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Mantell JE, Cooper D, Exner TM, Moodley J, Hoffman S, Myer L, Leu CS, Bai D, Kelvin EA, Jennings K, Stein ZA, Constant D, Zweigenthal V, Cishe N, Nywagi N. Emtonjeni-A Structural Intervention to Integrate Sexual and Reproductive Health into Public Sector HIV Care in Cape Town, South Africa: Results of a Phase II Study. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:905-922. [PMID: 27807792 PMCID: PMC5552040 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1562-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Integration of sexual and reproductive health within HIV care services is a promising strategy for increasing access to family planning and STI services and reducing unwanted pregnancies, perinatal HIV transmission and maternal and infant mortality among people living with HIV and their partners. We conducted a Phase II randomized futility trial of a multi-level intervention to increase adherence to safer sex guidelines among those wishing to avoid pregnancy and adherence to safer conception guidelines among those seeking conception in newly-diagnosed HIV-positive persons in four public-sector HIV clinics in Cape Town. Clinics were pair-matched and the two clinics within each pair were randomized to either a three-session provider-delivered enhanced intervention (EI) (onsite contraceptive services and brief milieu intervention for staff) or standard-of-care (SOC) provider-delivered intervention. The futility analysis showed that we cannot rule out the possibility that the EI intervention has a 10 % point or greater success rate in improving adherence to safer sex/safer conception guidelines than does SOC (p = 0.573), indicating that the intervention holds merit, and a larger-scale confirmatory study showing whether the EI is superior to SOC has merit.
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Affiliation(s)
- J E Mantell
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - D Cooper
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - T M Exner
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Moodley
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
- Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S Hoffman
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - L Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C-S Leu
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Joseph Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - D Bai
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Joseph Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - E A Kelvin
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - K Jennings
- City of Cape Town Department of Health, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Z A Stein
- Division of Gender, Sexuality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - D Constant
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - V Zweigenthal
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N Cishe
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - N Nywagi
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
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Cooper D, Mantell JE, Moodley J, Mall S. The HIV epidemic and sexual and reproductive health policy integration: views of South African policymakers. BMC Public Health 2015; 15:217. [PMID: 25879464 PMCID: PMC4389705 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-015-1577-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Integration of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV policies and services delivered by the same provider is prioritised worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV prevalence is highest. South Africa has the largest antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme in the world, with an estimated 2.7 million people on ART, elevating South Africa's prominence as a global leader in HIV treatment. In 2011, the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society published safer conception guidelines for people living with HIV (PLWH) and in 2013, the South African government published contraceptive guidelines highlighting the importance of SRH and fertility planning services for people living with HIV. Addressing unintended pregnancies, safer conception and maternal health issues is crucial for improving PLWH's SRH and combatting the global HIV epidemic. This paper explores South African policymakers' perspectives on public sector SRH-HIV policy integration, with a special focus on the need for national and regional policies on safer conception for PLWH and contraceptive guidelines implementation. METHODS It draws on 42 in-depth interviews with national, provincial and civil society policymakers conducted between 2008-2009 and 2011-2012, as the number of people on ART escalated. Interviews focused on three key domains: opinions on PLWH's childbearing; the status of SRH-HIV integration policies and services; and thoughts and suggestions on SRH-HIV integration within the restructuring of South African primary care services. Data were coded and analysed according to themes. RESULTS Participants supported SRH-HIV integrated policy and services. However, integration challenges identified included a lack of policy and guidelines, inadequately trained providers, vertical programming, provider work overload, and a weak health system. Participants acknowledged that SRH-HIV integration policies, particularly for safer conception, contraception and cervical cancer, had been neglected. Policymakers supported public sector adoption of safer conception policy and services. Participants interviewed after expanded ART were more positive about safer conception policies for PLWH than participants interviewed earlier. CONCLUSION The past decade's HIV policy changes have increased opportunities for SRH-HIV integration. The findings provide important insights for international, regional and national SRH-HIV policy and service integration initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Cooper
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
- School of Public Health, University of Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, South Africa.
| | - Joanne E Mantell
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Division of Gender, Sexuality, and Health, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Jennifer Moodley
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
- Cancer Research Initiative, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Sumaya Mall
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa.
