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Qiao S, Zhang J, Li Z, Olatosi B, Weissman S, Li X. The Impacts of HIV-Related Service Interruptions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Protocol of a Mixed Methodology Longitudinal Study. AIDS Behav 2023:10.1007/s10461-023-04138-5. [PMID: 37526786 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04138-5] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The global COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented pressure on health systems and has interrupted public health efforts for other major health conditions, including HIV. It is critical to comprehensively understand how the pandemic has affected the delivery and utilization of HIV-related services and what are the effective strategies that may mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 and resultant interruptions. The current study thus aims to comprehensively investigate HIV service interruptions during the pandemic following a socioecological model, to assess their impacts on various outcomes of the HIV prevention and treatment cascade and to identify resilience resources for buffering impacts of interruptions on HIV treatment cascade outcomes. We will assess HIV service interruptions in South Carolina (SC) since 2020 using operational report data from Ryan White HIV clinics and HIV service utilization data (including telehealth use) based on statewide electronic health records (EHR) and cellphone-based place visitation data. We will further explore how HIV service interruptions affect HIV prevention and treatment cascade outcomes at appropriate geospatial units based on the integration of multi-type, multi-source datasets (e.g., EHR, geospatial data). Finally, we will identify institutional-, community-, and structural-level factors (e.g., resilience resources) that may mitigate the adverse impacts of HIV service interruptions based on the triangulation of quantitative (i.e., EHR data, geospatial data, online survey data) and qualitative (i.e., in-depth interviews with clinic leaders, healthcare providers, people living with HIV, and HIV clinic operational reports) data regarding health system infrastructure, social capital, and organizational preparedness. Our proposed research can lead to a better understanding of complicated HIV service interruptions in SC and resilience factors that can mitigate the negative effects of such interruptions on various HIV treatment cascade outcomes. The multilevel resilience resources identified through data triangulation will assist SC health departments and communities in developing strategic plans in response to this evolving pandemic and other future public health emergencies (e.g., monkeypox, disasters caused by climate change). The research findings can also inform public health policymaking and the practices of other Deep South states with similar sociocultural contexts in developing resilient healthcare systems and communities and advancing epidemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Qiao
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA.
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA.
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Zhenlong Li
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA
- Geoinformation and Big Data Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, Colleague of Arts and Sciences, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Bankole Olatosi
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Sharon Weissman
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Columbia, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
- South Carolina SmartState Center of Health Quality, Columbia, USA
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2
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MacDonell KK, Naar S. Self-Management Frameworks for Youth Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Pediatr Clin North Am 2022; 69:759-77. [PMID: 35934498 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2022.04.007] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
HIV is now a chronic condition that can be managed. Adolescents and emerging adults represent a large proportion of new diagnoses, but struggle with many aspects of HIV-related self-management. Self-management of HIV is critical to maintaining health and involves retention in HIV care, medication adherence to achieve viral suppression, managing substance use, and sexual and general health-related behaviors. This article describes theoretic frameworks for HIV self-management as adapted for youth and reviews self-management interventions developed to improve health outcomes in youth living with HIV identified from a recent systematic review.
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Bromberg DJ, Tate MM, Alaei A, Rozanova J, Karimov S, Saidi D, Alaei K, Altice FL. "Who are You and What are You Doing Here?": Social Capital and Barriers to Movement along the HIV Care Cascade among Tajikistani Migrants with HIV to Russia. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:3115-3127. [PMID: 34195912 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03359-w] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Tajikistani migrants who work in Russia and acquire HIV seldom receive HIV treatment while in Russia. Barriers to engagement in the HIV care cascade were identified from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with purposefully sampled Tajikistani migrants (n = 34) with HIV who had returned from Russia. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, drawing from Putnam's theory of social capital, showing how bridging and bonding social capital relate to poor engagement in HIV care. We identified three barriers to Tajikistani migrants' movement through the HIV care cascade: (1) Russia's migration ban on people with HIV interrupts social capital accumulation and prevents access to HIV treatment within Russia; (2) mistrust of authority figures, including healthcare providers, leads to avoiding treatment and harm-reduction services upon their return to Tajikistan; and (3) because of pervasive discrimination, Tajikistani migrants form weak social ties while in Russia, which exacerbates risk, including with Russian citizens, and deters engagement with HIV care. Deploying a treatment as prevention strategy and abolishing Russia's ban on people with HIV would improve both individual and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Bromberg
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Mary M Tate
- Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Arash Alaei
- Republican AIDS Center, Tajikistan Ministry of Health, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Institute for International Health and Education, Albany, NY, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Julia Rozanova
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Saifuddin Karimov
