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Feldacker C, Klabbers RE, Huwa J, Kiruthu-Kamamia C, Thawani A, Tembo P, Chintedza J, Chiwaya G, Kudzala A, Bisani P, Ndhlovu D, Seyani J, Tweya H. The effect of proactive, interactive, two-way texting on 12-month retention in antiretroviral therapy: findings from a quasi-experimental study in Lilongwe, Malawi. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.26.24301855. [PMID: 38352345 PMCID: PMC10863037 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.26.24301855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Background Retaining clients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is challenging especially during the first year on ART. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions show promise to close retention gaps. We aimed to assess reach (who received the intervention?) and effectiveness (did it work?) of a hybrid two-way texting (2wT) intervention to improve ART retention at a large public clinic in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods Between August 2021 - June 2023, a quasi-experimental study compared outcomes between two cohorts of new ART clients: 1) those opting into 2wT with combined automated, weekly motivation short messaging service (SMS) messages and response-requested appointment reminders; and 2) a matched historical cohort receiving standard of care (SoC). Reach was defined as "the proportion clients ≤6 months of ART initiation eligible for 2wT". 2wT effectiveness was assessed in time-to-event analysis comparing Kaplan-Meier plots of 6- and 12-month retention between 2wT and SoC using a log-rank test. The effect of 2wT on ART drop out was estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for sex, age and WHO stage at ART initiation. Results Of the 1,146 clients screened, 645 were ineligible (56%) largely due to lack of phone access (393/645; 61%) and illiteracy (149/645; 23%): a reach of 44%. Among 468 2wT participants, the 12-month probability of ART retention was 91% (95%CI: 88% - 93%) compared to 75% (95%CI: 71% - 79%) among 468 SoC participants (p<0.0001). Compared to SoC participants, 2wT participants had a 62% lower hazard of dropping out of ART care at all time points (hazard ratio 0.38, 95% CI: 0.26-0.54; p<0.001). Conclusions Not all clients were reached with 2wT. For those who opted-in, 2wT reduced drop out throughout the first year on ART and significantly increased 12-month retention. The proactive 2wT approach should be expanded as a complement to other interventions in routine, low-resource settings to improve ART retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryl Feldacker
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Robin E. Klabbers
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Christine Kiruthu-Kamamia
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Seattle, WA, USA
- Lighthouse Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hannock Tweya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- International Training and Education Center for Health (I-TECH), Seattle, WA, USA
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Moolla H, Phillips A, Ten Brink D, Mudimu E, Stover J, Bansi-Matharu L, Martin-Hughes R, Wulan N, Cambiano V, Smith J, Bershteyn A, Meyer-Rath G, Jamieson L, Johnson LF. A quantitative assessment of the consistency of projections from five mathematical models of the HIV epidemic in South Africa: a model comparison study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2119. [PMID: 37891514 PMCID: PMC10612295 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16995-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mathematical models are increasingly used to inform HIV policy and planning. Comparing estimates obtained using different mathematical models can test the robustness of estimates and highlight research gaps. As part of a larger project aiming to determine the optimal allocation of funding for HIV services, in this study we compare projections from five mathematical models of the HIV epidemic in South Africa: EMOD-HIV, Goals, HIV-Synthesis, Optima, and Thembisa. METHODS The five modelling groups produced estimates of the total population, HIV incidence, HIV prevalence, proportion of people living with HIV who are diagnosed, ART coverage, proportion of those on ART who are virally suppressed, AIDS-related deaths, total deaths, and the proportion of adult males who are circumcised. Estimates were made under a "status quo" scenario for the period 1990 to 2040. For each output variable we assessed the consistency of model estimates by calculating the coefficient of variation and examining the trend over time. RESULTS For most outputs there was significant inter-model variability between 1990 and 2005, when limited data was available for calibration, good consistency from 2005 to 2025, and increasing variability towards the end of the projection period. Estimates of HIV incidence, deaths in people living with HIV, and total deaths displayed the largest long-term variability, with standard deviations between 35 and 65% of the cross-model means. Despite this variability, all models predicted a gradual decline in HIV incidence in the long-term. Projections related to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets were more consistent, with the coefficients of variation below 0.1 for all groups except children. CONCLUSIONS While models produced consistent estimates for several outputs, there are areas of variability that should be investigated. This is important if projections are to be used in subsequent cost-effectiveness studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haroon Moolla
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, 7925, Observatory, South Africa.
