dollars (Viet Nam) to $361 (Kenya). With HCVST, diagnosis increased resulting in incremental cost per diagnosis of $104 in Viet Nam, $163 in Georgia, $587 in Kenya, and $2,647 in China. Differences were driven by HCVAb prevalence. Switching to blood-based HCVST ($2.25/test), increasing uptake of HCVST and linkage to facility-based care and NAT testing, or proceeding directly to NAT testing following HCVST, reduced the cost per diagnosis. The baseline incremental cost per cure was lowest in Georgia ($1,418), similar in Viet Nam ($2,033), and Kenya ($2,566), and highest in China ($4,956). HCVST increased the number of people tested, diagnosed, and cured, but at higher cost. Introducing HCVST is more cost-effective in populations with high prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine G. Walker
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Ivanova
- FIND, The Global Alliance for Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Muhammad S. Jamil
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jason J. Ong
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Philippa Easterbrook
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuel Fajardo
- FIND, The Global Alliance for Diagnostics, Geneva, Switzerland
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cheryl Case Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Niklas Luhmann
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
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Chen Y, Saldarriaga EM, Montano MA, Ngure K, Thuo N, Kiptinness C, Rafferty M, Terris-Prestholt F, Stergachis A, Mugambi ML, Ortblad KF, Sharma M. Assessing preferences for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery services via online pharmacies in Kenya: protocol for a discrete choice experiment. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069195. [PMID: 37012008 PMCID: PMC10083853 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069195] [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] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective at preventing HIV acquisition, but coverage remains low in high prevalence settings. Initiating and continuing PrEP via online pharmacies is a promising strategy to expand PrEP uptake but little is known about user preferences for this strategy. We describe methods for a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to assess preferences for PrEP delivery from an online pharmacy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This cross-sectional study is conducted in Nairobi, Kenya, in partnership with MYDAWA, a private online pharmacy retailer with a planned sample size of >400 participants. Eligibility criteria are: ≥18 years, not known HIV-positive and interested in PrEP. Initial DCE attributes and levels were developed via literature review and stakeholder meetings. We conducted cognitive interviews to assess participant understanding of the DCE survey and refined the design. The final DCE used a D-efficient design and contained four attributes: PrEP eligibility assessment, HIV test type, clinical consultation type and user support options. Participants are presented with eight scenarios consisting of two hypothetical PrEP delivery services. The survey was piloted among 20 participants before being advertised on the MYDAWA website on pages displaying products indicating HIV risk (eg, HIV self-test kits). Interested participants call a study number and those screened eligible meet a research assistant in a convenient location to complete the survey. The DCE will be analysed using a conditional logit model to assess average preferences and mixed logit and latent class models to evaluate preference heterogeneity among subgroups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the University of Washington Human Research Ethics Committee (STUDY00014011), the Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi County (EOP/NMS/HS/128) and the Scientific and Ethics Review Unit in Kenya (KEMRI/RES/7/3/1). Participation in the DCE is voluntary and subject to completion of an electronic informed consent. Findings will be shared at international conferences and peer-reviewed publications, and via engagement meetings with stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Chen
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Enrique M Saldarriaga
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Michalina A Montano
- Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kenneth Ngure
- School of Public Health, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nicholas Thuo
- Partners in Health Research and Development, Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Catherine Kiptinness
- Partners in Health Research and Development, Center for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
| | - Andy Stergachis
- The Comparative Health Outcomes, Policy, and Economics (CHOICE) Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Katrina F Ortblad
- Public Health Science Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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18
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Ung M, Martin S, Terris-Prestholt F, Quaife M, Tieosapjaroen W, Phillips T, Lee D, Chow EPF, Medland N, Bavinton BR, Pan SW, Mao L, Ong JJ. Preferences for HIV prevention strategies among newly arrived Asian-born men who have sex with men living in Australia: A discrete choice experiment. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1018983. [PMID: 36992887 PMCID: PMC10040803 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1018983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The HIV epidemic in Australia is changing with higher risk for HIV among newly-arrived Asian-born men who have sex with men (MSM) compared to Australian-born MSM. We evaluated the preferences for HIV prevention strategies among 286 Asian-born MSM living in Australia for <5 years. A latent class analysis uncovered three classes of respondents who were defined by their preferences: “PrEP” (52%), “Consistent condoms” (31%), and “No strategy” (17%). Compared to the “No strategy” class, men in the “PrEP” class were less likely to be a student or ask their partner for their HIV status. Men in the “Consistent condoms” class were more likely to get information about HIV from online, and less likely to ask their partner for their HIV status. Overall, PrEP was the preferred HIV prevention strategy for newly arrived migrants. Removing structural barriers to access PrEP can accelerate progress toward ending HIV transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Ung
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sarah Martin
- Canberra Sexual Health Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Quaife
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Warittha Tieosapjaroen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tiffany Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - David Lee
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P. F. Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nick Medland
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Stephen W. Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
- University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Limin Mao
- Centre for Social Research and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Jason J. Ong
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Dial NJ, Croft SL, Chapman LAC, Terris-Prestholt F, Medley GF. Challenges of using modelling evidence in the visceral leishmaniasis elimination programme in India. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0001049. [PMID: 36962829 PMCID: PMC10021829 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001049] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
As India comes closer to the elimination of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) as a public health problem, surveillance efforts and elimination targets must be continuously revised and strengthened. Mathematical modelling is a compelling research discipline for informing policy and programme design in its capacity to project incidence across space and time, the likelihood of achieving benchmarks, and the impact of different interventions. To gauge the extent to which modelling informs policy in India, this qualitative analysis explores how and whether policy makers understand, value, and reference recently produced VL modelling research. Sixteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with both users- and producers- of VL modelling research, guided by a knowledge utilisation framework grounded in knowledge translation theory. Participants reported that barriers to knowledge utilisation include 1) scepticism that models accurately reflect transmission dynamics, 2) failure of modellers to apply their analyses to specific programme operations, and 3) lack of accountability in the process of translating knowledge to policy. Political trust and support are needed to translate knowledge into programme activities, and employment of a communication intermediary may be a necessary approach to improve this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J. Dial
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon L. Croft
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lloyd A. C. Chapman
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham F. Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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20
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Indravudh PP, Terris-Prestholt F, Neuman M, Kumwenda MK, Chilongosi R, Johnson CC, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Fielding K. Understanding mechanisms of impact from community-led delivery of HIV self-testing: Mediation analysis of a cluster-randomised trial in Malawi. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0001129. [PMID: 36962622 PMCID: PMC10021599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001129] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Community HIV strategies are important for early diagnosis and treatment, with new self-care technologies expanding the types of services that can be led by communities. We evaluated mechanisms underlying the impact of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing (HIVST) using mediation analysis. We conducted a cluster-randomised trial allocating 30 group village heads and their catchment areas to the community-led HIVST intervention in addition to the standard of care (SOC) or the SOC alone. The intervention used participatory approaches to engage established community health groups to lead the design and implementation of HIVST campaigns. Potential mediators (individual perceptions of social cohesion, shared HIV concern, critical consciousness, community HIV stigma) and the outcome (HIV testing in the last 3 months) were measured through a post-intervention survey. Analysis used regression-based models to test (i) intervention-mediator effects, (ii) mediator-outcome effects, and (iii) direct and indirect effects. The survey included 972 and 924 participants in the community-led HIVST and SOC clusters, respectively. The community-led HIVST intervention increased uptake of recent HIV testing, with no evidence of indirect effects from changes in hypothesised mediators. However, standardised scores for community cohesion (adjusted mean difference [MD] 0.15, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.32, p = 0.10) and shared concern for HIV (adjusted MD 0.13, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.29, p = 0.09) were slightly higher in the community-led HIVST arm than the SOC arm. Social cohesion, community concern, and critical consciousness also apparently had a quadratic association with recent testing in the community-led HIVST arm, with a positive relationship indicated at lower ranges of each score. We found no evidence of intervention effects on community HIV stigma and its association with recent testing. We conclude that the intervention effect mostly operated directly through community-driven service delivery of a novel HIV technology rather than through intermediate effects on perceived community mobilisation and HIV stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P. Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moses K. Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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21
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McBain R, Nandakumar AK, Ruffner M, Mann C, Hijazi M, Baker S, Morrison L, Chalkidou K, Zhang S, Semini I, Terris-Prestholt F, Forsythe S, Byakika S, Musinguzi J, Kaplan RS. A new initiative to track HIV resource allocation and costs. Bull World Health Organ 2022; 100:358-358A. [PMID: 35694617 PMCID: PMC9178425 DOI: 10.2471/blt.22.287818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan McBain
- Partners in Health, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, United States of America (USA)
| | - A K Nandakumar
- Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator at the United States Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael Ruffner
- Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator at the United States Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Carlyn Mann
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mai Hijazi
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Susanna Baker
- United States Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Linden Morrison
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kalipso Chalkidou
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Shufang Zhang
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Iris Semini
- Fast Track Implementation Department, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Fast Track Implementation Department, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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22
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Keddie S, Marsh E, D’Sa S, Terris-Prestholt F, Lunn M. 102 The cost of misdiagnosis in POEMS syndrome. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-abn.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundPOEMS syndrome is a rare cause of neuropathy misdiagnosed as Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in 60% of cases. Ineffective CIDP directed therapy is expensive, introduces risk of complications, and often results in disease progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a sensitive and specific biomarker in the diagnosis of POEMS syndrome costing approximately £50. Introducing early directed screening with VEGF more accurately distinguishes POEMS syndrome from CIDP than the current standard of care (SOC).Methods100 cases from the UCLH POEMS database were selected. We grouped patients according to diagnostic pathway and compared health outcomes. We conducted a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis to compare diagnostic outcomes and costs of the current SOC with intervention pathways using VEGF screening. We used a study cohort of 1,250 patients with polyneuropathy (UK incidence) and conducted costing from a health-services perspective.ResultsTreatments associated with POEMS misdiagnosis led to a total healthcare expenditure in our cohort of £808,550-£1,111,756 over 20 years, with an average cost-per-POEMS-syndrome-patient misdiagnosed of£14,701-£20,214. Our intervention pathway which introduces VEGF screening into the current SOC results in 4 additional early POEMS diagnoses per year and a cost-saving of almost £40,000 through avoidance of non-POEMS directed therapy and related hospital costs.ConclusionVEGF testing should be routine for patients presenting with an acquired demyelinating neu- ropathy. This will improve early diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, enable effective therapy and reduce cos8ts5.stephen.keddie@nhs.net