- Republican AIDS Center, Tajikistan Ministry of Health, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Dilshod Saidi
- Republican AIDS Center, Tajikistan Ministry of Health, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kamiar Alaei
- Institute for International Health and Education, Albany, NY, USA
- Health Science Department, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Republican AIDS Center, Tajikistan Ministry of Health, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Centre of Excellence on Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Remien RH, Patel V, Chibanda D, Abas MA. Integrating mental health into HIV prevention and care: a call to action. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24 Suppl 2:e25748. [PMID: 34164925 PMCID: PMC8222846 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Remien
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies and Division of Gender, Sexuality, and HealthDepartment of PsychiatryNY State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Vikram Patel
- Department of Global Health and Social MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolDepartment of Global Health and PopulationHarvard TH Chan School of Public HealthBostonMAUSA
| | - Dixon Chibanda
- University of Zimbabwe & London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Melanie Amna Abas
- Health Service and Population Research Department Institute of Psychiatry, PsychologyNeuroscience King's College LondonLondonUK
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Atuhaire L, Adetokunboh O, Shumba C, Nyasulu PS. Effect of community-based interventions targeting female sex workers along the HIV care cascade in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2021; 10:137. [PMID: 33952347 PMCID: PMC8101125 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01688-4] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female sex workers are extremely vulnerable and highly susceptible to being infected with human immunodeficiency virus. As a result, community-based targeted interventions have been recommended as one of the models of care to improve access to HIV services and continued engagement in care. We conducted a systematic review to (1) assess the effect of FSW-targeted community interventions on the improvement of HIV services access along the treatment cascade and (2) describe community-based interventions that positively affect continuation in HIV care across the HIV treatment cascade for FSWs in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS We defined the 5 steps that make up the HIV care cascade and categorized them as outcomes, namely, HIV testing and diagnosis, linkage to care, receipt of ART, and achievement of viral suppression. We conducted a systematic search of randomized controlled trials, cohort, and cross-sectional studies done in sub-Saharan African countries and published from 2004 to 2020. The period was selected based on the time span within which ART was scaled up through widespread roll-out of comprehensive HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa. We reviewed studies with data on the implementation of community interventions for any of the HIV care cascade stage. The data were analyzed using random effects meta-analysis where possible, and for the rest of the studies, data were synthesized using summary statistics. RESULTS The significant impact of the community interventions was observed on HIV testing, HIV diagnosis, and ART use. However, for HIV testing and ART use, the improvement was not sustained for the entire period of implementation. There were minimal interventions that had impact on HIV diagnosis, with only one community service delivery model showing significance. Generally, the interventions that had reasonable impact are those that implemented targeted and comprehensive package of HIV services provided at one location, and with unique strategies specific to each cascade stage. CONCLUSIONS The evidence brought forward from this review shows that the effect of community-based interventions varies across the different stages of HIV care cascade. A broad package of interventions including a combination of behavioral, biomedical, and structural, designed with specific strategies, unique to each cascade stage appears to be more effective, although information on long-term treatment outcomes and the extent to which FSWs remain engaged in care is sparse. There is need to conduct a further research to deepen the assessment of the effectiveness of community-based interventions on HIV care cascade for FSWs. This will enhance identification of evidence-based optimal interventions that will guide effective allocation of scarce resources for strategies that would have a significant impact on HIV service delivery. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020157623.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Atuhaire
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Olatunji Adetokunboh
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA), Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Constance Shumba
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya.,Department of Population Health, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Peter S Nyasulu
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. .,School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Grau LE, Brothers S, Kim JY, Khwaja A, Heimer R, Stopka TJ. The HIV Care Continuum in Small Cities of Southern New England: Perspectives of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Public Health Experts, and HIV Service Providers. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:897-907. [PMID: 33001353 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03049-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The HIV care continuum (HCC), comprised of five steps (screening, linkage to care, treatment initiation, retention, and viral suppression), is used to monitor treatment delivery to people living with HIV (PLWH). The HCC has primarily focused on large urban or metropolitan areas where the situation may differ from that in smaller cities. Three themes (i.e., knowledge, stigma, stability) that shaped HCC outcomes were identified from analysis of two qualitative studies involving HIV service providers, public health experts, and PLWH in smaller cities of southern New England. The findings suggest that enhancing HCC outcomes require a multiprong approach that targets both the individual and organizational levels and includes interventions to increase health literacy, staff communication skills, universal screening to assess patients' religiosity/spirituality and supplemental service needs. Interventions that further ensure patient confidentiality and the co-location and coordination of HIV and other healthcare services are particularly important in smaller cities.
