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Opiro K, Opee J, Sikoti M, Pebalo PF, Ayikoru JH, Akello H, Manano P, Bongomin F. Utilization of modern contraceptives among female health care workers at Gulu university teaching hospitals in Northern Uganda. Contracept Reprod Med 2024; 9:13. [PMID: 38582918 PMCID: PMC10998388 DOI: 10.1186/s40834-024-00274-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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global high rate of unintended pregnancy is a direct result of underutilization of contraceptives methods. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a pivotal role in promoting and facilitating access to modern family planning services. By examining the extent to which healthcare providers practice what they preach, this research aimed to shed light on the prevalence and factors associated with modern contraceptive use among female HCW at two university teaching hospitals in northern Uganda. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among qualified female healthcare workers (FHCWs) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH) and St. Mary's Hospital-Lacor in Gulu, Uganda. Convenient consecutive sampling was used to enroll study participants. Linear regression analysis was employed to determine factors independently associated with modern contraceptive use. P < 0.005 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS We enrolled 201 female HCWs, with a median age 31 (interquartile range: 27-38) years. Overall, 15 (7.5%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 4.4 -11.1) participants utilized modern methods of family planning in the last 3 months while lifetime use was at 73.6% (n = 148, 95%CI: 67.3 - 79.4%). Most common method utilized was intra-uterine devices [IUDs] (51%, n = 76), followed by sub-dermal implants (15.4%, n = 23). Eighty-five (42.3%, n = 85) participants had desire to get pregnant. Factors independently associated with utilization of modern methods contraceptives were working at GRRH (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 5.0, 95% CI: 1.59 - 10.0, p = 0.003), and being single (aOR: 3.3, 9%CI: 1.02 -10.57, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Utilization of modern methods of contraceptive among female HCWs in this study is lower than the Uganda national estimates for the general female population. Most utilized method is IUDs followed by sub-dermal implants. More studies are recommended to see if this finding is similar among FHCWs in other regions of Uganda and the rest of Africa while also considering Male Healthcare Workers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jimmy Opee
- Gulu University, Gulu, P. O. Box 166, Uganda
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Pence BW, Gaynes BN, Udedi M, Kulisewa K, Zimba CC, Akiba CF, Dussault JM, Akello H, Malava JK, Crampin A, Zhang Y, Preisser JS, DeLong SM, Hosseinipour MC. Two implementation strategies to support the integration of depression screening and treatment into hypertension and diabetes care in Malawi (SHARP): parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial. Lancet Glob Health 2024; 12:e652-e661. [PMID: 38408462 PMCID: PMC10995959 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(23)00592-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although evidence-based treatments for depression in low-resource settings are established, implementation strategies to scale up these treatments remain poorly defined. We aimed to compare two implementation strategies in achieving high-quality integration of depression care into chronic medical care and improving mental health outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes. METHODS We conducted a parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial in ten health facilities across Malawi. Facilities were randomised (1:1) by covariate-constrained randomisation to either an internal champion alone (ie, basic strategy group) or an internal champion plus external supervision with audit and feedback (ie, enhanced strategy group). Champions integrated a three-element, evidence-based intervention into clinical care: universal depression screening; peer-delivered psychosocial counselling; and algorithm-guided, non-specialist antidepressant management. External supervision involved structured facility visits by Ministry officials and clinical experts to assess quality of care and provide supportive feedback approximately every 4 months. Eligible participants were adults (aged 18-65 years) seeking hypertension and diabetes care with signs of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥5). Primary implementation outcomes were depression screening fidelity, treatment initiation fidelity, and follow-up treatment fidelity over the first 3 months of treatment, analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03711786, and is complete. FINDINGS Five (50%) facilities were randomised to the basic strategy and five (50%) to the enhanced strategy. Between Oct 1, 2019, and Nov 30, 2021, in the basic group, 587 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 301 were enrolled; in the enhanced group, 539 patients were assessed, of whom 288 were enrolled. All clinics integrated the evidence-based intervention and were included in the analyses. Of 60 774 screening-eligible visits, screening fidelity was moderate (58% in the enhanced group vs 53% in the basic group; probability difference 5% [95% CI -38% to 47%]; p=0·84) and treatment initiation fidelity was high (99% vs 98%; 0% [-3% to 3%]; p=0·89) in both groups. However, treatment follow-up fidelity was substantially higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (82% vs 20%; 62% [36% to 89%]; p=0·0020). Depression remission was higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (55% vs 36%; 19% [3% to 34%]; p=0·045). Serious adverse events were nine deaths (five in the basic group and four in the enhanced group) and 26 hospitalisations (20 in the basic group and six in the enhanced group); none were treatment-related. INTERPRETATION The enhanced implementation strategy led to an increase in fidelity in providers' follow-up treatment actions and in rates of depression remission, consistent with the literature that follow-up decisions are crucial to improving depression outcomes in integrated care models. These findings suggest that external supervision combined with an internal champion could offer an important advance in integrating depression treatment into general medical care in low-resource settings. FUNDING The National Institute of Mental Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian W Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael Udedi
- Division of Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | - Jullita K Malava
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Amelia Crampin
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - John S Preisser
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie M DeLong
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