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23
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Wang W, Shi X, Jiang Y, Zhao H, Ong JJ, Wu D, Tucker JD, Terris-Prestholt F, Pan SW. Fear of nosocomial HIV infection may be a barrier to HIV testing among young college and university students in Suzhou, China. J Am Coll Health 2022; 70:1154-1160. [PMID: 32672506 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2020.1786099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
ObjectiveHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test uptake among college and university students in China remains suboptimal. This study aimed to identify and weigh the relative importance of HIV testing preferences among university students in China. Participants and methods: Qualitative interviews and discrete choice experiments (DCE) were used to identify and assess HIV testing preferences in hypothetical HIV testing scenarios. Study participants were sexually experienced university students in Suzhou city, China. Results: 198 participants completed 1980 DCE choice tasks. Risk of nosocomial HIV infection, accuracy, and distance were identified as the most important factors when deciding whether to test for HIV. Risk of nosocomial HIV infection was the most influential factor, accounting for 35.5% of the variation in participants' DCE stated choices. Conclusions: Fear of HIV nosocomial infection may be influencing HIV test preferences and possibly test uptake among university students in China. Interventions should consider addressing students' fear of HIV nosocomial infection as a potential barrier to HIV testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqi Wang
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiao Shi
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yifan Jiang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hanrui Zhao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen W Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
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24
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Phillips AN, Bershteyn A, Revill P, Bansi-Matharu L, Kripke K, Boily MC, Martin-Hughes R, Johnson LF, Mukandavire Z, Jamieson L, Meyer-Rath G, Hallett TB, Ten Brink D, Kelly SL, Nichols BE, Bendavid E, Mudimu E, Taramusi I, Smith J, Dalal S, Baggaley R, Crowley S, Terris-Prestholt F, Godfrey-Faussett P, Mukui I, Jahn A, Case KK, Havlir D, Petersen M, Kamya M, Koss CA, Balzer LB, Apollo T, Chidarikire T, Mellors JW, Parikh UM, Godfrey C, Cambiano V. Cost-effectiveness of easy-access, risk-informed oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa: a modelling study. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e353-e362. [PMID: 35489378 PMCID: PMC9065367 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approaches that allow easy access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), such as over-the-counter provision at pharmacies, could facilitate risk-informed PrEP use and lead to lower HIV incidence, but their cost-effectiveness is unknown. We aimed to evaluate conditions under which risk-informed PrEP use is cost-effective. METHODS We applied a mathematical model of HIV transmission to simulate 3000 setting-scenarios reflecting a range of epidemiological characteristics of communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The prevalence of HIV viral load greater than 1000 copies per mL among all adults (HIV positive and negative) varied from 1·1% to 7·4% (90% range). We hypothesised that if PrEP was made easily available without restriction and with education regarding its use, women and men would use PrEP, with sufficient daily adherence, during so-called seasons of risk (ie, periods in which individuals are at risk of acquiring infection). We refer to this as risk-informed PrEP. For each setting-scenario, we considered the situation in mid-2021 and performed a pairwise comparison of the outcomes of two policies: immediate PrEP scale-up and then continuation for 50 years, and no PrEP. We estimated the relationship between epidemic and programme characteristics and cost-effectiveness of PrEP availability to all during seasons of risk. For our base-case analysis, we assumed a 3-monthly PrEP cost of US$29 (drug $11, HIV test $4, and $14 for additional costs necessary to facilitate education and access), a cost-effectiveness threshold of $500 per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted, an annual discount rate of 3%, and a time horizon of 50 years. In sensitivity analyses, we considered a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100 per DALY averted, a discount rate of 7% per annum, the use of PrEP outside of seasons of risk, and reduced uptake of risk-informed PrEP. FINDINGS In the context of PrEP scale-up such that 66% (90% range across setting-scenarios 46-81) of HIV-negative people with at least one non-primary condomless sex partner take PrEP in any given period, resulting in 2·6% (0·9-6·0) of all HIV negative adults taking PrEP at any given time, risk-informed PrEP was predicted to reduce HIV incidence by 49% (23-78) over 50 years compared with no PrEP. PrEP was cost-effective in 71% of all setting-scenarios, and cost-effective in 76% of setting-scenarios with prevalence of HIV viral load greater than 1000 copies per mL among all adults higher than 2%. In sensitivity analyses with a $100 per DALY averted cost-effectiveness threshold, a 7% per year discount rate, or with PrEP use that was less well risk-informed than in our base case, PrEP was less likely to be cost-effective, but generally remained cost-effective if the prevalence of HIV viral load greater than 1000 copies per mL among all adults was higher than 3%. In sensitivity analyses based on additional setting-scenarios in which risk-informed PrEP was less extensively used, the HIV incidence reduction was smaller, but the cost-effectiveness of risk-informed PrEP was undiminished. INTERPRETATION Under the assumption that making PrEP easily accessible for all adults in sub-Saharan Africa in the context of community education leads to risk-informed use, PrEP is likely to be cost-effective in settings with prevalence of HIV viral load greater than 1000 copies per mL among all adults higher than 2%, suggesting the need for implementation of such approaches, with ongoing evaluation. FUNDING US Agency for International Development, US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Bershteyn
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul Revill
- Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, UK
| | | | | | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Leigh F Johnson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zindoga Mukandavire
- Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Emirates Aviation University, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lise Jamieson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy B Hallett
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK; MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Brooke E Nichols
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eran Bendavid
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Edinah Mudimu
- Department of Decision Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Jennifer Smith
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Shona Dalal
- World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Siobhan Crowley
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Peter Godfrey-Faussett
- Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Irene Mukui
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Kelsey K Case
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Diane Havlir
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Maya Petersen
- Divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Moses Kamya
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Catherine A Koss
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Laura B Balzer
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA
| | | | | | - John W Mellors
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Urvi M Parikh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Catherine Godfrey
- Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, Department of State, Washington, DC, USA
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25
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Zhang Y, Wiseman V, Applegate TL, Lourenco RDA, Street DJ, Smith K, Jamil MS, Terris-Prestholt F, Fairley CK, McNulty A, Hynes A, Johnson K, Chow EPF, Bavinton BR, Grulich A, Stoove M, Holt M, Kaldor J, Guy R, Ong JJ. Preferences for HIV Testing Services and HIV Self-Testing Distribution Among Migrant Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men in Australia. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:839479. [PMID: 35514755 PMCID: PMC9063480 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.839479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In Australia, undiagnosed HIV rates are much higher among migrant gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) than Australian-born GBMSM. HIV self-testing is a promising tool to overcome barriers to HIV testing and improve HIV testing uptake among migrant GBMSM. We compared the preferences for HIV testing services, including HIV self-testing, among migrant and Australian-born GBMSM. Methods Preferences were assessed via two discrete choice experiments (DCEs). Participants were recruited between December 2017 and January 2018 using online and offline advertising and randomly assigned to complete one of two online DCE surveys. Migrant GBMSM were classified as being born in a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement (RHCA) with Australia (providing free or subsided health care) or not. Latent class analysis and mixed logit models were used to explore heterogeneity in preferences. Findings We recruited 1,606 GBMSM, including 583 migrant men of whom 419 (72%) were born in non-RHCA countries. Most participants preferred a free or cheap oral test with higher accuracy and a shorter window period to facilitate early detection of infections. Cost was more important for men born in non-RHCA countries than for men from RHCA countries or Australia. All groups preferred accessing kits through online distributers or off the shelf purchasing from pharmacies. Men born in RHCA countries least preferred accessing HIV self-testing kits from a medical clinic, while more than half of men from non-RHCA countries most preferred sourcing kits from a clinic. Sex-on-premises venues were the least preferred location to access test kits among all groups. In addition, two latent class analyses explored heterogeneity in preferences among men from non-RHCA countries and we found four latent classes for HIV testing services and two latent classes for HIVST distribution. Interpretation Our findings emphasise the need for high-performing and low-cost HIV self-testing kits that are accessible from a variety of distribution points as a component of Australia's HIV response, especially for those who do not have access to free or subsidised health care in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Zhang
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,*Correspondence: Ye Zhang
| | - Virginia Wiseman
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanya L. Applegate
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard De Abreu Lourenco
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah J. Street
- Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirsty Smith
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Muhammad S. Jamil
- Global Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Anna McNulty
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia,School of Population Health, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Adam Hynes
- Thorne Harbour Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Eric P. F. Chow
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Benjamin R. Bavinton
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Grulich
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Martin Holt
- Centre for Social Research in Health, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - John Kaldor
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca Guy
- Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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26
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Mangenah C, Nhamo D, Gudukeya S, Gwavava E, Gavi C, Chiwawa P, Chidawanyika S, Muleya P, Taruberekera N, Madidi N, Ncube G, Bara H, Napierala S, Dunbar M, Hoke T, Kripke K, Cowan FM, Torjesen K, Terris-Prestholt F. Efficiency in PrEP Delivery: Estimating the Annual Costs of Oral PrEP in Zimbabwe. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:161-170. [PMID: 34453240 PMCID: PMC8786759 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03367-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Although oral PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV acquisition, optimizing continuation among beneficiaries is challenging in many settings. We estimated the costs of delivering oral PrEP to populations at risk of HIV in seven clinics in Zimbabwe. Full annual economic costs of oral PrEP initiations and continuation visits were estimated from the providers’ perspective for a six-clinic NGO network and one government SGBV clinic in Zimbabwe (January–December 2018). Disaggregating costs of full initiation and incremental follow-up visits enabled modeling of the impact of duration of continuation on the cost per person-year ($pPY) on PrEP. 4677 people initiated oral PrEP, averaging 2.7 follow-up visits per person. Average cost per person initiated was $238 ($183–$302 across the NGO clinics; $86 in the government facility). The full cost per initiation visit, including central and direct costs, was $178, and the incremental cost per follow-up visit, capturing only additional resources used directly in the follow up visits, was $22. The average duration of continuation was 3.0 months, generating an average $pPY of $943, ranging from $839 among adolescent girls and young women to $1219 in men. Oral PrEP delivery costs varied substantially by scale of initiations and by duration of continuation and type of clinic. Extending the average oral PrEP continuation from 2.7 to 5 visits (about 6 months) would greatly improve service efficiency, cutting the $pPY by more than half.