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Boothe MAS, Sathane I, Baltazar CS, Chicuecue N, Horth R, Fazito E, Raymond HF. Low engagement in HIV services and progress through the treatment cascade among key populations living with HIV in Mozambique: alarming gaps in knowledge of status. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:146. [PMID: 33451344 PMCID: PMC7811257 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-10039-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mozambique has a generalized HIV epidemic of 13.5% among the general population. Early modeling exercises in Mozambique estimate that key populations (KP), defined as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), and people who inject drugs (PWID), along with their partners account for about one third of all new infections. There is limited data describing the engagement of KP living with HIV in testing, care and treatment services. Methods We conducted a secondary data analysis of HIV-positive participants in the first Bio-behavioral Surveillance (BBS) surveys in Mozambique conducted 2011–2014 in order to assess service uptake and progress though the HIV treatment cascade among MSM, FSW, and PWID. Unweighted pooled estimates were calculated for each key population group. Results Among HIV-positive MSM, 63.2% of participants had ever received an HIV test, 8.8% were aware of their status, 6.1% reported having been linked to care, while 3.5% initiated ART and were currently on treatment. Of the HIV-infected FSW participants, 76.5% reported a previous HIV test and 22.4% were previously aware of their status. Linkage to care was reported by 20.1%, while 12.7% reported having initiated ART and 11.8% reported being on treatment at the time of the survey. Among HIV-infected PWID participants, 79.9% had previously received an HIV test, 63.2% were aware of their HIV status, and 49.0% reported being linked to care for their HIV infection. ART initiation was reported by 42.7% of participants, while 29.4% were on ART at the time of the survey. Conclusion Among the three high risk populations in Mozambique, losses occurred throughout critical areas of service uptake with the most alarming breakpoint occurring at knowledge of HIV status. Special attention should be given to increasing HIV testing and linkage to ART treatment. Future surveys will provide the opportunity to monitor improvements across the cascade in line with global targets and should include viral load testing to guarantee a more complete picture of the treatment cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makini A S Boothe
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California (UCSF), San Francisco, USA. .,Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Isabel Sathane
- The National Program of the Control of STIs and HIV/AIDS, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Cynthia Semá Baltazar
- Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.,National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique
| | - Noela Chicuecue
- Ghent University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roberta Horth
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California (UCSF), San Francisco, USA
| | - Erika Fazito
- ICAP, Columbia University, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Henry F Raymond
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California (UCSF), San Francisco, USA.,School of Public Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, USA
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Nyagadza B, Kudya N, Mbofana E, Masaka S, Garone D, Chen CY, Mulingwa A, Uzande C, Isaakidis P, Ndlovu Z. Scaling up HIV viral load monitoring in Manicaland, Zimbabwe: challenges and opportunities from the field. Public Health Action 2019; 9:177-181. [PMID: 32042612 DOI: 10.5588/pha.19.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Demand for viral load (VL) monitoring is expected to increase; however, implementation of the multifaceted VL testing poses numerous challenges. We report experiences from Médecins Sans Frontiéres (MSF) and partners in the scale-up of HIV VL in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) of Zimbabwe. Methods A retrospective data review of routine reports from MSF-supported health facilities in Manicaland Province (Zimbabwe) was conducted. These secondary aggregate data were triangulated, and emerging themes of lessons learnt from VL monitoring were shared. Results A VL testing coverage of 63% (5966/9456) was achieved among the 40 health facilities, together with a switch rate to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) of 46.4% (108/233). The key enablers to scaling-up the VL monitoring were well-equipped and supported VL laboratories, the operationalisation of the on-the-job clinical mentoring and systematic weaning off of better performing health facilities. Concerted efforts from different implementing partners and funders in the HIV programme, and close collaboration with MoHCC were pivotal. Conclusion Our experience indicates that clinical mentoring is effective, and resulted in high VL testing coverage and up-skilling primary health care workers in VL monitoring. Attention must be focused on innovations for improving VL result utilisation, especially the identification and management of patients who fail ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Nyagadza
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mutare, Zimbabwe
| | - N Kudya
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mutare, Zimbabwe
| | - E Mbofana
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mutare, Zimbabwe
| | - S Masaka
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Mutare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - A Mulingwa
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe
| | - C Uzande
- Ministry of Health and Child Care, Zimbabwe
| | - P Isaakidis
- MSF, Southern Africa Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Z Ndlovu
- MSF, Southern Africa Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa
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Lurie MN, Kirwa K, Callaway J, Cornell M, Boulle A, Bengtson AM, Smith M, Leon N, Colvin C. Quantifying the HIV treatment cascade in a South African health sub-district by gender: retrospective cohort study. Trop Med Int Health 2019; 25:186-192. [PMID: 31698524 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify the HIV care cascade in a Cape Town sub-district to understand rates of linkage to and engagement in HIV care. METHODS We used routinely collected data to reconstruct the treatment cascade for 8382 infected individuals who tested HIV + in 2012/2013. We obtained data on patient gender, year of initial HIV-positive test, age at testing and initial CD4 cell count and defined five stages of the HIV care cascade. We quantified attrition across cascade stages. RESULTS Two-thirds of the sample (5646) were women. Men were older at time of first testing (36.5 vs. 31.3 years) and had more advanced HIV disease at diagnosis (298 vs. 404 CD4 cells/µL for women). The median duration of follow-up was 818 days. Among women, 90.5% attended an initial HIV care visit, 54.6% became eligible for antiretroviral therapy under local guidelines during follow-up, 49.3% initiated ART and 45.6% achieved a therapeutic response. Among men, 88.0% attended an initial HIV care visit, 67.4% became ART eligible during follow-up, 48.0% initiated ART and 42.4% achieved a therapeutic response. Approximately 3% of women and 5% of men died during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS We were able to reconstruct the HIV treatment cascade using routinely collected data. In this setting, rates of engagement in care differ by gender in key stages of the cascade, with men faring worse than women at each cascade point. This highlights the need for interventions aimed at encouraging earlier testing, linkage, ART initiation and retention among men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Kipruto Kirwa