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Landrum KR, Gaynes BN, Akello H, Malava JK, Dussault JM, Hosseinipour MC, Udedi M, Masiye J, Zimba CC, Pence BW. The longitudinal association of stressful life events with depression remission among SHARP trial participants with depression and hypertension or diabetes in Malawi. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298546. [PMID: 38408059 PMCID: PMC10896523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298546] [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: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders are leading contributors to morbidity in low- and middle-income countries and are particularly prevalent among people with non-communicable diseases (NCD). Stressful life events (SLEs) are risk factors for, and can help identify those at risk of, severe depressive illness requiring more aggressive treatment. Yet, research on the impact of SLEs on the trajectory of depressive symptoms among NCD patients indicated for depression treatment is lacking, especially in low resource settings. This study aims to estimate the longitudinal association of SLEs at baseline with depression remission achievement at three, six, and 12 months among adults with either hypertension or diabetes and comorbid depression identified as being eligible for depression treatment. Participants were recruited from 10 NCD clinics in Malawi from May 2019-December 2021. SLEs were measured by the Life Events Survey and depression remission was defined as achieving a Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) score <5 at follow-up. The study population (n = 737) consisted predominately of females aged 50 or higher with primary education and current employment. At baseline, participants reported a mean of 3.5 SLEs in the prior three months with 90% reporting ≥1 SLE. After adjustment, each additional SLE was associated with a lower probability of achieving depression remission at three months (cumulative incidence ratio (CIR) 0.94; 95% confidence interval: 0.90, 0.98, p = 0.002), six months (0.95; 0.92, 0.98, p = 0.002) and 12 months (0.96; 0.94, 0.99, p = 0.011). Re-expressed per 3-unit change, the probability of achieving depression remission at three, six, and 12 months was 0.82, 0.86, and 0.89 times lower per 3 SLEs (the median number of SLEs). Among NCD patients identified as eligible for depression treatment, recent SLEs at baseline were associated with lower probability of achieving depression remission at three, six, and 12 months. Findings suggest that interventions addressing SLEs during integrated NCD and depression care interventions (e.g., teaching and practicing SLE coping strategies) may improve success of depression treatment among adult patient populations in low-resource settings and may help identify those at risk of severe and treatment resistant depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R. Landrum
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Josée M. Dussault
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Michael Udedi
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Jones Masiye
- Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Brian W. Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Kiggundu R, Waswa JP, Nakambale HN, Kakooza F, Kassuja H, Murungi M, Akello H, Morries S, Joshi MP, Stergachis A, Konduri N. Development and evaluation of a continuous quality improvement programme for antimicrobial stewardship in six hospitals in Uganda. BMJ Open Qual 2023; 12:e002293. [PMID: 37336576 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002293] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Appropriate antimicrobial use is essential for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Ugandan hospitals are making efforts to improve antibiotic use, but improvements have not been sufficiently documented and evaluated. METHODS Six Ugandan hospitals implemented AMS interventions between June 2019 and July 2022. We used the WHO AMS toolkit to set-up hospital AMS programmes and implemented interventions using continuous quality improvement (CQI) techniques and targeting conditions commonly associated with antibiotic misuse, that is, urinary tract infections (UTIs), upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP). The interventions included training, mentorship and provision of clinical guidelines to support clinical decision-making. Quarterly antibiotic use surveys were conducted. RESULTS Data were collected for 7037 patients diagnosed with UTIs. There was an increase in the proportion of patients receiving one antibiotic for the treatment of UTI from 48% during the pre-intervention to 73.2%, p<0.01. There was a 19.2% reduction in the number of antimicrobials per patient treated for UTI p<0.01. There was an increase in use of nitrofurantoin, the first-line drug for the management of UTI. There was an increase in the use of Access antibiotics for managing UTIs from 50.4% to 53.8%. The proportion of patients receiving no antimicrobials for URTI increased from 26.3% at pre-intervention compared with 53.4% at intervention phase, p<0.01. There was a 20.7% reduction in the mean number of antimicrobials per patient for URTI from the pre-intervention to the intervention phase, from 0.8 to 0.6, respectively, p<0.001 and reduction in the number of treatment days, p=0.0163. Among patients undergoing surgery, 49.5% (2212) received SAP during the pre-intervention versus 50.5% (2169) during the intervention. CONCLUSIONS Using CQI approaches to focus on specific causes of inappropriate antibiotic use led to desirable overall reductions in antibiotic use for URTI and UTI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reuben Kiggundu
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - J P Waswa
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hilma N Nakambale
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Francis Kakooza
- Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hassan Kassuja
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Marion Murungi
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Seru Morries
- Department of Pharmaceuticals and Natural Medicines, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mohan P Joshi
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, Virginia, USA
| | - Andy Stergachis
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Niranjan Konduri
- USAID Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program, Management Sciences for Health, Arlington, Virginia, USA
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Dussault JM, Akiba C, Zimba C, Malava J, Akello H, Stockton M, Mbota M, Matewere M, Masiye J, Udedi M, Gaynes BN, Go VF, Hosseinipour MC, Pence BW. Evaluating the validity of depression-related stigma measurement among diabetes and hypertension patients receiving depression care in Malawi: A mixed-methods analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001374. [PMID: 37195929 PMCID: PMC10191271 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001374] [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: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Mental illness stigma research is sparse in Malawi. Our team previously analyzed the reliability and statistical validity of a quantitative tool to measure depression-related stigma among participants with depressive symptoms using quantitative psychometric methods. This analysis aims to further evaluate the content validity of the stigma tool by comparing participants' quantitative responses with qualitative data. The SHARP project conducted depression screening and treatment at 10 noncommunicable disease clinics across Malawi from April 2019 through December 2021. Eligible participants were 18-65 years with depressive symptoms indicated by a PHQ-9 score ≥5. Questionnaires at each study timepoint included a vignette-based quantitative stigma instrument with three thematic domains: disclosure carryover (i.e., concerns about disclosure), treatment carryover (i.e., concerns about