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27
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Traore MM, Badiane K, Vautier A, Simo Fotso A, Kanku Kabemba O, Rouveau N, Maheu-Giroux M, Boily MC, Larmarange J, Terris-Prestholt F, d'Elbée M. Economic Analysis of Low Volume Interventions Using Real-World Data: Costs of HIV Self-Testing Distribution and HIV Testing Services in West Africa From the ATLAS Project. Front Health Serv 2022; 2:886513. [PMID: 36925821 PMCID: PMC10012764 DOI: 10.3389/frhs.2022.886513] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Achieving the first 95 of the UNAIDS targets requires the implementation of innovative approaches to knowing one's HIV status. Among these innovations is the provision of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits in west Africa by the international partner organization Solthis (IPO). In order to provide guidance for the optimal use of financial resources, this study aims to estimate the program and site level costs of dispensing HIVST as well as HIV testing services (HTS)-excluding HIVST-in health facilities in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal as part of the ATLAS project. We estimated from the provider's perspective, HIVST and HTS incremental costs using top-down and bottom-up costing approaches and conducted a time and motion study. We identified costs at the program level for HIVST (including IPO central costs) and at the site level for HIVST and HTS. The economic costs of distributing HIVST kits were assessed in 37 health facilities between July 2019 and March 2021 (21 months). Sensitivity analyses were also performed on unit costs to examine the robustness of our estimates related to key assumptions. In total, 16,001 HIVST kits were dispensed for 32,194 HTS sessions carried out. Program level HIVST average costs ranged $12-286, whereas site level costs ranged $4-26 across distribution channels and countries. Site level HTS costs ranged $7-8 per testing session, and ranged $72-705 per HIV diagnosis. Across countries and channels, HIVST costs were driven by personnel (27-68%) and HIVST kits (32-73%) costs. The drivers of HTS costs were personnel costs ranging between 65 and 71% of total costs across distribution channels and countries, followed by supplies costs between 21 and 30%. While program level HIVST average costs were high, site level HIVST average costs remained comparable to HTS costs in all countries. Health facility-based distribution channels operating at low volume exhibit high proportion of central costs which should be considered carefully for financial planning when run alongside high volumes mobile outreach distribution channels. HIVST can diversify the HIV testing offer at health facilities, thus improving access to screening for target populations not reached by HTS services.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kéba Badiane
- Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiative pour la Santé, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Anthony Vautier
- Solidarité Thérapeutique et Initiative pour la Santé, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health in the Global South, Bordeaux Population Health, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (Inserm), University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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28
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Jamieson L, Johnson LF, Matsimela K, Sande LA, d'Elbée M, Majam M, Johnson C, Chidarikire T, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Nichols B, Meyer-Rath G. The cost effectiveness and optimal configuration of HIV self-test distribution in South Africa: a model analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005598. [PMID: 34275876 PMCID: PMC8287627 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be acceptable, feasible and effective in increasing HIV testing uptake. Novel testing strategies are critical to achieving the UNAIDS target of 95% HIV-positive diagnosis by 2025 in South Africa and globally. METHODS We modelled the impact of six HIVST kit distribution modalities (community fixed-point, taxi ranks, workplace, partners of primary healthcare (PHC) antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients), partners of pregnant women, primary PHC distribution) in South Africa over 20 years (2020-2039), using data collected alongside the Self-Testing AfRica Initiative. We modelled two annual distribution scenarios: (A) 1 million HIVST kits (current) or (B) up to 6.7 million kits. Incremental economic costs (2019 US$) were estimated from the provider perspective; assumptions on uptake and screening positivity were based on surveys of a subset of kit recipients and modelled using the Thembisa model. Cost-effectiveness of each distribution modality compared with the status-quo distribution configuration was estimated as cost per life year saved (estimated from life years lost due to AIDS) and optimised using a fractional factorial design. RESULTS The largest impact resulted from secondary HIVST distribution to partners of ART patients at PHC (life years saved (LYS): 119 000 (scenario A); 393 000 (scenario B)). However, it was one of the least cost-effective modalities (A: $1394/LYS; B: $4162/LYS). Workplace distribution was cost-saving ($52-$76 million) and predicted to have a moderate epidemic impact (A: 40 000 LYS; B: 156 000 LYS). An optimised scale-up to 6.7 million tests would result in an almost threefold increase in LYS compared with a scale-up of status-quo distribution (216 000 vs 75 000 LYS). CONCLUSION Optimisation-informed distribution has the potential to vastly improve the impact of HIVST. Using this approach, HIVST can play a key role in improving the long-term health impact of investment in HIVST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Jamieson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Leigh F Johnson
- Centre of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg-Braamfontein, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis, STI programmes, World Health Organization, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Thato Chidarikire
- HIV Prevention Programmes, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Brooke Nichols
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand School of Clinical Medicine, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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29
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Mangenah C, Mavhu W, Garcia DC, Gavi C, Mleya P, Chiwawa P, Chidawanyika S, Ncube G, Xaba S, Mugurungi O, Taruberekera N, Madidi N, Fielding KL, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Cowan FM, Bautista-Arredondo S. Relative efficiency of demand creation strategies to increase voluntary medical male circumcision uptake: a study conducted as part of a randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-004983. [PMID: 34275870 PMCID: PMC8287601 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-004983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Supply and demand-side factors continue to undermine voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) uptake. We assessed relative economic costs of four VMMC demand creation/service-delivery modalities as part of a randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe. METHODS Interpersonal communication agents were trained and incentivised to generate VMMC demand across five districts using four demand creation modalities (standard demand creation (SDC), demand creation plus offer of HIV self-testing (HIVST), human-centred design (HCD)-informed approach, HCD-informed demand creation approach plus offer of HIVST). Annual provider financial expenditure analysis and activity-based-costing including time-and-motion analysis across 15 purposively selected sites accounted for financial expenditures and donated inputs from other programmes and funders. Sites represented three models of VMMC service-delivery: static (fixed) model offering VMMC continuously to walk-in clients at district hospitals and serving as a district hub for integrated mobile and outreach services, (2) integrated (mobile) modelwhere staff move from the district static (fixed) site with their commodities to supplement existing services or to recently capacitated health facilities, intermittently and (3) mobile/outreach model offering VMMC through mobile clinic services in more remote sites. RESULTS Total programme cost was $752 585 including VMMC service-delivery costs and average cost per client reached and cost per circumcision were $58 and $174, respectively. Highest costs per client reached were in the HCD arm-$68 and lowest costs in standard demand creation ($52) and HIVST ($55) arms, respectively. Highest cost per client circumcised was observed in the arm where HIVST and HCD were combined ($226) and the lowest in the HCD alone arm ($160). Across the three VMMC service-delivery models, unit cost was lowest in static (fixed) model ($54) and highest in integrated mobile model ($63). Overall, economies of scale were evident with unit costs lower in sites with higher numbers of clients reached and circumcised. CONCLUSIONS There was high variability in unit costs across arms and sites suggesting opportunities for cost reductions. Highest costs were observed in the HCD+HIVST arm when combined with an integrated service-delivery setting. Mobilisation programmes that intensively target higher conversion rates as exhibited in the SDC and HCD arms provide greater scope for efficiency by spreading costs. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201804003064160.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe .,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Webster Mavhu
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Diego Cerecero Garcia
- Division of Health Economics and Health Systems Innovations, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - Chiedza Gavi
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Polite Mleya
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Progress Chiwawa
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Faculty of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sergio Bautista-Arredondo
- Division of Health Economics and Health Systems Innovations, Instituto Nacional de Salud Publica, Cuernavaca, Mexico
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30
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Matsimela K, Sande LA, Mostert C, Majam M, Phiri J, Zishiri V, Madondo C, Khama S, Chidarikire T, d'Elbée M, Hatzold K, Johnson C, Terris-Prestholt F, Meyer-Rath G. The cost and intermediary cost-effectiveness of oral HIV self-test kit distribution across 11 distribution models in South Africa. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005019. [PMID: 34275873 PMCID: PMC8287621 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/17/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Countries around the world seek innovative ways of closing their remaining gaps towards the target of 95% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) knowing their status by 2030. Offering kits allowing HIV self-testing (HIVST) in private might help close these gaps. METHODS We analysed the cost, use and linkage to onward care of 11 HIVST kit distribution models alongside the Self-Testing AfRica Initiative's distribution of 2.2 million HIVST kits in South Africa in 2018/2019. Outcomes were based on telephonic surveys of 4% of recipients; costs on a combination of micro-costing, time-and-motion and expenditure analysis. Costs were calculated from the provider perspective in 2019 US$, as incremental costs in integrated and full costs in standalone models. RESULTS HIV positivity among kit recipients was 4%-23%, with most models achieving 5%-6%. Linkage to confirmatory testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation for those screening positive was 19%-78% and 2%-72% across models. Average costs per HIVST kit distributed varied between $4.87 (sex worker model) and $18.07 (mobile integration model), with differences largely driven by kit volumes. HIVST kit costs (at $2.88 per kit) and personnel costs were the largest cost items throughout. Average costs per outcome increased along the care cascade, with the sex worker network model being the most cost-effective model across metrics used (cost per kit distributed/recipient screening positive/confirmed positive/initiating ART). Cost per person confirmed positive for HIVST was higher than standard HIV testing. CONCLUSION HIV self-test distribution models in South Africa varied widely along four characteristics: distribution volume, HIV positivity, linkage to care and cost. Volume was highest in models that targeted public spaces with high footfall (flexible community, fixed point and transport hub distribution), followed by workplace models. Transport hub, workplace and sex worker models distributed kits in the least costly way. Distribution via index cases at facility as well as sex worker network distribution identified the highest number of PLHIV at lowest cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katleho Matsimela