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Steiner RJ, Finocchario-Kessler S, Dariotis JK. Engaging HIV care providers in conversations with their reproductive-age patients about fertility desires and intentions: a historical review of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Am J Public Health 2013; 103:1357-66. [PMID: 23763424 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Provider-initiated conversations with people living with HIV about reproductive plans are lacking. Providers must know whether their patients want to bear children to tailor treatment and refer for HIV preconception counseling to help achieve patients' reproductive goals while minimizing transmission to partners and children. The early focus on men who have sex with men largely excluded consideration of the epidemic's impact on reproductive health. We used a historical review of the US epidemic to describe the problem's scope and understand if this legacy underlies the current neglect of reproductive planning. Drawing on peer-reviewed literature, we discuss key themes relevant to assessing and understanding attention to desires for children among HIV-positive people. We conclude with recommendations for addressing persistent stigma and enhancing patient-provider communication about reproductive intentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riley J Steiner
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Cooper D, Moodley J, Zweigenthal V, Bekker LG, Shah I, Myer L. Fertility intentions and reproductive health care needs of people living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa: implications for integrating reproductive health and HIV care services. AIDS Behav 2009; 13 Suppl 1:38-46. [PMID: 19343492 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-009-9550-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2008] [Accepted: 03/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Tailoring sexual and reproductive health services to meet the needs of people living with the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV) is a growing concern but there are few insights into these issues where HIV is most prevalent. This cross-sectional study investigated the fertility intentions and associated health care needs of 459 women and men, not sampled as intimate partners of each other, living with HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. An almost equal proportion of women (55%) and men (43%) living with HIV, reported not intending to have children as were open to the possibility of having children (45 and 57%, respectively). Overall, greater intentions to have children were associated with being male, having fewer children, living in an informal settlement and use of antiretroviral therapy. There were important gender differences in the determinants of future childbearing intentions, with being on HAART strongly associated with women's fertility intentions. Gender differences were also apparent in participants' key reasons for wanting children. A minority of participants had discussed their reproductive intentions and related issues with HIV health care providers. There is an urgent need for intervention models to integrate HIV care with sexual and reproduction health counseling and services that account for the diverse reproductive needs of these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Cooper
- Women's Health Research Unit, School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road Observatory, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Gruskin S, Firestone R, Maccarthy S, Ferguson L. HIV and pregnancy intentions: do services adequately respond to women's needs? Am J Public Health 2008; 98:1746-50. [PMID: 18703432 PMCID: PMC2636477 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2008.137232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Too little is known about how an HIV diagnosis and access to care and treatment affect women's childbearing intentions. As access to antiretroviral therapy improves, greater numbers of HIV-positive women are living longer, healthier lives, and many want to have children. Effectively supporting women's reproductive decisionmaking in the context of HIV requires understanding how pregnancy, reproduction, and HIV intersect and asking questions that bridge the biomedical and social sciences. Considering women to be at the center of decisions on health policy and service delivery can help provide an appropriate constellation of services. A clear research agenda is needed to create a more coordinated approach to policies and programs supporting the pregnancy intentions of women with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Gruskin
- Program on International Health and Human Rights, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave, 1-1202, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Abstract
The impact of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) on male fertility is strongly dependent on the local prevalence of the STDs. In Western countries STD-infections are of minor relevance. In other regions, i.e. Africa or South East Asia, the situation appears to be different. Acute urethritis could not be associated with male infertility. Chronic infections (gonorrhoea) can cause urethral strictures and epididymo-orchitis. Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoea can be transmitted to the female partner and cause pelvic inflammatory disease with tubal obstruction. Ureaplasma urealyticum may impair spermatozoa (motility, DNA condensation). Trichomonas vaginalis has, if any, only minor influence on male fertility. The relevance of viral infections (HPV, HSV) for male infertility is not resolved. Any STD increases the chances of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The HIV infection is associated with infectious semen and the risk of virus transmission. Semen quality deteriorates with the progression of immunodeficiency. Special counselling of serodiscordant couples is needed. STDs should be treated early and adequately to prevent late sequelae for both men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- F R Ochsendorf