external stigma because of receiving depression treatment), and negative affect (i.e., negative attitudes about people having depression). Sub-scores were aggregated for each domain, with higher scores indicating greater stigma. To better understand participants' interpretation of this quantitative stigma questionnaire, we asked a subset of six participants a parallel set of questions in semi-structured qualitative interviews in a method similar to cognitive interviewing. Qualitative responses were linked with participants' most recent quantitative follow-up interviews using Stata 16 and NVivo software. Participants with lower quantitative stigma disclosure sub-scores had qualitative responses that indicated less stigma around disclosure, while participants with higher quantitative stigma sub-scores had qualitative responses indicating greater stigma. Similarly, in the negative affect and treatment carryover domains, participants had parallel quantitative and qualitative responses. Further, participants identified with the vignette character in their qualitative interviews, and participants spoke about the character's projected feelings and experiences based on their own lived experiences. The stigma tool was interpreted appropriately by participants, providing strong evidence for the content validity of the quantitative tool to measure these stigma domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josée M. Dussault
- Dept of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Christopher Akiba
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States of America
| | | | - Jullita Malava
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Karonga, Malawi
| | | | - Melissa Stockton
- Dept of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jones Masiye
- Ministry of Health Malawi, NCDs & Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael Udedi
- Ministry of Health Malawi, NCDs & Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Dept of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Dept of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Vivian F. Go
- Dept of Health Behavior, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- UNC Project - Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Disease, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Brian W. Pence
- Dept of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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Landrum KR, Akiba CF, Pence BW, Akello H, Chikalimba H, Dussault JM, Hosseinipour MC, Kanzoole K, Kulisewa K, Malava JK, Udedi M, Zimba CC, Gaynes BN. Assessing suicidality during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: Lessons learned from adaptation and implementation of a telephone-based suicide risk assessment and response protocol in Malawi. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281711. [PMID: 36930620 PMCID: PMC10022777 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281711] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to the rapid transition of many research studies from in-person to telephone follow-up globally. For mental health research in low-income settings, tele-follow-up raises unique safety concerns due to the potential of identifying suicide risk in participants who cannot be immediately referred to in-person care. We developed and iteratively adapted a telephone-delivered protocol designed to follow a positive suicide risk assessment (SRA) screening. We describe the development and implementation of this SRA protocol during follow-up of a cohort of adults with depression in Malawi enrolled in the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Partnership for Mental Health Capacity Building (SHARP) randomized control trial during the COVID-19 era. We assess protocol feasibility and performance, describe challenges and lessons learned during protocol development, and discuss how this protocol may function as a model for use in other settings. Transition from in-person to telephone SRAs was feasible and identified participants with suicidal ideation (SI). Follow-up protocol monitoring indicated a 100% resolution rate of SI in cases following the SRA during this period, indicating that this was an effective strategy for monitoring SI virtually. Over 2% of participants monitored by phone screened positive for SI in the first six months of protocol implementation. Most were passive risk (73%). There were no suicides or suicide attempts during the study period. Barriers to implementation included use of a contact person for participants without personal phones, intermittent network problems, and pre-paid phone plans delaying follow-up. Delays in follow-up due to challenges with reaching contact persons, intermittent network problems, and pre-paid phone plans should be considered in future adaptations. Future directions include validation studies for use of this protocol in its existing context. This protocol was successful at identifying suicide risk levels and providing research assistants and participants with structured follow-up and referral plans. The protocol can serve as a model for virtual SRA development and is currently being adapted for use in other contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R. Landrum
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Christopher F. Akiba
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brian W. Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | | | - Josée M. Dussault
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Michael Udedi
- Noncommunicable Disease and Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Dussault JM, Zimba C, Akello H, Stockton M, Hill S, Aiello AE, Keil A, Gaynes BN, Udedi M, Pence BW. Estimating the effect of anticipated depression treatment-related stigma on depression remission among people with noncommunicable diseases and depressive symptoms in Malawi. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282016. [PMID: 36928834 PMCID: PMC10019662 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282016] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE While mental health stigma research is sparse in Malawi, research in other settings suggests that stigma represents a barrier to mental health treatment and recovery. Accordingly, we conducted an analysis to understand the role of treatment-related stigma in depression care in Malawi by estimating the effect of patients' baseline anticipated treatment-related stigma on their 3-month probability of depression remission when newly identified with depression. METHODS We conducted depression screening and treatment at 10 noncommunicable disease (NCD) clinics across Malawi from April 2019 through December 2021. Eligible cohort participants were 18-65 years with depressive symptoms indicated by a PHQ-9 score ≥5. Questionnaires at the baseline and 3-month interviews included a vignette-based quantitative stigma instrument that measured treatment-related stigma, i.e., concerns about external stigma because of receiving depression treatment. Using inverse probability weighting to adjust for confounding and multiple imputation to account for missing data, this analysis relates participants' baseline levels of anticipated treatment stigma to the 3-month probability of achieving depression remission (i.e., PHQ-9 score < 5). RESULTS Of 743 included participants, 273 (37%) achieved depression remission by their 3-month interview. The probability of achieving depression remission at the 3-month interview among participants with high anticipated treatment stigma (0.31; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.23, 0.39)) was 10 percentage points lower than among the low/neutral stigma group (risk: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.45; RD: -0.10; 95% CI: -0.19, -0.003). CONCLUSION In Malawi, a reduction in anticipated depression treatment-related stigma among NCD patients initiating depression treatment could improve depression outcomes. Further investigation is necessary to understand the modes by which stigma can be successfully reduced to improve mental health outcomes and quality of life among people living with depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josée M. Dussault
