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Williams LD, van Heerden A, Friedman SR, Chibi B, Rodriguez WA, Memela P. Changes in Stigma and Social Support among Participants in a Randomized Trial of a Novel Expanded Social Network-based HIV Testing Intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04379-y. [PMID: 38833064 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04379-y] [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] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
HIV-related stigma is a well-documented barrier to HIV testing in South Africa, and may be particularly likely to create reluctance to test among South African men, who have reported feeling blamed for HIV by their partners and communities. The present study presents a novel expanded social network recruitment to HIV testing (E-SNRHT) intervention explicitly designed to reduce stigma as a barrier to testing by asking people to recruit anyone they know to testing, thus allowing them to avoid the potential for increased stigma and/or blame associated with direct risk partner recruitment, and helping to normalize openly discussing HIV among social networks. We examined baseline and 6-10-week follow-up data from a 2022-2023 randomized trial in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa that recruited 110 individuals who had been newly diagnosed with HIV and randomly assigned them to recruit people to HIV testing either via the E-SNRHT intervention or via risk network recruitment. Participants in the E-SNRHT intervention reported significant decreases in anticipated and enacted HIV-related stigma between baseline and follow-up; and the E-SNRHT intervention was more effective at decreasing enacted HIV-related stigma than was risk network recruitment. Individuals newly diagnosed with HIV by the E-SNRHT intervention reported significant increases in social support between intervention enrollment and follow-up, and all of these individuals reported participating in positive conversations about HIV services with peers in the 6-10 weeks after intervention enrollment. These findings suggest that E-SNRHT is a potentially important strategy to reduce HIV-related stigma as a barrier to HIV testing among peer networks in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie D Williams
- Division of Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Sweetwaters Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- SAMRC/WITS Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Buyisile Chibi
- Sweetwaters Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Wendy Avila Rodriguez
- Division of Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Phumlani Memela
- Sweetwaters Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Euvrard J, Timmerman V, Keene CM, Phelanyane F, Heekes A, Rice BD, Grimsrud A, Ehrenkranz P, Boulle A. The cyclical cascade of HIV care: Temporal care engagement trends within a population-wide cohort. PLoS Med 2024; 21:e1004407. [PMID: 38728361 PMCID: PMC11125544 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The traditional HIV treatment cascade aims to visualise the journey of each person living with HIV from diagnosis, through initiation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treatment success, represented by virological suppression. This representation has been a pivotal tool in highlighting and quantifying sequential gaps along the care continuum. There is longstanding recognition, however, that this may oversimplify the complexity of real-world engagement with HIV services in settings with mature high-burden HIV epidemics. A complementary "cyclical" cascade has been proposed to represent the processes of disengagement at different points on the care continuum, with multiple pathways to re-engagement, although the feasibility of implementing this at scale has been uncertain. This study aimed to populate, refine, and explore the utility of a cyclical representation of the HIV cascade, using routine data from a high-burden HIV setting. METHODS AND FINDINGS This observational cohort study leveraged person-level data on all people living with HIV in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa, who accessed public health services in the 2 years prior to 31 December 2023. Programme data from disease registers were complemented by data from pharmacy and laboratory systems. At study closure, 494 370 people were included, constituting 93% of those of those estimated to be living with HIV in the province, of whom 355 104 were on ART. Substantial disengagement from HIV care was evident at every point on the cascade. Early treatment emerged as a period of higher risk of disengagement, but it did not account for the majority of disengagement. Almost all those currently disengaged had prior experience of treatment. While re-engagement was also common, overall treatment coverage had increased slowly over 5 years. The transition to dolutegravir-based regimens was dramatic with good virological outcomes for those in care, notwithstanding a clearly discernible impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on viral load (VL) testing. People currently engaged and disengaged in care are similar with respect to age and gender. Those who died or disengaged recently were previously distributed across a range of cascade statuses, and a substantial proportion of those newly initiating and re-initiating treatment were no longer on treatment 6 months later. The main limitation of this study was incomplete evidence of HIV testing, linkage to HIV-specific services, and out-of-facility mortality. CONCLUSIONS Using routine data, it was possible to populate and automate a cyclical cascade of HIV care that continuously captured the nonlinear care journeys of individuals living with HIV. In this generalised mature HIV epidemic, most people are treatment experienced. Disengagement is common and occurs at various points along the cascade, making it challenging to identify high-impact intervention opportunities. While historical HIV cascades remain valuable for target setting and service monitoring, they can be complemented with insights from more detailed cyclical cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Euvrard
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Venessa Timmerman