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE1RO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK,Department of HIV/AIDS and TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Cyprian Mostert
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jane Phiri
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vincent Zishiri
- Ezintsha, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Stephen Khama
- Society for Family Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thato Chidarikire
- HIV Prevention Programmes, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK,Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HERO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa .,Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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31
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are an estimated 38 million people with HIV (PWH), with significant economic consequences. We aimed to collate global lifetime costs for managing HIV. DESIGN We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42020184490) using five databases from 1999 to 2019. METHODS Studies were included if they reported primary data on lifetime costs for PWH. Two reviewers independently assessed the titles and abstracts, and data were extracted from full texts: lifetime cost, year of currency, country of currency, discount rate, time horizon, perspective, method used to estimate cost and cost items included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the discounted lifetime costs [2019 United States dollars (USD)]. RESULTS Of the 505 studies found, 260 full texts were examined and 75 included. Fifty (67%) studies were from high-income, 22 (29%) from middle-income and three (4%) from low-income countries. Of the 65 studies, which reported study perspective, 45 (69%) were healthcare provider and the remainder were societal. The median lifetime costs for managing HIV differed according to: country income level: $5221 [interquartile range (IQR)]: 2978-11 177) for low-income to $377 820 (IQR: 260 176-541 430) for high-income; study perspective: $189 230 (IQR: 14 794-424 069) for healthcare provider, to $508 804 (IQR: 174 781-812 418) for societal; and decision model: $190 255 (IQR: 13 588-429 772) for Markov cohort, to $283 905 (IQR: 10 558-453 779) for microsimulation models. CONCLUSION Estimating the lifetime costs of managing HIV is useful for budgetary planning and to ensure HIV management is affordable for all. Furthermore, HIV prevention strategies need to be strengthened to avert these high costs of managing HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huynh Tran
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred
| | | | - Megumi Lim
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred
| | | | - Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, The Alfred
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England, United Kingdom
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Shahmanesh M, Mthiyane TN, Herbsst C, Neuman M, Adeagbo O, Mee P, Chimbindi N, Smit T, Okesola N, Harling G, McGrath N, Sherr L, Seeley J, Subedar H, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Cowan FM, Corbett EL. Effect of peer-distributed HIV self-test kits on demand for biomedical HIV prevention in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a three-armed cluster-randomised trial comparing social networks versus direct delivery. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e004574. [PMID: 34315730 PMCID: PMC8317107 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We investigated two peer distribution models of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in HIV prevention demand creation compared with trained young community members (peer navigators). METHODS We used restricted randomisation to allocate 24 peer navigator pairs (clusters) in KwaZulu-Natal 1:1:1: (1) standard of care (SOC): peer navigators distributed clinic referrals, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) information to 18-30 year olds. (2) peer navigator direct distribution (PND): Peer navigators distributed HIVST packs (SOC plus two OraQuick HIVST kits) (3) incentivised peer networks (IPN): peer navigators recruited young community members (seeds) to distribute up to five HIVST packs to 18-30 year olds within their social networks. Seeds received 20 Rand (US$1.5) for each recipient who distributed further packs. The primary outcome was PrEP/ART linkage, defined as screening for PrEP/ART eligibility within 90 days of pack distribution per peer navigator month (pnm) of outreach, in women aged 18-24 (a priority for HIV prevention). Investigators and statisticians were blinded to allocation. Analysis was intention to treat. Total and unit costs were collected prospectively. RESULTS Between March and December 2019, 4163 packs (1098 SOC, 1480 PND, 1585 IPN) were distributed across 24 clusters. During 144 pnm, 272 18-30 year olds linked to PrEP/ART (1.9/pnm). Linkage rates for 18-24-year-old women were lower for IPN (n=26, 0.54/pnm) than PND (n=45, 0.80/pnm; SOC n=49, 0.85/pnm). Rate ratios were 0.68 (95% CI 0.28 to 1.66) for IPN versus PND, 0.64 (95% CI 0.26 to 1.62) for IPN versus SOC and 0.95 (95% CI 0.38 to 2.36) for PND versus SOC. In 18-30 year olds, PND had significantly more linkages than IPN (2.11 vs 0.88/pnm, RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.98). Cost per pack distributed was cheapest for IPN (US$36) c.f. SOC (US$64). Cost per person linked to PrEP/ART was cheaper in both peer navigator arms compared with IPN. DISCUSSION HIVST did not increase demand for PrEP/ART. Incentivised social network distribution reached large numbers with HIVST but resulted in fewer linkages compared with PrEP/ART promotion by peer navigators. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03751826.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shahmanesh
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Carina Herbsst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, London, UK
| | - Oluwafemi Adeagbo
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Paul Mee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London, London, UK
| | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Theresa Smit
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Guy Harling
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Nuala McGrath
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
- Faculty of medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Lorraine Sherr
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health &Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hasina Subedar
- South African National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, London, UK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
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Indravudh PP, Fielding K, Sande LA, Maheswaran H, Mphande S, Kumwenda MK, Chilongosi R, Nyirenda R, Johnson CC, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Terris-Prestholt F. Pragmatic economic evaluation of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing in Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e004593. [PMID: 34275869 PMCID: PMC8287609 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004593] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Community-based strategies can extend coverage of HIV testing and diagnose HIV at earlier stages of infection but can be costly to implement. We evaluated the costs and effects of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in Mangochi District, Malawi. METHODS This economic evaluation was based within a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial of 30 group village heads and their catchment areas comparing the community-led HIVST intervention in addition to the standard of care (SOC) versus the SOC alone. The intervention involved mobilising community health groups to lead 7-day HIVST campaigns including distribution of HIVST kits. The SOC included facility-based HIV testing services. Primary costings estimated economic costs of the intervention and SOC from the provider perspective, with costs annualised and measured in 2018 US$. A postintervention survey captured individual-level data on HIV testing events, which were combined with unit costs from primary costings, and outcomes. The incremental cost per person tested HIV-positive and associated uncertainty were estimated. RESULTS Overall, the community-led HIVST intervention costed $138 624 or $5.70 per HIVST kit distributed, with test kits and personnel the main contributing costs. The SOC costed $263 400 or $4.57 per person tested. Individual-level provider costs were higher in the community-led HIVST arm than the SOC arm (adjusted mean difference $3.77, 95% CI $2.44 to $5.10; p<0.001), while the intervention effect on HIV positivity varied based on adjustment for previous diagnosis. The incremental cost per person tested HIV positive was $324 but increased to $1312 and $985 when adjusting for previously diagnosed self-testers or self-testers on treatment, respectively. Community-led HIVST demonstrated low probability of being cost-effective against plausible willingness-to-pay values, with HIV positivity a key determinant. CONCLUSION Community-led HIVST can provide HIV testing at a low additional unit cost. However, adding community-led HIVST to the SOC was not likely to be cost-effective, especially in contexts with low prevalence of undiagnosed HIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03541382.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Linda A Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Saviour Mphande
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Moses K Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Rose Nyirenda
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sibanda EL, Neuman M, Tumushime M, Mangenah C, Hatzold K, Watadzaushe C, Mutseta MN, Dirawo J, Napierala S, Ncube G, Terris-Prestholt F, Taegtmeyer M, Johnson C, Fielding KL, Weiss HA, Corbett E, Cowan FM. Community-based HIV self-testing: a cluster-randomised trial of supply-side financial incentives and time-trend analysis of linkage to antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e003866. [PMID: 34275865 PMCID: PMC8287602 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) requires linkage to post-test services to maximise its benefits. We evaluated effect of supply-side incentivisation on linkage following community-based HIVST and evaluated time-trends in facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiations. METHODS From August 2016 to August 2017 community-based distributors (CBDs) in 38 rural Zimbabwean communities distributed HIVST door-to-door in 19-25 day campaigns. Communities were allocated (1:1) using constrained randomisation to either one-off US$50 remuneration per CBD (non-incentive arm), or US$50 plus US$0.20 incentive per client visiting mobile-outreach services (conditional-incentive arm). The primary outcome, assessed by population survey 6 weeks later, was self-reported uptake of any clinic service, analysed with random-effects logistic regression. Separately, non-randomised difference-in-differences in monthly ART initiations were analysed for three time periods (6 months baseline; HIVST campaign; 3 months after) at public clinics with (40 clinics) and without (124 clinics) HIVST distribution in catchment area. FINDINGS A total of 445 conditional-incentive CBDs distributed 39 205 HIVST kits (mean/CBD: 88; 95% CI: 85 to 92) and 447 non-incentive CBDs distributed 41 173 kits (mean/CBD: 93; 95% CI: 89 to 96). Survey participation was 7146/8566 (83.4%), with 3593 (50.3%) reporting self-testing including 1305 (18.3%) previously untested individuals. Use of clinic services post-HIVST was similar in conditional-incentive (1062/3698, 28.7%) and non-incentive (1075/3448, 31.2%) arms (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.03). Confirmatory testing by newly diagnosed/untreated HIVST+clients was, however, higher (conditional-incentive: 25/33, 75.8% vs non-incentive: 20/40, 50.0%: aRR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.39). In total, 12 808 ART initiations occurred, with no baseline or postcampaign differences between initiation rates in HIVST versus non-HIVST clinics, but initiation rates increased from 7.31 to 9.59 initiations per month in HIVST clinics during distribution, aRR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.39. CONCLUSIONS Community-based HIVST campaigns achieved high testing uptake, temporally associated with increased demand for ART. Small supply-side incentives did not affect general clinic usage but may have increased confirmatory testing for newly diagnosed HIVST positive participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201607001701788.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- HIV and Tuberculosis, Population Services International Global, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Miriam N Mutseta