- Centre for Dermatology and Venerology, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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"Life is still going on": reproductive intentions among HIV-positive women and men in South Africa. Soc Sci Med 2007; 65:274-83. [PMID: 17451852 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This article reports on qualitative research investigating HIV positive individuals' reproductive intentions and their influencing factors in Cape Town, South Africa. In-depth interviews were held with 61 HIV positive women and men; at the time of interview, half had been receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for over 6 months and half were not receiving ART. Being HIV positive modified but did not remove reproductive desires, and diversity existed in reproductive intentions. Some HIV positive individuals wished to avoid pregnancy. Fears of partner and infant infection and having a previously infected baby were important factors deterring some individuals from considering having children. There was also strongly perceived community disapproval associated with HIV and reproduction. Strong desires to experience parenthood, mediated by prevailing social and cultural norms that encouraged childbearing in society more broadly, were reported by others. Motherhood was an important component of married women's identity and important for women's social status. Family, husbands' and societal expectations for childbearing were important influences on women's reproductive intentions, for some counterbalancing HIV as a factor discouraging reproduction. There was evidence that prevention of perinatal transmission programs in combination with ART may alter women and men's attitudes in favour of childbearing. Most HIV positive women had not discussed their reproductive desires and intentions with health care providers in HIV care or general health services because of anticipated negative reactions. The few who had done so perceived the counselling environment to be mostly unsupportive of open discussion on these issues. The findings highlight the need for explicit policies recognizing reproductive rights and choice. They support the need for health counselling and service interventions that advance safer and healthier reproductive options for HIV positive individuals in this region of the world which is experiencing a generalised and advanced HIV/AIDS pandemic.
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Myer L, Rabkin M, Abrams EJ, Rosenfield A, El-Sadr WM. Focus on Women: Linking HIV Care and Treatment with Reproductive Health Services in the MTCT-Plus Initiative. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH MATTERS 2005; 13:136-46. [PMID: 16035607 DOI: 10.1016/s0968-8080(05)25185-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite important advances in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy in the countries most heavily affected by HIV/AIDS, there has been little consideration of the connections between HIV prevention, care and treatment programmes and reproductive health services. In this paper, we explore the integration of reproductive health services into HIV care and treatment programmes. We review the design and progress of the MTCT-Plus Initiative, which provides HIV care and treatment services to HIV positive women as well as their HIV positive children and partners. By emphasising the long-term follow-up of families and the provision of comprehensive care across the spectrum of HIV disease, MTCT-Plus highlights the potential synergies in linking reproductive health services to HIV care and treatment programmes. While HIV care and treatment programmes in resource-limited settings may not be able to integrate all reproductive health services into a single service delivery model, there is a clear need to include basic reproductive health services, such as access to appropriate contraception and counselling and management of unplanned pregnancies. The integration of these services would be facilitated by greater insight into the reproductive choices of HIV positive women and men, and into how health care providers influence access to reproductive health services of people with HIV and AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Landon Myer
- Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.
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Garrido N, Meseguer M, Bellver J, Remohí J, Simón C, Pellicer A. Report of the results of a 2 year programme of sperm wash and ICSI treatment for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus serodiscordant couples. Hum Reprod 2004; 19:2581-6. [PMID: 15319386 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deh460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serodiscordant couples with the male infected can be helped to have children minimizing the transmission risk. Our aim was to evaluate the results of our assisted reproduction programme for these couples and to develop adequate strategies for their management. METHODS Members of serodiscordant couples: (i) HIV positive males attending our centre for sperm wash and assisted reproduction and (ii) HCV positive males needing assisted reproduction for infertility provided 134 semen samples for sperm wash. Before ICSI treatment, semen was confirmed to be negative for viral presence by reverse transcription and nested PCR after the sperm wash. RESULTS Sperm washes were effective in 90% of the samples. Regardless of the type of infection, no differences were found in semen quality, embryos obtained and pregnancy rates (40-48% per cycle). To date, 41 pregnancies and 23 newborns were obtained. Fertilization rates were lower in HCV than in HIV serodiscordant couples (59.3+/-5.3% versus 72.0+/-8.1%), probably because they were infertile couples for whom we recommended sperm wash and PCR. No seroconversion was detected in the patients' follow-up. CONCLUSIONS To date, sperm wash, nested PCR and ICSI is a safe and effective procedure that avoids HIV and HCV transmission with reasonable pregnancy rates, and is cost-effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Garrido
- IVI Valencia, Valencia, Valencia University School of Medicine, Valencia, Spain.
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