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | | | | | - Melissa Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, United States of America
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Sherika Hill
- Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States of America
| | - Allison E. Aiello
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexander Keil
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Michael Udedi
- NCDs & Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Brian W. Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
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Landrum KR, Pence BW, Gaynes BN, Dussault JM, Hosseinipour MC, Kulisewa K, Malava JK, Masiye J, Akello H, Udedi M, Zimba CC. The cross-sectional association of stressful life events with depression severity among patients with hypertension and diabetes in Malawi. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279619. [PMID: 36584142 PMCID: PMC9803137 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279619] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Depressive disorders are a leading cause of global morbidity and remain disproportionately high in low- and middle-income settings. Stressful life events (SLEs) are known risk factors for depressive episodes and worsened depressive severity, yet are under-researched in comparison to other depression risk factors. As depression is often comorbid with hypertension, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), research into this relationship among patients with NCDs is particularly relevant to increasing opportunities for integrated depression and NCD care. This study aims to estimate the cross-sectional association between SLEs in the three months preceding baseline interviews and baseline depressive severity among patients with at least mild depressive symptoms who are seeking NCD care at 10 NCD clinics across Malawi. SLEs were measured by the Life Events Survey and depressive severity (mild vs. moderate to severe) was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. The study population (n = 708) was predominately currently employed, grand multiparous (5-8 children) women with a primary education level. Two thirds (63%) had mild depression while 26%, 8%, and 3% had moderate, moderately severe, and severe depression, respectively. Nearly all participants (94%) reported at least one recent SLE, with the most common reported SLEs being financial stress (48%), relationship changes (45%), death of a family member or friend (41%), or serious illness of a family member or friend (39%). Divorce/separation, estrangement from a family member, losing source of income, and major new health problems were significant predictors of greater (moderate or severe) depressive severity compared to mild severity. Having a major new health problem or experiencing divorce/separation resulted in particularly high risk of more severe depression. After adjustment, each additional SLE was associated with a 9% increased risk of moderate or worse depressive severity compared to mild depressive severity (RR: 1.09; (95% CI: 1.05, 1.13), p<0.0001). Among patients with NCDs with at least mild depressive symptoms, SLEs in the prior 3 months were associated with greater depressive severity. While many SLEs may not be preventable, this research suggests that assessment of SLEs and teaching of positive coping strategies when experiencing SLEs may play an important role in integrated NCD and depression treatment models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey R. Landrum
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Brian W. Pence
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Psychiatry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Josée M. Dussault
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- UNC Project Malawi, UNC Project, Tidziwe Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Kamuzu University of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Jones Masiye
- Malawi Ministry of Health, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Harriet Akello
- UNC Project Malawi, UNC Project, Tidziwe Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Michael Udedi
- Malawi Ministry of Health, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi
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9
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Dussault JM, Zimba C, Malava J, Akello H, Stockton MA, Udedi M, Gaynes BN, Hosseinipour MC, Pence BW, Masiye J. "Thandi should feel embarrassed": describing the validity and reliability of a tool to measure depression-related stigma among patients with depressive symptoms in Malawi. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2022; 57:1211-1220. [PMID: 34800138 PMCID: PMC9090948 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-021-02202-w] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There are no validated tools in Malawi to measure mental health stigma. Accordingly, this study evaluates the validity and reliability of a short quantitative instrument to measure depression-related stigma in patients exhibiting depressive symptoms in Malawi. METHODS The SHARP study began depression screening in 10 NCD clinics across Malawi in April 2019; recruitment is ongoing. Eligible participants were 18-65 years, had a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) score ≥ 5, and were new or current diabetes or hypertension patients. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire that measured depression-related stigma, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic information. The stigma instrument included a vignette of a depressed woman named Thandi, and participants rated their level of agreement with statements about Thandi's situation in nine prompts on a 5-point Likert scale. Inter-item reliability was assessed with Cronbach's alpha. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess structural validity, and OLS regression models were used to assess convergent and divergent validity between measured levels of depression-related stigma and covariates. RESULTS The analysis of patient responses (n = 688) to the stigma tool demonstrated acceptable inter-item reliability across all scales and subsequent subscales of the instrument, with alpha values ranging from 0.70 to 0.87. The EFA demonstrated clustering around three domains: negative affect, treatment carryover, and disclosure carryover. Regression models demonstrated convergence with several covariates and demonstrated divergence as expected. CONCLUSION This study supports the reliability and validity of a short stigma questionnaire in this population. Future studies should continue to assess the validity of this stigma instrument in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josée M Dussault
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, USA.