- Department of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Innovations, Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Sue Napierala
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Getrude Ncube
- HIV and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Frances M Cowan
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Sande LA, Matsimela K, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Choko AT, d'Elbée M, Majam M, Mostert C, Matamwandi I, Sibanda EL, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Ayles H, Cowan FM, Corbett EL, Neuman M, Maheswaran H, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of integrating HIV self-testing in public health facilities in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005191. [PMID: 34275874 PMCID: PMC8287606 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005191] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As countries approach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, there is a need for innovative and cost-saving HIV testing approaches that can increase testing coverage in hard-to-reach populations. The HIV Self-Testing Africa-Initiative distributed HIV self-test (HIVST) kits using unincentivised HIV testing counsellors across 31 public facilities in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. HIVST was distributed either through secondary (partner's use) distribution alone or primary (own use) and secondary distribution approaches. METHODS We evaluated the costs of adding HIVST to existing HIV testing from the providers' perspective in the 31 public health facilities across the four countries between 2018 and 2019. We combined expenditure analysis and bottom-up costing approaches. We also carried out time-and-motion studies on the counsellors to estimate the human resource costs of introducing and demonstrating how to use HIVST for primary and secondary use. RESULTS A total of 41 720 kits were distributed during the analysis period, ranging from 1254 in Zimbabwe to 27 678 in Zambia. The cost per kit distributed through the primary distribution approach was $4.27 in Zambia and $9.24 in Zimbabwe. The cost per kit distributed through the secondary distribution approach ranged from $6.46 in Zambia to $13.42 in South Africa, with a wider variation in the average cost at facility-level. From the time-and-motion observations, the counsellors spent between 20% and 44% of the observed workday on HIVST. Overall, personnel and test kit costs were the main cost drivers. CONCLUSION The average costs of distributing HIVST kits were comparable across the four countries in our analysis despite wide cost variability within countries. We recommend context-specific exploration of potential efficiency gains from these facility-level cost variations and demand creation activities to ensure continued affordability at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Alinafe Sande
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Public Health Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Augustine Talumba Choko
- Public Health Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mohammed Majam
- University of the Witwatersrand, Ezintsha, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cyprian Mostert
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health & Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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d'Elbée M, Gomez GB, Sande LA, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Johnson C, Medley GF, Neuman M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Modelling costs of community-based HIV self-testing programmes in Southern Africa at scale: an econometric cost function analysis across five countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005554. [PMID: 34275875 PMCID: PMC8287624 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005554] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following success demonstrated with the HIV Self-Testing AfRica Initiative, HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being added to national HIV testing strategies in Southern Africa. An analysis of the costs of scaling up HIVST is needed to inform national plans, but there is a dearth of evidence on methods for forecasting costs at scale from pilot projects. Econometric cost functions (ECFs) apply statistical inference to predict costs; however, we often do not have the luxury of collecting large amounts of location-specific data. We fit an ECF to identify key drivers of costs, then use a simpler model to guide cost projections at scale. METHODS We estimated the full economic costs of community-based HIVST distribution in 92 locales across Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho between June 2016 and June 2019. We fitted a cost function with determinants related to scale, locales organisational and environmental characteristics, target populations, and per capita Growth Domestic Product (GDP). We used models differing in data intensity to predict costs at scale. We compared predicted estimates with scale-up costs in Lesotho observed over a 2-year period. RESULTS The scale of distribution, type of community-based intervention, percentage of kits distributed to men, distance from implementer's warehouse and per capita GDP predicted average costs per HIVST kit distributed. Our model simplification approach showed that a parsimonious model could predict costs without losing accuracy. Overall, ECF showed a good predictive capacity, that is, forecast costs were close to observed costs. However, at larger scale, variations of programme efficiency over time (number of kits distributed per agent monthly) could potentially influence cost predictions. DISCUSSION Our empirical cost function can inform community-based HIVST scale-up in Southern African countries. Our findings suggest that a parsimonious ECF can be used to forecast costs at scale in the context of financial planning and budgeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Department of Health Economics, Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Graham F Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Global Health & Development, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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Sibanda EL, Mangenah C, Neuman M, Tumushime M, Watadzaushe C, Mutseta MN, Maringwa G, Dirawo J, Fielding KL, Johnson C, Ncube G, Taegtmeyer M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Terris-Prestholt F, Cowan FM. Comparison of community-led distribution of HIV self-tests kits with distribution by paid distributors: a cluster randomised trial in rural Zimbabwean communities. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005000. [PMID: 34275872 PMCID: PMC8287604 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005000] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We compared community-led versus an established community-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) model in rural Zimbabwe using a cluster-randomised trial. METHODS Forty village groups were randomised 1:1 using restricted randomisation to community-led HIVST, where communities planned and implemented HIVST distribution for 4 weeks, or paid distribution (PD), where distributors were paid US$50 to distribute kits door-to-door over 4 weeks. Individual level primary outcomes compared household survey responses by arm 4 months post-intervention for: (1) newly diagnosed HIV during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution, (2) linkage to confirmatory testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis or voluntary medical male circumcision during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution. Participants were not masked to allocation; analysis used masked data. Trial analysis used random-effects logistic regression.Distribution costs compared: (1) community-led HIVST, (2) PD HIVST and (3) PD costs when first implemented in 2016/2017. RESULTS From October 2018 to August 2019, 27 812 and 36 699 HIVST kits were distributed in community-led and PD communities, respectively. We surveyed 11 150 participants and 5683 were in community-led arm. New HIV diagnosis was reported by 211 (3.7%) community-led versus 197 (3.6%) PD arm participants, adjusted OR (aOR) 1.1 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.56); 318 (25.9%) community-led arm participants linked to post-test services versus 361 (23.9%) in PD arm, aOR 1.1 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.49.Cost per HIVST kit distributed was US$6.29 and US$10.25 for PD and community-led HIVST, both lower than 2016/2017 costs for newly implemented PD (US$14.52). No social harms were reported. CONCLUSIONS Community-led HIVST can perform as well as paid distribution, with lower costs in the first year. These costs may reduce with programme maturity/learning. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201811849455568.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Miriam N Mutseta
- Department of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Innovations, Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Getrude Ncube
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health & Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Frances M Cowan
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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d'Elbée M, Traore MM, Badiane K, Vautier A, Simo Fotso A, Kabemba OK, Rouveau N, Godfrey-Faussett P, Maheu-Giroux M, Boily MC, Medley GF, Larmarange J, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs and Scale-Up Costs of Integrating HIV Self-Testing Into Civil Society Organisation-Led Programmes for Key Populations in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali. Front Public Health 2021; 9:653612. [PMID: 34109146 PMCID: PMC8182047 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.653612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant progress on the proportion of individuals who know their HIV status in 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (76%), Senegal (78%), and Mali (48%) remain far below, and key populations (KP) including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and people who use drugs (PWUD) are the most vulnerable groups with a HIV prevalence at 5-30%. HIV self-testing (HIVST), a process where a person collects his/her own specimen, performs a test, and interprets the result, was introduced in 2019 as a new testing modality through the ATLAS project coordinated by the international partner organisation Solthis (IPO). We estimate the costs of implementing HIVST through 23 civil society organisations (CSO)-led models for KP in Côte d'Ivoire (N = 7), Senegal (N = 11), and Mali (N = 5). We modelled costs for programme transition (2021) and early scale-up (2022-2023). Between July 2019 and September 2020, a total of 51,028, 14,472, and 34,353 HIVST kits were distributed in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali, respectively. Across countries, 64-80% of HIVST kits were distributed to FSW, 20-31% to MSM, and 5-8% to PWUD. Average costs per HIVST kit distributed were $15 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $13, Senegal: $17, Mali: $16), $23 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $15, Senegal: $27, Mali: $28), and $80 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $16, Senegal: $144), driven by personnel costs (47-78% of total costs), and HIVST kits costs (2-20%). Average costs at scale-up were $11 for FSW (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $13, Mali: $10), $16 for MSM (Côte d'Ivoire: $9, Senegal: $23, Mali: $17), and $32 for PWUD (Côte d'Ivoire: $14, Senegal: $50). Cost reductions were mainly explained by the spreading of IPO costs over higher HIVST distribution volumes and progressive IPO withdrawal at scale-up. In all countries, CSO-led HIVST kit provision to KP showed relatively high costs during the study period related to the progressive integration of the programme to CSO activities and contextual challenges (COVID-19 pandemic, country safety concerns). In transition to scale-up and integration of the HIVST programme into CSO activities, this model shows large potential for substantial economies of scale. Further research will assess the overall cost-effectiveness of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | | | - Nicolas Rouveau