- Department of Environmental Health, Tufts University, Medford, OR, USA
| | - Julia Callaway
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Morna Cornell
- Department of Health, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Department of Health, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Mariette Smith
- Department of Health, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Natalie Leon
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christopher Colvin
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Ghalehkhani N, Farhoudi B, Gouya MM, Sharifi H, SeyedAlinaghi S, Kamali K, Fahimfar N, Rajabpour Z, Doosti-Irani A, Sedaghat A, Mirzazadeh A. The HIV treatment cascade in people living with HIV in Iran in 2014: Mixed-method study to measure losses and reasons. Int J STD AIDS 2019; 30:1257-1264. [PMID: 31558135 PMCID: PMC7008700 DOI: 10.1177/0956462419867573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The study assessed the HIV treatment cascade of people living with HIV (PLWH) in Iran and the reasons for gaps in HIV services in 2014. We did the cascade analysis using the WHO HIV test-treat-retain cascade analysis tool (2014). To measure the gaps, we check the records for all PLWH reported to the national HIV surveillance till September 2014 to define how many were alive, linked to HIV care, assessed for CD4 count, started antiretroviral therapy (ART), and reported to be alive up to five years after ART. To assess the reasons for gaps in the cascade, we ran desk review, four focus group discussions (FGD) and fifty one in-depth interviews with key informants including PLWH. Spectrum model estimated 75,700 PLWH in Iran, of whom, only 22,647 people (%30) were diagnosed. Of those who were diagnosed with HIV, 16,266 people (%72) enrolled in HIV care. About 13% of all PLWH retained in HIV care and only 9% (6,745 people) had ever tested for CD4 count. Only 8% (6,018 people) of all PLWH received ART by September 2014. We found the biggest gap in the HIV treatment cascade to be HIV diagnosis as only 30% of PLWH have been diagnosed. Innovative strategies to improve HIV testing, particularly those work best for key populations, is critical to reach the 90–90-90 targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Ghalehkhani
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Behnam Farhoudi
- Clinical Research Development Center, Amiralmomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Hamid Sharifi
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - SeyedAhmad SeyedAlinaghi
- Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kianoosh Kamali
- HIV/AIDS Control Office, Center for Communicable Disease, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nooshin Fahimfar
- HIV/AIDS Control Office, Center for Communicable Disease, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Rajabpour
- HIV/AIDS Control Office, Center for Communicable Disease, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amin Doosti-Irani
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Research Center for Health Sciences, Hamadan university of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Ali Mirzazadeh
- HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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11
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Pennar AL, Dark T, Simpson KN, Gurung S, Cain D, Fan C, Parsons JT, Naar S. Cascade Monitoring in Multidisciplinary Adolescent HIV Care Settings: Protocol for Utilizing Electronic Health Records. JMIR Res Protoc 2019; 8:e11185. [PMID: 31148543 PMCID: PMC6658287 DOI: 10.2196/11185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Past research shows that youth living with HIV (YLH) are not as engaged in the HIV treatment cascade as other HIV-positive populations. To achieve the health benefits of rapid and widespread testing and advanced pharmacologic treatment, YLH must be fully engaged in every stage of the treatment cascade. Cascade monitoring provides an opportunity to assess the youth care cascade, including engagement in care and when youth commonly drop out of care, across 10 clinical sites in the United States. Collecting electronic health record (EHR) data for prevention and care across participant recruitment venues within the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN) allows for monitoring of the prevention and care cascades within the ATN, for comparing the ATN population to large-scale surveillance, for future integration of technology-based interventions into EHRs, and for informing ATN strategic planning. OBJECTIVE The aim of this protocol study is to examine the trends in treatment cascade, including whether patients are receiving antiretroviral therapy, adhering to regimens, attending care appointments, and maintaining suppressed viral loads, to guide new protocol development and to facilitate community engagement. This protocol is part of the ATN Scale It Up (SIU) program described in this issue. METHODS Deidentified EHR data of YLH, aged 15 to 24 years, will be collected annually (2017 to 2022) from 10 ATN clinical sites, resulting in patient data from 2016 to 2021. These data will be transferred and stored using Dropbox Business, a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant site and then analyzed by the SIU analytic core. RESULTS This study was launched in December 2017 in 10 clinical sites, with 2016's EHR data due on January 31, 2017. All 10 sites electronically uploaded their EHR data. The mandatory variables requested to monitor cascade of care include date of visit, age, gender, height, weight, race, ethnicity, viral load, and International Classification of Diseases codes for other diagnosis. In total, 70% of the sites provided data for all mandatory variables. The remaining mandatory variables were manually extracted. CONCLUSIONS This study will provide a platform to determine how YLH across the nation progress through or drop out of the HIV treatment cascade. It will also provide a foundation for assessing impact of SIU projects on treatment cascade outcomes. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/11185.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Pennar
- College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Tyra Dark
- College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Kit N Simpson
- Department of Healthcare Leadership and Management, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sitaji Gurung
- Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Demetria Cain
- Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carolyn Fan
- Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jeffrey T Parsons
- Center for HIV Educational Studies and Training, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Hunter College Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Health Psychology and Clinical Science Doctoral Program, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sylvie Naar
- College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
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12
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Hawk M, Maulsby C, Enobun B, Kinsky S. HIV Treatment Cascade by Housing Status at Enrollment: Results from a Retention in Care Cohort. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:765-775. [PMID: 30334234 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2295-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Though housing instability is linked to poor HIV health outcomes, studies that assess the HIV treatment cascade by housing status are limited. Using data from a multi-site Retention in Care initiative we constructed HIV treatment cascades for participants (n = 463) of five grantee sites. We found no significant differences in viral suppression at follow-up among participants who were unstably housed at enrollment (49%) as compared to those who were stably housed at enrollment (54%). Among participants with available data at 6- or 12-month follow-up, 94% were engaged in care, 90% were retained in, 94% were on ART, and 71% had suppressed viral load. Some site-level differences were noted; at two of the sites participants who were stably housed were more likely to be retained in care and on ART. Overall, findings demonstrated that participants moved successfully through the HIV treatment cascade regardless of housing status at enrollment, suggesting that evidence-based support and services to help people living with HIV/AIDS can help mitigate barriers to engagement in care associated with lack of stable housing.
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13
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Maughan-Brown B, Harrison A, Galárraga O, Kuo C, Smith P, Bekker LG, Lurie MN. Factors affecting linkage to HIV care and ART initiation following referral for ART by a mobile health clinic in South Africa: evidence from a multimethod study. J Behav Med 2019; 42:883-897. [PMID: 30635862 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-018-0005-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Linkage to care from mobile clinics is often poor and inadequately understood. This multimethod study assessed linkage to care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) uptake following ART-referral by a mobile clinic in Cape Town (2015/2016). Clinic record data (N = 86) indicated that 67% linked to care (i.e., attended a clinic) and 42% initiated ART within 3 months. Linkage to care was positively associated with HIV-status disclosure intentions (aOR: 2.99, 95% CI 1.13-7.91), and treatment readiness (aOR: 2.97, 95% CI 1.05-8.34); and negatively with good health (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.13-0.99), weekly alcohol consumption (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.12-0.98), and internalised stigma (aOR: 0.32, 95% CI 0.11-0.91). Following linkage, perceived stigma negatively affected ART-initiation. In-depth interviews (N = 41) elucidated fears about ART side-effects, HIV-status denial, and food insecurity as barriers to ART initiation; while awareness of positive ART-effects, follow-up telephone counselling, familial responsibilities, and maintaining health to avoid involuntary disclosure were motivating factors. Results indicate that an array of interventions are required to encourage rapid ART-initiation following mobile clinic HIV-testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Maughan-Brown
- Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU), University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa.
| | - Abigail Harrison
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice (HSPP), Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Caroline Kuo
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Philip Smith
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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14
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Cheong J, Tucker JA, Chandler SD. Reasons for Accepting and Declining Free HIV Testing and Counseling Among Young African American Women Living in Disadvantaged Southern Urban Communities. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2019; 33:25-31. [PMID: 30328693 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2018.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Advancing HIV prevention and treatment among at-risk Southern communities of color requires understanding why voluntary HIV testing is accepted or declined. Reasons for testing decisions were investigated among young African American women (n = 223, mean age = 20.4 years) recruited from disadvantaged areas in a Southern US city. A free HIV test was offered following field interviews that assessed HIV risk behaviors and personal and social network characteristics; 69.1% accepted testing, and all were seronegative. After their decision, participants rated reasons for their choice, which were factor analyzed. A four-factor solution showed that test acceptance was related to (1) current sexual relationships and HIV risk concerns, (2) knowledge of HIV medical treatment benefits, (3) awareness of persons living with HIV, and (4) health protection and HIV test convenience. A three-factor solution showed that test refusal was related to (1) negative consequences of a positive test and privacy concerns, (2) low perception of HIV risk, and (3) anticipated social rejection if the test was positive. Comparisons of factor-based average item scores showed that health protection/HIV test convenience was rated as most influential in test acceptance decisions, whereas low perception of HIV risks was rated as most influential in test rejection decisions. The findings suggest that test acceptance can be promoted by offering free, convenient HIV testing as a health check in a testing context that assesses and provides feedback about participants' HIV risk levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- JeeWon Cheong
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville. Florida
| | - Jalie A. Tucker
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville. Florida
| | - Susan D. Chandler
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville. Florida
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15