| | | | - Jullita Malava
- Malawi Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Karonga, Malawi
| | | | - Melissa A Stockton
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, USA
| | - Michael Udedi
- NCDs and Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- UNC Project, Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Disease, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Brian W Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jones Masiye
- NCDs and Mental Health Unit, Ministry of Health Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
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10
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Namugambe JS, Delamou A, Moses F, Ali E, Hermans V, Takarinda K, Thekkur P, Nanyonga SM, Koroma Z, Mwoga JN, Akello H, Imi M, Kitutu FE. National Antimicrobial Consumption: Analysis of Central Warehouses Supplies to In-Patient Care Health Facilities from 2017 to 2019 in Uganda. Trop Med Infect Dis 2021; 6:83. [PMID: 34069434 PMCID: PMC8163196 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed6020083] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial consumption (AMC) surveillance at global and national levels is necessary to inform relevant interventions and policies. This study analyzed central warehouse antimicrobial supplies to health facilities providing inpatient care in Uganda. We collected data on antimicrobials supplied by National Medical Stores (NMS) and Joint Medical Stores (JMS) to 442 health facilities from 2017 to 2019. Data were analyzed using the World Health Organization methodology for AMC surveillance. Total quantity of antimicrobials in defined daily dose (DDD) were determined, classified into Access, Watch, Reserve (AWaRe) and AMC density was calculated. There was an increase in total DDDs distributed by NMS in 2019 by 4,166,572 DDD. In 2019, Amoxicillin (27%), Cotrimoxazole (20%), and Metronidazole (12%) were the most supplied antimicrobials by NMS while Doxycycline (10%), Amoxicillin (19%), and Metronidazole (10%) were the most supplied by JMS. The majority of antimicrobials supplied by NMS (81%) and JMS (66%) were from the Access category. Increasing antimicrobial consumption density (DDD per 100 patient days) was observed from national referral to lower-level health facilities. Except for NMS in 2019, total antimicrobials supplied by NMS and JMS remained the same from 2017 to 2019. This serves as a baseline for future assessments and monitoring of stewardship interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Sanyu Namugambe
- Department of Pharmacy, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, P.O. Box 1410 Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Alexandre Delamou
- Africa Centre of Excellence for Prevention and Control of Transmissible Diseases (CEA-PCMT), University Gamal Abdel Nasser, Conakry, PB: 4099 Maferinyah, Guinea;
- Centre National de Formation et de Recherche en Santé Rurale (CNFRSR) de Maferinyah, PB: 4099 Maferinyah, Guinea
| | - Francis Moses
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 00232 Freetown, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (Z.K.)
- College of Medicine & Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, 00232 Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Engy Ali
- Médecins Sans Frontières–Operational Centre Brussels, Medical Department, Operational Research Unit (LuxOR), Luxembourg De Manstraat 6, 2100 Deurne, Brussels, Belgium; (E.A.); (V.H.)
| | - Veerle Hermans
- Médecins Sans Frontières–Operational Centre Brussels, Medical Department, Operational Research Unit (LuxOR), Luxembourg De Manstraat 6, 2100 Deurne, Brussels, Belgium; (E.A.); (V.H.)
| | - Kudakwashe Takarinda
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 75006 Paris, France; (K.T.); (P.T.)
| | - Pruthu Thekkur
- Centre for Operational Research, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 75006 Paris, France; (K.T.); (P.T.)
| | - Stella Maris Nanyonga
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072 Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Zikan Koroma
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, 00232 Freetown, Sierra Leone; (F.M.); (Z.K.)
| | - Joseph Ngobi Mwoga
- World Health Organisation County Office, P.O. Box 24578 Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Harriet Akello
- Ministry of Health Uganda, P.O. Box 7272 Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Monica Imi
- Enabel, The Belgian Development Agency, P.O. Box 40131 Kampala, Uganda;
| | - Freddy Eric Kitutu
- Sustainable Pharmaceutical Systems (SPS) Unit, Pharmacy Department, School of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda;
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11
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Aceng JR, Ario AR, Muruta AN, Makumbi I, Nanyunja M, Komakech I, Bakainaga AN, Talisuna AO, Mwesigye C, Mpairwe AM, Tusiime JB, Lali WZ, Katushabe E, Ocom F, Kaggwa M, Bongomin B, Kasule H, Mwoga JN, Sensasi B, Mwebembezi E, Katureebe C, Sentumbwe O, Nalwadda R, Mbaka P, Fatunmbi BS, Nakiire L, Lamorde M, Walwema R, Kambugu A, Nanyondo J, Okware S, Ahabwe PB, Nabukenya I, Kayiwa J, Wetaka MM, Kyazze S, Kwesiga B, Kadobera D, Bulage L, Nanziri C, Monje F, Aliddeki DM, Ntono V, Gonahasa D, Nabatanzi S, Nsereko G, Nakinsige A, Mabumba E, Lubwama B, Sekamatte M, Kibuule M, Muwanguzi D, Amone J, Upenytho GD, Driwale A, Seru M, Sebisubi F, Akello H, Kabanda R, Mutengeki DK, Bakyaita T, Serwanjja VN, Okwi R, Okiria J, Ainebyoona E, Opar BT, Mimbe D, Kyabaggu D, Ayebazibwe C, Sentumbwe J, Mwanja M, Ndumu DB, Bwogi J, Balinandi S, Nyakarahuka L, Tumusiime A, Kyondo J, Mulei S, Lutwama J, Kaleebu P, Kagirita A, Nabadda S, Oumo P, Lukwago R, Kasozi J, Masylukov O, Kyobe HB, Berdaga V, Lwanga M, Opio JC, Matseketse D, Eyul J, Oteba MO, Bukirwa H, Bulya N, Masiira B, Kihembo C, Ohuabunwo C, Antara SN, Owembabazi W, Okot PB, Okwera J, Amoros I, Kajja V, Mukunda BS, Sorela I, Adams G, Shoemaker T, Klena JD, Taboy CH, Ward SE, Merrill RD, Carter RJ, Harris JR, Banage F, Nsibambi T, Ojwang J, Kasule JN, Stowell DF, Brown VR, Zhu BP, Homsy J, Nelson LJ, Tusiime PK, Olaro C, Mwebesa HG, Woldemariam YT. Uganda's experience in Ebola virus disease outbreak preparedness, 2018-2019. Global Health 2020; 16:24. [PMID: 32192540 PMCID: PMC7081536 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00548-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [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: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the declaration of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in DRC on 1st Aug 2018, several neighboring countries have been developing and implementing preparedness efforts to prevent EVD cross-border transmission to enable timely detection, investigation, and response in the event of a confirmed EVD outbreak in the country. We describe Uganda's experience in EVD preparedness. RESULTS On 4 August 2018, the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) activated the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) and the National Task Force (NTF) for public health emergencies to plan, guide, and coordinate EVD preparedness in the country. The NTF selected an Incident Management Team (IMT), constituting a National Rapid Response Team (NRRT) that supported activation of the District Task Forces (DTFs) and District