Acceptability of a new 4-in-1 Abacavir/Lamivudine/Lopinavir/Ritonavir
paediatric fixed-dose combination: the caregiver–child dyads’
perspective.
Ther Adv Infect Dis 2023;
10:20499361231159993. [PMID:
36968554 PMCID:
PMC10031622 DOI:
10.1177/20499361231159993]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background:
Worldwide, 1.7 million children younger than 15 years were living with HIV in
2021. Only 52% of them had access to antiretrovirals (ARVs). Lack of
age-appropriate ARV formulations (i.e. easy to swallow for young infants,
acceptable taste) remains the main obstacle to the access to ARVs.
Therefore, a strawberry-flavoured Abacavir/Lamivudine/Lopinavir/Ritonavir
(30/15/40/10 mg) fixed-dose combination of granules in a capsule (4-in-1)
for children living with HIV weighing 3–25 kg was developed.
Objective:
We assessed caregivers’ perceived acceptability of the 4-in-1 compared with
previous paediatric ARV formulations and factors influencing
acceptability.
Methods:
This exploratory qualitative case study embedded in a phase I/II, open-label,
randomized cross-over pharmacokinetic, safety and acceptability study
(LOLIPOP) was conducted in three sites in Uganda (May 2019–October 2020).
Thirty-six children weighing between 3 and 19.9 kg participated in the main
study. We purposively sampled caregiver–child dyads according to weight
bands, and conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with caregivers and 5
with healthcare providers. We triangulated these results with a quantitative
acceptability questionnaire. We analysed interviews inductively using
NVivo12 adopting a thematic analysis approach and acceptability
questionnaires descriptively to assess concordance between them.
Results:
All caregivers found the 4-in-1 formulation highly acceptable and easier to
use than previous formulations (i.e. pellets/tables/syrup). Appealing taste,
ease of administration, easy storage and children’s acceptance contributed
to acceptability despite structural challenges of food shortage and HIV
stigma. Visible improvements in children’s health and comprehensive and
tailored healthcare provider support to overcome initial difficulties such
as vomiting increased caregivers’ acceptance. Concordant results from
questionnaire- and interview-data confirmed high acceptability.
Conclusion:
Caregivers of children in all weight bands in this sample found the 4-in-1
granules highly acceptable compared with the pellets/tablets combination.
Healthcare providers’ support to caregivers allowed for individual tailoring
of drug administration despite challenges such as food shortage. This
enabled short-term adherence. These findings informed further practical
recommendations.
Registration:
Clinical trial number: NCT03836833
Collapse