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Jin H, Restar A, Biello K, Kuhns L, Reisner S, Garofalo R, Mimiaga MJ. Burden of HIV among young transgender women: factors associated with HIV infection and HIV treatment engagement. AIDS Care 2018; 31:125-130. [PMID: 30380926 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1539213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Young transgender women (YTW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, however, little is known about the factors associated with HIV infection and treatment engagement. We examined correlates of HIV infection and the steps of the HIV treatment cascade, specifically, being aware of their HIV infection, linked to care, on ART, and adherent to ART. We analyzed the baseline data of Project LifeSkills, a randomized control trial of sexually active YTW recruited from Chicago, Illinois and Boston, Massachusetts. We conducted multivariable Poisson regressions to evaluate correlates of HIV infection and the steps of the HIV treatment cascade. Nearly a quarter (24.7%) of YTW were HIV-infected. Among HIV-infected YTW, 86.2% were aware of their HIV status, 72.3% were linked to care, 56.9% were on ART, and 46.2% were adherent to ART. Having avoided healthcare due to cost in the past 12 months and not having a primary care provider were associated with suboptimal engagement in HIV care. Our results suggest that improving linkage and retention in care by addressing financial barriers and improving access to primary care providers could significantly improve health outcomes of YTW as well as reduce forward transmission of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Jin
- a Department of Epidemiology , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
| | - Arjee Restar
- b Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
| | - Katie Biello
- a Department of Epidemiology , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA.,b Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
| | - Lisa Kuhns
- c Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine , Northwestern University , Chicago , USA
| | - Sari Reisner
- d Division of General Pediatrics , Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston , USA
| | - Robert Garofalo
- e Division of Adolescent Medicine , Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago , Chicago , USA
| | - Matthew J Mimiaga
- a Department of Epidemiology , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA.,b Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences , Brown University School of Public Health , Providence , USA
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16
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Ikeda DJ, Hollander L, Weigl S, Sawicki SV, Belanger DR, West NY, Brey Magnani N, Wells CG, Gordon P, Morne J, Agins BD. The Facility-Level HIV Treatment Cascade: Using a Population Health Tool in Health Care Facilities to End the Epidemic in New York State. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy254. [PMID: 30386808 PMCID: PMC6202506 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The HIV treatment cascade is a tool for characterizing population-level gaps in HIV care, yet most adaptations of the cascade rely on surveillance data that are ill-suited to drive quality improvement (QI) activities at the facility level. We describe the adaptation of the cascade in health care organizations and report its use by HIV medical providers in New York State (NYS). Methods As part of data submissions to the NYS Department of Health, sites that provide HIV medical care in NYS developed cascades using facility-generated data. Required elements included data addressing identification of people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving any service at the facility, linkage to HIV medical care, prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and viral suppression (VS). Sites also submitted a methodology report summarizing how cascade data were collected and an improvement plan identifying care gaps. Results Two hundred twenty-two sites submitted cascades documenting the quality of care delivered to HIV patients presenting for HIV- or non-HIV-related services during 2016. Of 101 341 PLWH presenting for any medical care, 75 106 were reported as active in HIV programs, whereas 21 509 had no known care status. Sites reported mean ART prescription and VS rates of 94% and 80%, respectively, and 60 distinct QI interventions. Conclusions Submission of facility-level cascades provides data on care utilization among PLWH that cannot be assessed through traditional HIV surveillance efforts. Moreover, the facility-level cascade represents an effective tool for identifying care gaps, focusing data-driven improvement efforts, and engaging frontline health care providers to achieve epidemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Ikeda
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York.,HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Leah Hollander
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | - Susan Weigl
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | - Steven V Sawicki
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | - Daniel R Belanger
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | - Nova Y West
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | | | | | - Peter Gordon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Johanne Morne
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York
| | - Bruce D Agins
- New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, New York, New York.,HEALTHQUAL, Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.,Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, New York.,Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York
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17
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Ostermann J, Pence B, Whetten K, Yao J, Itemba D, Maro V, Reddy E, Thielman N. HIV serostatus disclosure in the treatment cascade: evidence from Northern Tanzania. AIDS Care 2018; 27 Suppl 1:59-64. [PMID: 26616126 PMCID: PMC4685596 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1090534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
HIV serostatus disclosure plays an important role in HIV transmission risk reduction and is positively associated with HIV medication adherence and treatment outcomes. However, to date, no study has quantified the role of disclosure across the HIV treatment cascade, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. We used data from a cohort of HIV-infected adults in Northern Tanzania to describe associations between disclosure and engagement and retention in the HIV treatment cascade. Between 2008 and 2009, the Coping with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania (CHAT) study enrolled 260 clients newly diagnosed with HIV and 492 HIV-infected patients in established HIV care in two large HIV care and treatment centers in Northern Tanzania. Participants aged 18 and older completed annual clinical assessments and twice-annual in-person interviews for 3.5 years. Using logistic regression models, we assessed sociodemographic correlates of HIV serostatus disclosure to at least one household member, and associations between this disclosure measure and linkage to care, evaluation for antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligibility, ART coverage, and rates of undetectable HIV RNA levels during the follow-up period. Married individuals and those diagnosed earlier were more likely to have disclosed their HIV infection to at least one household member. During follow-up, HIV serostatus disclosure was associated with higher rates of linkage to care, evaluation for ART eligibility, and ART coverage. No significant association was observed with rates of undetectable viral loads. Marginal effects estimates suggest that a 10 percentage-point lower probability of linkage to care for those who did not disclose their HIV serostatus (86% vs. 96%; p = 0.035) was compounded by an 18 percentage-point lower probability of ever receiving a CD4 count (62% vs. 80%; p = .039), and a 20 percentage-point lower probability of ever receiving ART (55% vs. 75%; p = .029). If causal, these findings suggest an important role for disclosure assistance efforts across the HIV treatment cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Ostermann