Rapid Response Teams (DRRTs) that jointly assessed levels of preparedness in 30 designated high-risk districts representing category 1 (20 districts) and category 2 (10 districts). The MoH, with technical guidance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), led EVD preparedness activities and worked together with other ministries and partner organisations to enhance community-based surveillance systems, develop and disseminate risk communication messages, engage communities, reinforce EVD screening and infection prevention measures at Points of Entry (PoEs) and in high-risk health facilities, construct and equip EVD isolation and treatment units, and establish coordination and procurement mechanisms. CONCLUSION As of 31 May 2019, there was no confirmed case of EVD as Uganda has continued to make significant and verifiable progress in EVD preparedness. There is a need to sustain these efforts, not only in EVD preparedness but also across the entire spectrum of a multi-hazard framework. These efforts strengthen country capacity and compel the country to avail resources for preparedness and management of incidents at the source while effectively cutting costs of using a "fire-fighting" approach during public health emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex R Ario
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda.
| | | | - Issa Makumbi
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - William Z Lali
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Felix Ocom
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mugagga Kaggwa
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bodo Bongomin
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Hafisa Kasule
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph N Mwoga
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | - Rita Nalwadda
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Paul Mbaka
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Solome Okware
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Disease Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Immaculate Nabukenya
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Disease Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joshua Kayiwa
- Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Milton M Wetaka
- Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Simon Kyazze
- Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Benon Kwesiga
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Daniel Kadobera
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lilian Bulage
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Carol Nanziri
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Monje
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dativa M Aliddeki
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Vivian Ntono
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Doreen Gonahasa
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sandra Nabatanzi
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Godfrey Nsereko
- Uganda Public Health Fellowship Program, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Harriet Akello
- Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
- Management Sciences for Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Derrick Mimbe
- Makerere University Walter Reed Project, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Denis Kyabaggu
- East African Public Health Laboratory Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Juliet Sentumbwe
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Moses Mwanja
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Deo B Ndumu
- Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sophia Mulei
- Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | - Atek Kagirita
- Uganda National Health Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Susan Nabadda
- Uganda National Health Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Oumo
- Ministry of Internal Affairs, Uganda Police Force, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Robinah Lukwago
- Department for International Development, UKAID, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Julius Kasozi
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | - Joe C Opio
- United Nations Children's Fund, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - James Eyul
- Civil Aviation Authority, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | - Nulu Bulya
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Ben Masiira
- African Field Epidemiology Network, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Victoria Kajja
- Intenational Organisation for Migration, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Isabel Sorela
- Intenational Organisation for Migration, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Gregory Adams
- United States Agency for International Development, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Trevor Shoemaker
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - John D Klena
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Celine H Taboy
- National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sarah E Ward
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Global Border Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rebecca D Merrill
- Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Global Border Health, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rosalind J Carter
- Global Immunization Division, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Julie R Harris
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Flora Banage
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Thomas Nsibambi
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Joseph Ojwang
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet N Kasule
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Dan F Stowell
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Vance R Brown
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Bao-Ping Zhu
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Jaco Homsy
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Lisa J Nelson
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Kampala, Uganda
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12
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Pfaff C, Singano V, Akello H, Amberbir A, Berman J, Kwekwesa A, Banda V, Speight C, Allain T, van Oosterhout JJ. Early experiences integrating hypertension and diabetes screening and treatment in a human immunodeficiency virus clinic in Malawi. Int Health 2019; 10:495-501. [PMID: 30052987 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihy049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) programmes can be leveraged to manage the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Methods In October 2015, a model of integrated HIV-NCD care was developed at a large HIV clinic in southeast Malawi. Blood pressure was measured in adults at every visit and random blood glucose was determined every 2 y. Uncomplicated antiretroviral therapy (ART)-only care was provided by nurses, integrated HIV-NCD management was provided by clinical officers. Waiting times were assessed using the electronic medical record system. The team met monthly to identify bottlenecks. Results All (n=6036) adult HIV patients were screened and 765 were diagnosed with hypertension (prevalence 12.7% [95% confidence interval {CI} 11.9-13.5). A total of 2979 adult HIV patients were screened and 25 were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (prevalence 0.8% [95% CI 0.6-1.2]). The mean duration of ART visits by clinical officers increased from 80.5 to 90 min during the first quarter following HIV-NCD integration but returned to 75 min the following quarter. The mean number of patients seen per day by clinical officers increased from 6 to 11 and for nurses decreased from 92 to 82 in that time period. The robust vertical HIV system made the design of integrated tools demanding. Challenges of integrated HIV-NCD care were related to patient flow, waiting times, NCD drug availability, data collection, clinic workload and the timing of diabetes and hypertension screening. Conclusions Integrated HIV-NCD services provision was feasible in our clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Pfaff