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Peter Godfrey-Faussett
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Francis Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Centre Population et Développement (Ceped UMR 196), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Université de Paris, Inserm (ERL 1244), Paris, France
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneva, Switzerland
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Ong JJ, Nwaozuru U, Obiezu-Umeh C, Airhihenbuwa C, Xian H, Terris-Prestholt F, Gbajabiamila T, Musa AZ, Oladele D, Idigbe I, David A, Okwuzu J, Bamidele T, Iwelunmor J, Tucker JD, Ezechi O. Designing HIV Testing and Self-Testing Services for Young People in Nigeria: A Discrete Choice Experiment. Patient 2021; 14:815-826. [PMID: 33942248 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-021-00522-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE A third of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections occur among young people and the majority of young people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the strength of Nigerian youth preferences related to HIV testing and HIV self-testing (HIVST). METHODS Discrete choice experiments were conducted among Nigerian youth (age 14-24 years). Participants completed one of two discrete choice experiments: (1) preferred qualities of HIV testing (cost, location of test, type of test, person who conducts the test, and availability of HIV medicine at the testing site) and (2) preferred qualities of HIVST kits (cost, test quality, type of test, extra items, and support if tested positive). A random parameter logit model measured the strength of preferences. RESULTS A total of 504 youth participated: mean age 21 years (standard deviation 2 years), 38% male, and 35% had a higher than secondary school education. There was a strong preference overall to test given the scenarios presented, although male individuals were less likely to test for HIV or use HIVST kits. Youth preferred HIV testing services (with attributes in order of importance) that are free, blood-based testing, available in private/public hospitals or home, for HIV medications to be available in the same location as testing, and a doctor conducts the test. Participants preferred HIVST kits (with attributes in order of importance) that are available from community health centers, free, approved by the World Health Organization, include other sexually transmitted infection testing, have the option of an online chat, and oral-based HIVST. CONCLUSIONS The HIV home testing was equally preferred to testing in a hospital, suggesting a viable market for HIVST if kits account for youth preferences. Male youth were less likely to choose to test for HIV or use HIVST kits, underscoring the need for further efforts to encourage HIV testing among young male individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Ong
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3053, Australia. .,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. .,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Ucheoma Nwaozuru
- Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chisom Obiezu-Umeh
- Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Hong Xian
- Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | - Adesola Z Musa
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - David Oladele
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Ifeoma Idigbe
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Agatha David
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Jane Okwuzu
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Juliet Iwelunmor
- Saint Louis University College for Public Health and Social Justice, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Oliver Ezechi
- The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
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Indravudh PP, Fielding K, Kumwenda MK, Nzawa R, Chilongosi R, Desmond N, Nyirenda R, Neuman M, Johnson CC, Baggaley R, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Corbett EL. Effect of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing on HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation in Malawi: A cluster-randomised trial. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003608. [PMID: 33974621 PMCID: PMC8112698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Undiagnosed HIV infection remains substantial in key population subgroups including adolescents, older adults, and men, driving ongoing transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the impact, safety, and costs of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing (HIVST), aiming to increase HIV testing in underserved subgroups and stimulate demand for antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS AND FINDINGS This cluster-randomised trial, conducted between October 2018 and July 2019, used restricted randomisation (1:1) to allocate 30 group village head clusters in Mangochi district, Malawi to the community-led HIVST intervention in addition to the standard of care (SOC) or the SOC alone. The intervention involved mobilising community health groups to lead the design and implementation of 7-day HIVST campaigns, with cluster residents (≥15 years) eligible for HIVST. The primary outcome compared lifetime HIV testing among adolescents (15 to 19 years) between arms. Secondary outcomes compared: recent HIV testing (in the last 3 months) among older adults (≥40 years) and men; cumulative 6-month incidence of ART initiation per 100,000 population; knowledge of the preventive benefits of HIV treatment; and HIV testing stigma. Outcomes were measured through a post-intervention survey and at neighboring health facilities. Analysis used intention-to-treat for cluster-level outcomes. Community health groups delivered 24,316 oral fluid-based HIVST kits. The survey included 90.2% (3,960/4,388) of listed participants in the 15 community-led HIVST clusters and 89.2% (3,920/4,394) of listed participants in the 15 SOC clusters. Overall, the proportion of men was 39.0% (3,072/7,880). Most participants obtained primary-level education or below, were married, and reported a sexual partner. Lifetime HIV testing among adolescents was higher in the community-led HIVST arm (84.6%, 770/910) than the SOC arm (67.1%, 582/867; adjusted risk difference [RD] 15.2%, 95% CI 7.5% to 22.9%; p < 0.001), especially among 15 to 17 year olds and boys. Recent testing among older adults was also higher in the community-led HIVST arm (74.5%, 869/1,166) than the SOC arm (31.5%, 350/1,111; adjusted RD 42.1%, 95% CI 34.9% to 49.4%; p < 0.001). Similarly, the proportions of recently tested men were 74.6% (1,177/1,577) and 33.9% (507/1,495) in the community-led HIVST and SOC arms, respectively (adjusted RD 40.2%, 95% CI 32.9% to 47.4%; p < 0.001). Knowledge of HIV treatment benefits and HIV testing stigma showed no differences between arms. Cumulative incidence of ART initiation was respectively 305.3 and 226.1 per 100,000 population in the community-led HIVST and SOC arms (RD 72.3, 95% CI -36.2 to 180.8; p = 0.18). In post hoc analysis, ART initiations in the 3-month post-intervention period were higher in the community-led HIVST arm than the SOC arm (RD 97.7, 95% CI 33.4 to 162.1; p = 0.004). HIVST uptake was 74.7% (2,956/3,960), with few adverse events (0.6%, 18/2,955) and at US$5.70 per HIVST kit distributed. The main limitations include the use of self-reported HIV testing outcomes and lack of baseline measurement for the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that community-led HIVST was effective, safe, and affordable, with population impact and coverage rapidly realised at low cost. This approach could enable community HIV testing in high HIV prevalence settings and demonstrates potential for economies of scale and scope. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03541382.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P. Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Moses K. Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Rebecca Nzawa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rose Nyirenda
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Sri-Pathmanathan C, Nhamo D, Mamvuto T, Chapwanya G, Terris-Prestholt F, Mahaka I, Marks M, Tucker JD. Syphilis self-testing to expand test uptake among men who have sex with men: a theoretically informed mixed methods study in Zimbabwe. Sex Transm Infect 2021; 98:197-202. [PMID: 33927008 PMCID: PMC7612625 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Self-testing for STIs such as HIV and syphilis may empower sexual minorities and expand uptake of STI testing. While much is known about HIV self-testing (HIVST), less is known about syphilis self-testing, particularly in low-income settings. The objective of this study is to determine context-specific facilitators and barriers for self-testing and to assess the usability of syphilis self-testing in Zimbabwe among men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods This mixed methods study was conducted in Harare as part of a larger syphilis self-testing trial. The study included in-depth interviews (phase I) followed by usability testing and a second interview (phase II). In-depth interviews were conducted with MSM and key informants prior to syphilis self-testing. The same MSM then used the syphilis self-test, quantitatively assessed its usability and participated in a second in-depth interview. Phase I data were analysed using a thematic approach, guided by an adapted social ecological model conceptual framework. Phase II interviews were analysed using rapid assessment procedure methodology, and usability was assessed using a pre-established index, adapted from existing HIVST scales. Results Twenty MSM and 10 key informants were recruited for phase I in-depth interviews, and 16 of these MSM participated in phase II by completing a syphilis self-test kit. Facilitating factors for self-testing included the potential for increased privacy, convenience, autonomy, and avoidance of social and healthcare provider stigma. Barriers included the fear to test and uncertainty about linkage to care and treatment. Data from the Usability Index suggested high usability (89.6% on a 0–100 scale) among the men who received the self-test. Conclusions MSM in Zimbabwe were willing to use syphilis self-test kits and many of the barriers and facilitators were similar to those observed for HIVST. Syphilis self-testing may increase syphilis test uptake among sexual minorities in Zimbabwe and other low-income and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Sri-Pathmanathan
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Michael Marks
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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42