| | | | | | - Edinah Mudimu
- Department of Decision Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Bershteyn
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lise Jamieson
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leigh F Johnson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Cape Town, 7925, Observatory, South Africa
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Ross JM, Greene C, Bayer CJ, Dowdy DW, van Heerden A, Heitner J, Rao DW, Roberts DA, Shapiro AE, Zabinsky ZB, Barnabas RV. Preventing tuberculosis with community-based care in an HIV-endemic setting: a modeling analysis. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.21.23294380. [PMID: 37662260 PMCID: PMC10473784 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.21.23294380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and TB preventive treatment (TPT) both prevent tuberculosis (TB) disease and deaths among people living with HIV. Differentiated care models, including community-based care, can increase uptake of ART and TPT to prevent TB in settings with a high burden of HIV-associated TB, particularly among men. Methods We developed a gender-stratified dynamic model of TB and HIV transmission and disease progression among 100,000 adults ages 15-59 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We drew model parameters from a community-based ART initiation and resupply trial in sub-Saharan Africa (Delivery Optimization for Antiretroviral Therapy, DO ART) and other scientific literature. We simulated the impacts of community-based ART and TPT care programs during 2018-2027, assuming that community-based ART and TPT care were scaled up to similar levels as in the DO ART trial (i.e., ART coverage increasing from 49% to 82% among men and from 69% to 83% among women) and sustained for ten years. We projected the number of TB cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted relative to standard, clinic-based care. We calculated program costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios from the provider perspective. Results If community-based ART care could be implemented with similar effectiveness to the DO ART trial, increased ART coverage could reduce TB incidence by 27.0% (range 21.3% - 34.1%) and TB mortality by 36.0% (range 26.9% - 43.8%) after ten years. Increasing both ART and TPT uptake through community-based ART with TPT care could reduce TB incidence by 29.7% (range 23.9% - 36.0%) and TB mortality by 36.0% (range 26.9% - 43.8%). Community-based ART with TPT care reduced gender disparities in TB mortality rates by reducing TB mortality among men by a projected 39.8% (range 32.2% - 46.3%) and by 30.9% (range 25.3% - 36.5%) among women. Over ten years, the mean cost per DALY averted by community-based ART with TPT care was $846 USD (range $709 - $1,012). Conclusions By substantially increasing coverage of ART and TPT, community-based care for people living with HIV could reduce TB incidence and mortality in settings with high burdens of HIV-associated TB and reduce TB gender disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Ross
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Chelsea Greene
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Cara J. Bayer
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - David W. Dowdy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
- SAMRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jesse Heitner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | | | - D. Allen Roberts
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Adrienne E. Shapiro
- Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Zelda B. Zabinsky
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Ruanne V. Barnabas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Milali MP, Resar D, Kaftan D, Campbell J, Olowu A, Edwards D, Platais I, Kim HY, Jenkins S, Bershteyn A. Cost-effectiveness of the dual prevention pill for contraception and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2023; 5:1144217. [PMID: 37266447 PMCID: PMC10230827 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1144217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience the world's highest rates of both HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. The Dual Prevention Pill (DPP) is a novel multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) that co-formulates HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and combined hormonal oral contraception into a single daily pill. As a dual indication product, the DPP may be preferred by women facing these overlapping health risks. However, most SSA countries face severe healthcare resource constraints. Research is needed to assess whether, in what populations, and in what use cases the DPP would be cost-effective. Methods We augmented an agent-based SSA HIV model with maternal health parameters including unintended pregnancy, abortion, and maternal mortality. Based on a previous market analysis, we assumed a primary DPP user population of current oral contraceptive users ages 25-49, and alternative user populations in different risk groups (age 15-24, sex workers, HIV-serodiscordant couples) and baseline product use profiles (unmet need for contraception, oral PrEP use, condom use). In three geographies (western Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa), we estimated HIV infections averted, pregnancies averted, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) over a 30-year time horizon, assuming equivalent adherence to the DPP as to oral contraceptives, higher