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi.,College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Colin Speight
- Lighthouse Trust, Kamuzu Central Hospital, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Theresa Allain
- College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Joep J van Oosterhout
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi.,College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
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13
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Pfaff C, Singano V, Akello H, Amberbir A, Berman J, Kwekwesa A, Matengeni A, Banda V, Msonko J, Speight C, Kabeya BM, van Oosterhout JJ. Early experiences in integrating cervical cancer screening and treatment into HIV services in Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. Malawi Med J 2019; 30:211-214. [PMID: 30627358 PMCID: PMC6307048 DOI: 10.4314/mmj.v30i3.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malawi has the highest rate of cervical cancer globally and cervical cancer is six to eight times more common in women with HIV. HIV programmes provide an ideal setting to integrate cervical cancer screening. Methods Tisungane HIV clinic at Zomba Central Hospital has around 3,700 adult women receiving treatment. In October 2015, a model of integrated cervical cancer screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) was adopted. All women aged 20 and above in the HIV clinic were asked if they had cervical cancer screening in the past three years and, if not, were referred for screening. Screening was done daily by nurses in a room adjacent to the HIV clinic. Cold coagulation was used to treat pre-cancerous lesions. From October 2016, a modification to the HIV programme's electronic medical record was developed that assisted in matching numbers of women sent for screening with daily screening capacity and alerted providers to women with pre-cancerous lesions who missed referrals or treatment. Results Between May 2016 and March 2017, cervical cancer screening was performed in 957 women from the HIV clinic. Of the 686 (71%) women who underwent first ever screening, 23 (3.4%) were found to have VIA positive lesions suggestive of pre-cancer, of whom 8 (35%) had a same-day cold coagulation procedure, seven (30%) deferred cold coagulation to a later date (of whom 4 came for treatment), and 8 (35%) were referred to surgery due to size of lesion; 5/686 (0.7%) women had lesions suspicious of cancer. Conclusion Incorporating cervical cancer screening into services at HIV clinics is feasible. A structured approach to screening in the HIV clinic was important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Pfaff
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi.,Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Biselele M Kabeya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zomba Central Hospital, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Joep J van Oosterhout
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
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14
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Landes M, Thompson C, Mwinjiwa E, Thaulo E, Gondwe C, Akello H, Chan AK. Task shifting of triage to peer expert informal care providers at a tertiary referral HIV clinic in Malawi: a cross-sectional operational evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:341. [PMID: 28486980 PMCID: PMC5423418 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2291-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV treatment models in Africa are labour intensive and require a high number of skilled staff. In this context, task-shifting is considered a feasible alternative for ART service delivery. In 2006, a lay health cadre of expert patients (EPs) at a tertiary referral HIV clinic in Zomba, Malawi was capacitated. There are few evaluations of EP program efficacy in this setting. Triage is the process of prioritizing patients in terms of the severity of their condition and ensures that no harmful delays occur to treatment and care. This study evaluates the safety of task-shifting triage, in an ambulatory low resource setting, to EPs. Methods As a quality improvement exercise in April 2010, formal triage training was conducted by adapting the World Health Organization Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment Triage Module Guidelines. A cross sectional observation study was conducted 2 years after the intervention. Triage assessments performed by EPs were repeated by a clinical officer (gold standard) to assess sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values for EP triage scores. Proportions were calculated for categories of disposition by stratifying by EP and clinician triage scores. Results A total of 467 patients were triaged by 7 EPs and re-triaged by clinical officers. With combined triage scores for emergency and priority patients we report a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 74% for the EP scoring, with a low positive predictive value (41%) and a high negative predictive value (96%). We calculate a serious miss rate of EP scoring (i.e. missed priority or emergency patients) as 2.2%. Admission rates to hospital were highest among those patients triaged as emergency cases either by the EP’s (21%) or the clinicians (83%). Fewer patients triaged as priority by either EPs (5%) or clinicians (15%) were admitted to hospital, however these patients had the highest prevalence of same day lab testing and/or specialty referral. Conclusions Our study provides reassurance that in the context of adequate training and ongoing supervision, task-shifting triage to lay health care workers does not necessarily lead to less accurate triaging. EPs have a tendency to be more conservative in over-triaging patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-017-2291-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Landes
- Dignitas International-Malawi Country Program, Zomba, Malawi.,Department of Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Courtney Thompson
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, London, UK
| | - Edson Mwinjiwa
- Dignitas International-Malawi Country Program, Zomba, Malawi.,Tisungane Clinic, Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Edith Thaulo
- Tisungane Clinic, Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Chrissie Gondwe