- a Duke Global Health Institute , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,b Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,c Department of Health Services Policy and Management , University of South Carolina , Columbia , SC , USA
| | - Brian Pence
- b Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,d Department of Epidemiology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Kathryn Whetten
- a Duke Global Health Institute , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,b Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,e Duke Sanford School of Public Policy , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA
| | - Jia Yao
- b Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,f ADAPT Center for Cognitive/Affective Symptom Science , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA
| | | | - Venance Maro
- h Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center , Moshi , Tanzania
| | | | - Nathan Thielman
- a Duke Global Health Institute , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,b Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.,j School of Medicine , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA
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18
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Maughan-Brown B, Smith P, Kuo C, Harrison A, Lurie MN, Bekker LG, Galárraga O. A Conditional Economic Incentive Fails to Improve Linkage to Care and Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among HIV-Positive Adults in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2018; 32:70-78. [PMID: 29432045 PMCID: PMC5808383 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2017.0238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Interventions to improve antiretroviral therapy (ART) access are urgently needed to maximize the multiple benefits from ART. This pilot study examined the effect of a conditional economic incentive on linkage to care and uptake of treatment following ART referral by a mobile health clinic. Between April 2015 and May 2016, 86 individuals (≥18 years old) referred for ART in a resource-limited setting were randomized (1:1) to a control group or to an incentive: R300 cash (∼$23, or 3.5 days minimum wage in the domestic worker sector), conditional upon starting ART within 3 months. Outcome data were obtained from clinic records. The incentive effects on linkage to care (first clinic visit within 3 months) and ART initiation (treatment uptake within 3 months) were assessed using logistic regression. Overall, 67% linked to care and 42% initiated ART within 3 months after referral. No significant differences were found between the incentive and non-incentive group in terms of linkage to care [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26-1.91] and initiation of ART (aOR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.26-1.78). Ordinary least-squares regression analysis showed that incentivized individuals linked to care in fewer days (-7.9, 95% CI: -18.09 to 2.26) and started treatment in fewer days (-7.3, 95% CI: -27.01 to 12.38), but neither result was statistically significant. Our findings demonstrate poor treatment uptake by both the intervention and control participants and further highlight the challenge in achieving universal early treatment access. Further research is required to understand how economic incentives, which have been shown to have many benefits, can be applied to improve linkage to HIV care and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Maughan-Brown
- Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU), University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Philip Smith
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Caroline Kuo
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Abigail Harrison
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Mark N. Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Linda-Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Omar Galárraga
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice (HSPP), Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island
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Bazazi AR, Vijay A, Crawford FW, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. HIV Testing and awareness of HIV status among people who inject drugs in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AIDS Care 2017; 30:59-64. [PMID: 28803503 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1363852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing services are the gateway into HIV treatment and are critical for monitoring the epidemic. HIV testing is recommended at least annually in high-risk populations, including people who inject drugs (PWID). In Malaysia, the HIV epidemic is concentrated among PWID, but their adherence to testing recommendations and the proportion of HIV-positive PWID who are aware of their status remain unknown. We recruited 460 PWID in Greater Kuala Lumpur using respondent-driven sampling and conducted HIV testing. We examined past testing behaviors, estimating testing frequency, correlates of testing in the past 12 months, and the proportion of those living with HIV who were aware of their status. Results showed that most PWID living with HIV (90.4%, 95% CI: 83.6%-95.9%) were aware of their status. Among those never previously diagnosed with HIV, few had accessed HIV testing in the past 12 months (14.3%, 95% CI: 11.1%-18.0%). Prison (57.0%) and compulsory drug detention centers (36.1%) were the primary locations where PWID reported ever being HIV tested, and the main correlate of recent testing in regression was recent criminal justice involvement. Although awareness of HIV status may be high among PWID living with HIV in Kuala Lumpur, testing occurs primarily in prisons and compulsory drug detention centers, where it is involuntary and linkage to care is limited. A shift in HIV testing policy is needed to align health and human rights objectives, replacing mandatory testing with voluntary testing in settings where individuals can be rapidly linked to HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Bazazi
- a Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,b Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Aishwarya Vijay
- a Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Forrest W Crawford
- c Department of Biostatistics , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Robert Heimer
- b Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Adeeba Kamarulzaman
- a Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,d Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