adherence, or lower adherence. Results The DPP is likely to be a cost-effective alternative to oral PrEP among users in need of contraception. Among women not already using PrEP, the DPP is likely to be cost-saving in sex workers and serodiscordant couples. The DPP is unlikely to be cost-effective in oral contraceptive users in the general population. Switching from oral contraception to the DPP could be net harmful in some settings and populations if it were to substantially reduces adherence to oral contraception. Results were robust to a range of time horizons or discount rates. Conclusion The DPP has the potential to be cost-effective and cost-saving in populations at substantial HIV risk. Outcomes are sensitive to adherence, implying that effective counseling and decision-making tools for users considering the DPP will be essential. More research is needed to understand real-life adherence patterns and ensure health benefits achieved from contraception alone are not lost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masabho P. Milali
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Danielle Resar
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Kaftan
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Adebanjo Olowu
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Danny Edwards
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ingrida Platais
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Sarah Jenkins
- Clinton Health Access Initiative, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Anna Bershteyn
- Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Masiano SP, Kawende B, Ravelomanana NLR, Green TL, Dahman B, Thirumurthy H, Kimmel AD, Yotebieng M. Economic costs and cost-effectiveness of conditional cash transfers for the uptake of services for the prevention of vertical HIV transmissions in a resource-limited setting. Soc Sci Med 2023; 320:115684. [PMID: 36696797 PMCID: PMC9975037 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) is critical for halting the HIV epidemic. However, innovative approaches to improve PMTCT uptake may be resource-intensive. We examined the economic costs and cost-effectiveness of conditional cash transfers (CCTs) for the uptake of PMTCT services in the Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS We leveraged data from a randomized controlled trial of CCTs (n = 216) versus standard PMTCT care alone (standard of care (SOC), n = 217). Economic cost data came from multiple sources, with costs analyzed from the societal perspective and reported in 2016 international dollars (I$). Effectiveness outcomes included PMTCT uptake (i.e., accepting all PMTCT visits and services) and retention (i.e., in HIV care at six weeks post-partum). Generalized estimating equations estimated effectiveness (relative risk) and incremental costs, with incremental effectiveness reported as the number of women needing CCTs for an additional PMTCT uptake or retention. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of the CCTs at various levels of willingness-to-pay and assessed uncertainty using deterministic sensitivity analysis and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves. RESULTS Mean costs per participant were I$516 (CCTs) and I$431 (SOC), representing an incremental cost of I$85 (95% CI: 59, 111). PMTCT uptake was more likely for CCTs vs SOC (68% vs 53%, p < 0.05), with seven women needing CCTs for each additional PMTCT service uptake; twelve women needed CCTs for an additional PMTCT retention. The incremental cost-effectiveness of CCTs vs SOC was I$595 (95% CI: I$550, I$638) for PMTCT uptake and I$1028 (95% CI: I$931, I$1125) for PMTCT retention. CCTs would be an efficient use of resources if society's willingness-to-pay for an additional woman who takes up PMTCT services is at least I$640. In the worst-case scenario, the findings remained relatively robust. CONCLUSIONS Given the relatively low cost of the CCTs, policies supporting CCTs may decrease onward HIV transmission and expedite progress toward ending the epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven P Masiano
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA; Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
| | - Bienvenu Kawende
- The University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The
| | - Noro Lantoniaina Rosa Ravelomanana
- The University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, 3300 Kossuth Ave, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
| | - Tiffany L Green
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA; Departments of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Bassam Dahman
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, USA; Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics, University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - April D Kimmel
- Department of Health Behavior and Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23219, USA.
| | - Marcel Yotebieng
- The University of Kinshasa, School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, The; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, 3300 Kossuth Ave, Bronx, NY, 10467, USA
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Nosyk B, Humphrey L. Highlighting the need for investment and innovation in ART retention interventions. THE LANCET GLOBAL HEALTH 2022; 10:e1218-e1219. [PMID: 35961333 PMCID: PMC10370491 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(22)00327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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