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DiSantostefano RL, Terris-Prestholt F. Using Societal Values to Inform Public Health Policy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Health Preference Research. Patient 2021; 14:303-307. [PMID: 33886102 PMCID: PMC8060338 DOI: 10.1007/s40271-021-00516-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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Johnson C, Kumwenda M, Meghji J, Choko AT, Phiri M, Hatzold K, Baggaley R, Taegtmeyer M, Terris-Prestholt F, Desmond N, Corbett EL. 'Too old to test?': A life course approach to HIV-related risk and self-testing among midlife-older adults in Malawi. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:650. [PMID: 33812381 PMCID: PMC8019342 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10573-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the aging HIV epidemic, increasing age can be associated with hesitancy to test. Addressing this gap is a critical policy concern and highlights the urgent need to identify the underlying factors, to improve knowledge of HIV-related risks as well as uptake of HIV testing and prevention services, in midlife-older adults. METHODS We conducted five focus group discussions and 12 in-depth interviews between April 2013 and November 2016 among rural and urban Malawian midlife-older (≥30 years) men and women. Using a life-course theoretical framework we explored how age is enacted socially and its implications on HIV testing and sexual risk behaviours. We also explore the potential for HIV self-testing (HIVST) to be part of a broader strategy for engaging midlife-older adults in HIV testing, prevention and care. Thematic analysis was used to identify recurrent themes and variations. RESULTS Midlife-older adults (30-74 years of age) associated their age with respectability and identified HIV as "a disease of youth" that would not affect them, with age protecting them against infidelity and sexual risk-taking. HIV testing was felt to be stigmatizing, challenging age norms, threatening social status, and implying "lack of wisdom". These norms drove self-testing preferences at home or other locations deemed age and gender appropriate. Awareness of the potential for long-standing undiagnosed HIV to be carried forward from past relationships was minimal, as was understanding of treatment-as-prevention. These norms led to HIV testing being perceived as a threat to status by older adults, contributing to low levels of recent HIV testing compared to younger adults. CONCLUSIONS Characteristics associated with age-gender norms and social position encourage self-testing but drive poor HIV-risk perception and unacceptability of conventional HIV testing in midlife-older adults. There is an urgent need to provide targeted messages and services more appropriate to midlife-older adults in sub-Saharan Africa. HIVST which has often been highlighted as a tool for reaching young people, may be a valuable tool for engaging midlife-older age groups who may not otherwise test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Johnson
- Global of HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, 20 Ave Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. .,Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi.,Helse Nord TB Initiative, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Jamilah Meghji
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Augustine T Choko
- Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global of HIV, Hepatitis and STIs Programmes, World Health Organization, 20 Ave Appia, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.,Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi.,Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research and Infectious Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
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Quaife M, Terris-Prestholt F, Mukandavire Z, Vickerman P. Modelling the effect of market forces on the impact of introducing human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis among female sex workers. Health Econ 2021; 30:659-679. [PMID: 33377250 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4211] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) enables female sex workers (FSWs) to protect themselves from HIV without relying on clients using condoms. Yet, because PrEP reduces HIV risk, financial incentives to not use condoms may lead to risk compensation: reductions in condom use and/or increases in commercial sex, and may reduce the price of unprotected sex. In this analysis, we integrate market forces into a dynamic HIV transmission model to assess how risk compensation could change the impact of PrEP among FSWs and clients. We parameterise how sexual behavior may change with PrEP use among FSWs using stated preference data combined with economic theory. Our projections suggest the impact of PrEP is sensitive to risk compensatory behaviors driven by changes in the economics of sex work. Condom substitution could reduce the impact of PrEP on HIV incidence by 55%, while increases in the frequency of commercial sex to counter decreases in the price charged for unprotected sex among PrEP users could entirely mitigate the impact of PrEP. Accounting for competition between PrEP users and nonusers exacerbates this further. Alternative scenarios where increases in unprotected sex among PrEP users are balanced by decreases in non-PrEP users have the opposite effect, resulting in PrEP having much greater impact. Intervention studies need to determine how HIV prevention products may change the economics of sex work and provision of unprotected sex to enable a better understanding of their impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Quaife
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zindoga Mukandavire
- School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Center for Data Science, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Ong JJ, Fu H, Baggaley RC, Wi TE, Tucker JD, Smith MK, Rafael S, Falconer J, Terris-Prestholt F, Mameletzis I, Mayaud P. Missed opportunities for sexually transmitted infections testing for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis users: a systematic review. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25673. [PMID: 33605081 PMCID: PMC7893146 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the synergistic relationship between HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI), the integration of services has the potential to reduce the incidence of both HIV and STIs. We explored the extent to which STI testing has been offered within HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes worldwide. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of PrEP programmes implementing STI testing services in nine databases. We approached PrEP implementers for additional unpublished data and implementation details. Descriptive statistics were used to present the characteristics of STI testing within PrEP programmes. Content analysis of the input from PrEP implementers was conducted to summarize the barriers to and facilitators of STI testing. RESULTS Of 9,161 citations, 91 studies conducted in 32 countries were included: 69% from high-income countries (HICs) and 64% from programmes targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) only. The majority of programmes (70%, 64/91) conducted STI testing before the initiation of PrEP. The most common STIs tested were gonorrhoea (86%, 78/91), chlamydia (84%, 76/91) and syphilis (84%, 76/91). The majority provided STI testing at three-month intervals (70%, 53/76, for syphilis; 70% 53/78, for chlamydia; 68%, 53/78, for gonorrhoea). Relative to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a higher proportion of PrEP programmes in HICs offered testing for gonorrhoea (92% vs. 71%, p < 0.05), chlamydia (92% vs. 64%, p < 0.01), syphilis (87% vs. 75%, p < 0.05), hepatitis A (18% vs. 4%, p < 0.05) and hepatitis C (43% vs. 21%, p < 0.05); offered testing for a higher number of STIs (mean 3.75 vs. 3.04, p < 0.05); and offered triple (throat, genital/urine and anorectal) anatomical site screening (54% vs. 18%, p < 0.001). Common implementation challenges included costs, access to STI diagnostics, programme logistics of integrating STI testing into PrEP delivery models and lack of capacity building for staff involved in PrEP provision. CONCLUSIONS Significant gaps and challenges remain in the provision of STI testing services within HIV PrEP programmes. We recommend more active integration of STI testing and management into PrEP programmes, supported by standardized practice guidelines, staff capacity building training and adequate funding. This could lead to improved sexual health and HIV outcomes in key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Ong
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Hongyun Fu
- Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph D Tucker
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Sabrina Rafael
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jane Falconer
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Marsh ES, Keddie S, Terris-Prestholt F, D'Sa S, Lunn MP. Early VEGF testing in inflammatory neuropathy avoids POEMS syndrome misdiagnosis and associated costs. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:172-176. [PMID: 33106368 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-324012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prompt diagnosis and early treatment prevents disability in Polyneuropathy Organomegaly Endocrinopathy Monoclonal-protein and Skin Changes (POEMS) syndrome. Delay in diagnosis is common with 55% of patients initially incorrectly diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Patients are often treated with intravenous immunoglobulin which is both expensive and ineffective in the treatment of POEMS. Testing patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy with serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) more accurately identifies POEMS syndrome than the current standard of care. Incorporating VEGF testing into screening could prevent misdiagnosis and reduce costs. METHODS We used observed treatment information for patients in the University College London Hospital's POEMS syndrome database (n=100) and from the National Immunoglobulin Database to estimate costs associated with incorrect CIDP diagnoses across our cohort. We conducted a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis to compare the current diagnostic algorithm with an alternative which includes VEGF testing for all patients with an acquired demyelinating neuropathy. RESULTS Treatment associated with an incorrect CIDP diagnosis led to total wasted healthcare expenditures of between £808 550 and £1 111 756 across our cohort, with an average cost-per-POEMS-patient misdiagnosed of £14 701 to £20 214. Introducing mandatory VEGF testing for patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy would lead to annual cost-savings of £107 398 for the National Health Service and could prevent misdiagnosis in 16 cases per annum. CONCLUSIONS Misdiagnosis in POEMS syndrome results in diagnostic delay, disease progression and significant healthcare costs. Introducing mandatory VEGF testing for patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy is a cost-effective strategy allowing for early POEMS diagnosis and potentially enabling prompt disease-directed therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor S Marsh
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Stephen Keddie
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Shirley D'Sa
- Cancer Division, University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Michael P Lunn
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Dial NJ, Medley GF, Croft SL, Mahapatra T, Priyamvada K, Sinha B, Palmer L, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs and outcomes of active and passive case detection for visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) to inform elimination strategies in Bihar, India. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009129. [PMID: 33534836 PMCID: PMC7886142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009129] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Effective case identification strategies are fundamental to capturing the remaining visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases in India. To inform government strategies to reach and sustain elimination benchmarks, this study presents costs of active- and passive- case detection (ACD and PCD) strategies used in India's most VL-endemic state, Bihar, with a focus on programme outcomes stratified by district-level incidence. METHODS Expenditure analysis was complemented by onsite micro-costing to compare the cost of PCD in hospitals alongside index case-based ACD and a combination of blanket (house-to-house) and camp ACD from January to December 2018. From the provider's perspective, a cost analysis evaluated the overall programme cost of each activity, the cost per case detected, and the cost of scaling up ACD. RESULTS During 2018, index case-based ACD, blanket and camp ACD, and PCD reported 1,497, 131, and 1,983 VL-positive cases at a unit cost of $522.81, $4,186.81, and $246.79, respectively. In high endemic districts, more VL cases were identified through PCD while in meso- and low-endemic districts more cases were identified through ACD. The cost of scaling up ACD to identify 3,000 additional cases ranged from $1.6-4 million, depending on the extent to which blanket and camp ACD was relied upon. CONCLUSION Cost per VL test conducted (rather than VL-positive case identified) may be a better metric estimating unit costs to scale up ACD in Bihar. As more VL cases were identified in meso-and low-endemic districts through ACD than PCD, health authorities in India should consider bolstering ACD in these areas. Blanket and camp ACD identified fewer cases at a higher unit cost than index case-based ACD. However, the value of detecting additional VL cases early outweighs long-term costs for reaching and sustaining VL elimination benchmarks in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J. Dial