| | - Frederick L Altice
- a Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program , Yale School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA.,b Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases , Yale School of Public Health , New Haven , CT , USA.,d Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA) , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
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20
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Daniels J, Lane T, Struthers H, Maleke K, Moges W, McIntyre J, Coates T. Assessing the Feasibility of Smartphone Apps for HIV-Care Research with MSM and Transgender Individuals in Mpumalanga, South Africa. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2017; 16:433-439. [PMID: 28791915 DOI: 10.1177/2325957417724207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop the HIV treatment cascade for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals in rural Mpumalanga, South Africa. Mhealth tools such as smartphone applications have the potential to support HIV self-care behaviors. We conducted an exploratory study with HIV-positive community leaders to understand their current uses of cell phones and smartphones and to assess their interest in an HIV research study that utilized a smartphone application for HIV care support. A total of 18 community leaders were recruited to complete a questionnaire and focus group. We found that a large proportion of participants had smartphone access and were interested in a research study that utilized a smartphone application with secure access measures. We conclude that smartphone applications for HIV care research are feasible based on access and interest by MSM and transgender individuals in this rural setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Daniels
- 1 Department of Health Sciences, Lehman College, The City University of New York, USA
| | - Tim Lane
- 2 Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Kabelo Maleke
- 3 Anova Health Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Winta Moges
- 4 Program in Public Health, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, USA
| | - James McIntyre
- 5 School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thomas Coates
- 6 Center for World Health, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA
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21
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Kay ES, Batey DS, Mugavero MJ. The HIV treatment cascade and care continuum: updates, goals, and recommendations for the future. AIDS Res Ther 2016; 13:35. [PMID: 27826353 PMCID: PMC5100316 DOI: 10.1186/s12981-016-0120-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV care continuum is a framework that models the dynamic stages of HIV care. The continuum consists of five main steps, which, at the population level, are depicted cross-sectionally as the HIV treatment cascade. These steps include diagnosis, linkage to care (LTC), retention in care (RiC), adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and viral suppression. Although the HIV treatment cascade is represented as a linear, unidirectional framework, persons living with HIV (PLWH) often experience the care continuum in a less streamlined fashion, skip steps altogether, or even exit the continuum for a period of time and regress to an earlier stage. The proportion of PLWH decreases at each successive step of the cascade, beginning with an estimated 86% who are diagnosed and dropping dramatically to approximately 30% of PLWH who are virally suppressed in the United States (US). In this current issues review, we describe each step in the cascade, discuss targeted interventions that address weak points in the continuum, review domestic and international policies that help shape and direct HIV care strategies, and conclude with recommendations and future directions for HIV providers and policymakers. While we primarily examine issues related to domestic HIV care in the US, we also discuss international applications of the continuum in order to provide broader context.
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Medland NA, McMahon JH, Chow EPF, Elliott JH, Hoy JF, Fairley CK. The HIV care cascade: a systematic review of data sources, methodology and comparability. J Int AIDS Soc 2015; 18:20634. [PMID: 26626715 PMCID: PMC4666907 DOI: 10.7448/ias.18.1.20634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The cascade of HIV diagnosis, care and treatment (HIV care cascade) is increasingly used to direct and evaluate interventions to increase population antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, a key component of treatment as prevention. The ability to compare cascades over time, sub-population, jurisdiction or country is important. However, differences in data sources and methodology used to construct the HIV care cascade might limit its comparability and ultimately its utility. Our aim was to review systematically the different methods used to estimate and report the HIV care cascade and their comparability. METHODS A search of published and unpublished literature through March 2015 was conducted. Cascades that reported the continuum of care from diagnosis to virological suppression in a demographically definable population were included. Data sources and methods of measurement or estimation were extracted. We defined the most comparable cascade elements as those that directly measured diagnosis or care from a population-based data set. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Thirteen reports were included after screening 1631 records. The undiagnosed HIV-infected population was reported in seven cascades, each of which used different data sets and methods and could not be considered to be comparable. All 13 used mandatory HIV diagnosis notification systems to measure the diagnosed population. Population-based data sets, derived from clinical data or mandatory reporting of CD4 cell counts and viral load tests from all individuals, were used in 6 of 12 cascades reporting linkage, 6 of 13 reporting retention, 3 of 11 reporting ART and 6 of 13 cascades reporting virological suppression. Cascades with access to population-based data sets were able to directly measure cascade elements and are therefore comparable over time, place and sub-population. Other data sources and methods are less comparable. CONCLUSIONS To ensure comparability, countries wishing to accurately measure the cascade should utilize complete population-based data sets from clinical data from elements of a centralized healthcare setting, where available, or mandatory CD4 cell count and viral load test result reporting. Additionally, virological suppression should be presented both as percentage of diagnosed and percentage of estimated total HIV-infected population, until methods to calculate the latter have been standardized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas A Medland
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;
| | - James H McMahon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Julian H Elliott
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jennifer F Hoy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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