- Dignitas International-Malawi Country Program, Zomba, Malawi.,Tisungane Clinic, Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Harriet Akello
- Dignitas International-Malawi Country Program, Zomba, Malawi.,Tisungane Clinic, Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi Ministry of Health, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Adrienne K Chan
- Dignitas International-Malawi Country Program, Zomba, Malawi. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada. .,Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and Division of Clinical Public Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Divala OH, Amberbir A, Ismail Z, Beyene T, Garone D, Pfaff C, Singano V, Akello H, Joshua M, Nyirenda MJ, Matengeni A, Berman J, Mallewa J, Chinomba GS, Kayange N, Allain TJ, Chan AK, Sodhi SK, van Oosterhout JJ. The burden of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular risk factors among adult Malawians in HIV care: consequences for integrated services. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:1243. [PMID: 27955664 PMCID: PMC5153818 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3916-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hypertension and diabetes prevalence is high in Africans. Data from HIV infected populations are limited, especially from Malawi. Integrating care for chronic non-communicable co-morbidities in well-established HIV services may provide benefit for patients by preventing multiple hospital visits but will increase the burden of care for busy HIV clinics. Methods Cross-sectional study of adults (≥18 years) at an urban and a rural HIV clinic in Zomba district, Malawi, during 2014. Hypertension and diabetes were diagnosed according to stringent criteria. Proteinuria, non-fasting lipids and cardio/cerebro-vascular disease (CVD) risk scores (Framingham and World Health Organization/International Society for Hypertension) were determined. The association of patient characteristics with diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes was studied using multivariable analyses. We explored the additional burden of care for integrated drug treatment of hypertension and diabetes in HIV clinics. We defined that burden as patients with diabetes and/or stage II and III hypertension, but not with stage I hypertension unless they had proteinuria, previous stroke or high Framingham CVD risk. Results Nine hundred fifty-two patients were enrolled, 71.7% female, median age 43.0 years, 95.9% on antiretroviral therapy (ART), median duration 47.7 months. Rural and urban patients’ characteristics differed substantially. Hypertension prevalence was 23.7% (95%-confidence interval 21.1–26.6; rural 21.0% vs. urban 26.5%; p = 0.047), of whom 59.9% had stage I (mild) hypertension. Diabetes prevalence was 4.1% (95%-confidence interval 3.0–5.6) without significant difference between rural and urban settings. Prevalence of proteinuria, elevated total/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and high CVD risk score was low. Hypertension diagnosis was associated with increasing age, higher body mass index, presence of proteinuria, being on regimen zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine and inversely with World Health Organization clinical stage at ART initiation. Diabetes diagnosis was associated with higher age and being on non-standard first-line or second-line ART regimens. Conclusion Among patients in HIV care 26.6% had hypertension and/or diabetes. Close to two-thirds of hypertension diagnoses was stage I and of those few had an indication for antihypertensive pharmacotherapy. According to our criteria, 13.0% of HIV patients in care required drug treatment for hypertension and/or diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Colin Pfaff
- Dignitas International, PO Box 1071, Zomba, Malawi
| | | | | | - Martias Joshua
- Ministry of Health, Zomba Central Hospital, Zomba, Malawi
| | | | | | - Josh Berman
- Dignitas International, PO Box 1071, Zomba, Malawi
| | - Jane Mallewa
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Noel Kayange
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | | | - Sumeet K Sodhi
- Dignitas International, PO Box 1071, Zomba, Malawi.,Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joep J van Oosterhout
- Dignitas International, PO Box 1071, Zomba, Malawi. .,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Blantyre, Malawi.
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Mwinjiwa E, Isaakidis P, Van den Bergh R, Harries AD, Bezanson KD, Beyene T, Thompson C, Joshua M, Akello H, van Lettow M. Burden, characteristics, management and outcomes of HIV-infected patients with Kaposi's sarcoma in Zomba, Malawi. Public Health Action 2015; 3:180-5. [PMID: 26393024 DOI: 10.5588/pha.13.0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SETTING Antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinic at Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of records (2004-2011) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). OBJECTIVES To determine the number and characteristics of HIV-infected adult patients with KS on ART and vincristine (VCR) therapy and their treatment outcomes. RESULTS A total of 545 HIV-infected patients with KS (58% male, median age 33 years) were included in the study. The baseline median CD4 count was 180 cells/µl (interquartile range 111-287). Cumulative outcomes were as follows: 168 (31%) were still alive, 133 (24%) had died, 172 (32%) were lost to follow-up and 71 (13%) had transferred out; 229 had received at least one course of VCR, 171 had received less than one full course and 145 had not received VCR. The survival probability for 229 patients who received at least one course of VCR was 65% at 1 year, 42% at 2 years and 13% by 6 years. Patients who started VCR therapy before or concurrently with ART had a higher risk of death and generally a higher risk of death and loss to follow-up than those who started VCR after ART. CONCLUSION Poor outcomes were noted in HIV-infected patients with KS in a programme setting in Malawi. Other treatment interventions, including combination and/or second-line chemotherapy and earlier ART initiation, are needed to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - P Isaakidis
- Operational Centre Brussels, Operational Research Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières-Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - R Van den Bergh
- Operational Centre Brussels, Operational Research Unit, Médecins Sans Frontières-Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A D Harries
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK ; International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Paris, France
| | - K D Bezanson
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi ; Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Mount Sinai Hospital, Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada ; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - T Beyene
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi
| | - C Thompson
- School of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Joshua
- Ministry of Health, Zomba Central Hospital, Zomba, Malawi
| | - H Akello
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi
| | - M van Lettow
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi ; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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