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Graham F. Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon L. Croft
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tanmay Mahapatra
- CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development, Patna, Bihar, India
| | | | - Bikas Sinha
- CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development, Patna, Bihar, India
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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48
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Rouveau N, Ky-Zerbo O, Boye S, Fotso AS, d'Elbée M, Maheu-Giroux M, Silhol R, Kouassi AK, Vautier A, Doumenc-Aïdara C, Breton G, Keita A, Ehui E, Ndour CT, Boilly MC, Terris-Prestholt F, Pourette D, Desclaux A, Larmarange J. Describing, analysing and understanding the effects of the introduction of HIV self-testing in West Africa through the ATLAS programme in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:181. [PMID: 33478470 PMCID: PMC7818756 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10212-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ATLAS programme aims to promote and implement HIV self-testing (HIVST) in three West African countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Senegal. During 2019-2021, in close collaboration with the national AIDS implementing partners and communities, ATLAS plans to distribute 500,000 HIVST kits through eight delivery channels, combining facility-based, community-based strategies, primary and secondary distribution of HIVST. Considering the characteristics of West African HIV epidemics, the targets of the ATLAS programme are hard-to-reach populations: key populations (female sex workers, men who have sex with men, and drug users), their clients or sexual partners, partners of people living with HIV and patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections and their partners. The ATLAS programme includes research support implementation to generate evidence for HIVST scale-up in West Africa. The main objective is to describe, analyse and understand the social, health, epidemiological effects and cost-effectiveness of HIVST introduction in Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Senegal to improve the overall HIV testing strategy (accessibility, efficacy, ethics). METHODS ATLAS research is organised into five multidisciplinary workpackages (WPs): Key Populations WP: qualitative surveys (individual in-depth interviews, focus group discussions) conducted with key actors, key populations, and HIVST users. Index testing WP: ethnographic observation of three HIV care services introducing HIVST for partner testing. Coupons survey WP: an anonymous telephone survey of HIVST users. Cost study WP: incremental economic cost analysis of each delivery model using a top-down costing with programmatic data, complemented by a bottom-up costing of a representative sample of HIVST distribution sites, and a time-motion study for health professionals providing HIVST. Modelling WP: Adaptation, parameterisation and calibration of a dynamic compartmental model that considers the varied populations targeted by the ATLAS programme and the different testing modalities and strategies. DISCUSSION ATLAS is the first comprehensive study on HIV self-testing in West Africa. The ATLAS programme focuses particularly on the secondary distribution of HIVST. This protocol was approved by three national ethic committees and the WHO's Ethical Research Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rouveau
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France.
| | - Odette Ky-Zerbo
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Transvihmi (UMI 233 IRD, 1175 INSERM, Montpellier University), Montpellier, France
| | - Sokhna Boye
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Arlette Simo Fotso
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mathieu Maheu-Giroux
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, H3A 1A2, Canada
| | - Romain Silhol
- Analysis Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Arsène Kra Kouassi
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Abdelaye Keita
- Institut National de Recherche en Santé Publique (INRSP), Bamako, Mali
| | - Eboi Ehui
- Programme National de Lutte contre le Sida, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Cheikh Tidiane Ndour
- Division de Lutte contre le Sida et les IST, Ministère de la Santé et de l'Action sociale, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Marie-Claude Boilly
- Analysis Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Dolorès Pourette
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Alice Desclaux
- Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Transvihmi (UMI 233 IRD, 1175 INSERM, Montpellier University), Montpellier, France.,CRCF, Dakar, Sénégal
| | - Joseph Larmarange
- Ceped (Centre Population & Développement UMR 196), IRD, Université de Paris, Inserm, Paris, France
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Dietrich JJ, Atujuna M, Tshabalala G, Hornschuh S, Mulaudzi M, Koh M, Ahmed N, Muhumuza R, Ssemata AS, Otwombe K, Bekker LG, Seeley J, Martinson NA, Terris-Prestholt F, Fox J. A qualitative study to identify critical attributes and attribute-levels for a discrete choice experiment on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery among young people in Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:17. [PMID: 33407395 PMCID: PMC7788832 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05942-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The uptake and adherence of daily oral PrEP has been poor in high-risk populations in South Africa including young people. We used qualitative research methods to explore user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP use among young South Africans, and to inform the identification of critical attributes and attribute-levels for quantitative analysis of user preferences, i.e. a discrete choice experiment (DCE). METHODS Data were collected between September and November 2018 from eight group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews with young people 13 to 24 years in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Using a convenience sampling strategy, participants were stratified by sex and age. Interviewers used a semi-structured interview guide to discuss several attributes (dosing regimen, location, costs, side effects, and protection period) for PrEP access and use. Group discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. We used framework analysis to explore context-specific attributes and attribute-levels for delivering oral PrEP in South Africa. The adolescent community advisory board, expert and study team opinions were consulted for the final DCE attributes and levels. RESULTS We enrolled 74 participants who were 51% (n = 38/74) male, had a median age of 18.5 [Interquartile range = 16-21.25] years, 91% (n = 67/74) identified as heterosexual and 49% (n = 36/74) had not completed 12th grade education. Using the qualitative data, we identified five candidate attributes including (1) dosing regimen, (2) location to get PrEP, (3) cost, (4) route of administration and (5) frequency. After discussions with experts and the study team, we revised the DCE to include the following five attributes and levels: dosing regime: daily, and on-demand PrEP; location: private pharmacy, public clinic, mobile clinic, ATM); cost: free-of-charge, R50 (~2GBP), R265 (~12GBP); side effects: nausea, headache, rash; and duration of protection: fulltime protection versus when PrEP is used). CONCLUSIONS There is limited literature on qualitative research methods describing the step-by-step process of developing a DCE for PrEP in adolescents, especially in resource-constrained countries. We provide the process followed for the DCE technique to understand user preferences for daily and on-demand oral PrEP among young people in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janan J Dietrich
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. .,Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Bellville, South Africa.
| | - Millicent Atujuna
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gugulethu Tshabalala
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stefanie Hornschuh
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mamakiri Mulaudzi
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michelle Koh
- Harvard Global Health Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nadia Ahmed
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Mortimer Market Centre, Central North West London NHS Trust, Off Caper Street, London, WC1E 6 JB, UK
| | - Richard Muhumuza
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute , Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Andrew S Ssemata
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute , Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Kennedy Otwombe
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute , Entebbe, Uganda.,Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Neil A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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50
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Sharma M, Ong JJ, Celum C, Terris-Prestholt F. Heterogeneity in individual preferences for HIV testing: A systematic literature review of discrete choice experiments. EClinicalMedicine 2020; 29-30:100653. [PMID: 33305199 PMCID: PMC7710637 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding variations in HIV testing preferences can help inform optimal combinations of testing services to maximize coverage. We conducted a systematic review of Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) eliciting HIV testing preference. METHODS We searched the published literature for papers that conducted DCEs to assess user preferences for HIV testing. FINDINGS We identified 237 publications; 14 studies conducted in 10 countries met inclusion criteria. Overall, test cost was one of the strongest drivers of preference, with participants preferring free or very low-cost testing. Confidentiality was a salient concern, particularly among key populations and persons who never tested. Participants in resource-limited settings preferred short travel distance and integration of HIV testing with other services. There was substantial heterogeneity across participant characteristics. For example, while women preferred home testing, high-risk groups (e.g. male porters, female bar workers) and men who had not tested in the last year preferred traveling a short distance for testing. HIV self-testing (HIVST) had high acceptability, particularly among those who had never HIV tested, although most users preferred blood-based sample collection over oral swabs. Participants highly valued post-test counselling availability after HIVST. INTERPRETATION Overall, participants value low-cost, confidential testing with short travel distance. HIVST is a promising strategy to increase testing coverage but post-test counseling and support should be made available. Educational campaigns to increase familiarity and build confidence in results of oral testing can improve the success of HIVST. DCEs conducted within clinic settings likely have limited generalizability to those not seeking care, particularly for key populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Sharma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health, 908 Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Department of Clinical Research and Development, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Connie Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, School of Public Health, 908 Jefferson St, Seattle, WA 98104, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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