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Claire Marriott Keene
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Florence Phelanyane
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alexa Heekes
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian D. Rice
- School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Grimsrud
- HIV Programmes and Advocacy, IAS–the International AIDS Society, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Peter Ehrenkranz
- Global Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington State, United States of America
| | - Andrew Boulle
- School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Health, Provincial Government of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Williams LD, van Heerden A, Ntinga X, Nikolopoulos GK, Paraskevis D, Friedman SR. Pilot Testing Two Versions of a Social Network Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Case-finding among Men in South Africa's Generalized HIV Epidemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 21:54. [PMID: 38248519 PMCID: PMC10815189 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Locating undiagnosed HIV infections is important for limiting transmission. However, there is limited evidence about how best to do so. In South Africa, men have been particularly challenging to reach for HIV testing due, in part, to stigma. We pilot-tested two versions of a network-based case-finding and care-linkage intervention. The first, TRIP, asked "seeds" (original participants) to recruit their sexual and/or injection partners. The second, TRIPLE, aimed to circumvent some stigma-related issues by asking seeds to recruit anyone they know who might be at risk of being HIV-positive-unaware. We recruited 11 (18% male) newly diagnosed HIV-positive (NDP) seeds from two clinics in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and randomly assigned them to either TRIP or TRIPLE. Network members were recruited two steps from each seed. The TRIP arm recruited 12 network members; the TRIPLE arm recruited 62. Both arms recruited NDPs at higher rates than local clinic testing, with TRIP (50.0%) outperforming (p = 0.012) TRIPLE (14.5%). However, TRIPLE (53.2%) was far superior to clinics (27.8%) and to TRIP (25.0%) at recruiting men. Given challenges around testing and treating men for HIV in this context, these findings suggest that the TRIPLE expanded network-tracing approach should be tested formally among larger samples in multiple settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie D. Williams
- Division of Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Sweetwaters Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa
| | - Xolani Ntinga
- Sweetwaters Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg 3201, South Africa
| | | | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Samuel R. Friedman
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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Bokolo S, Mabaso S, Kruger W, Mistri P, Schmucker L, Chetty-Makkan C, Pascoe SJS, Buttenheim A, Thirumurthy H, Long L. Applying behavioural economics principles to increase demand for free HIV testing services at private doctor-led clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa: A randomised controlled trial. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.08.07.23293635. [PMID: 37609154 PMCID: PMC10441509 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.07.23293635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Expanding free HIV testing service (HTS) access to include private clinics could increase testing rates. A donor funded programme, GP Care Cell, offered free HIV testing at selected private doctor-led clinics but uptake was low. We investigated whether HTS demand creation materials that used behavioural economics principles could increase demand for HIV testing at these clinics. Methods We conducted a randomised controlled trial in Johannesburg, South Africa (January-April 2022) distributing brochures promoting HTS to adults in five private doctor-led clinic catchment areas. Individuals were randomised to receive three brochure types: (1) "Standard of care" (SOC) advertising a free HIV test and ART; (2) "Healthy lifestyle screening" promoted free low-cost health screenings in addition to HTS; and (3) "Recipient of care voucher" leveraged loss aversion and the endowment effect by highlighting the monetary value of free HTS. The primary outcome was presenting at the clinic following exposure to the brochures. Logistic regression compared outcomes between arms. Results Of the 12,129 brochures distributed, 658 were excluded because of errors or duplicates and 11,471 were analysed. About 59% of brochure recipients were male and 50,3% were aged 25-34 years. In total, 448 (3.9%) brochure recipients presented at the private doctor-led clinics of which 50.7% were males. There were no significant differences in clinic presentation between the healthy lifestyle screening and SOC arm (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.02; 95% CI 0.79-1.32), and similarly between the recipient of care voucher and SOC arm (AOR 1.08; 95% CI 0.84-1.39). Individuals were more likely to attend clinics that were centrally located with visible branding for HTS (AOR=5.30; 95% CI: 4.14-6.79). Conclusion Brochures that used behavioural insights did not increase demand for HTS at private doctor-led clinics. However, consistent distribution of the brochures may have potential to increase HIV testing uptake at highly visible private doctor-led clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simamkele Bokolo
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Suzanne Mabaso
- Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Wentzel Kruger
- Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Preethi Mistri
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Laura Schmucker
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Candice Chetty-Makkan
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sophie J S Pascoe
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Alison Buttenheim
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA, USA
| | - Harsha Thirumurthy
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lawrence Long
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Zishiri V, Conserve DF, Haile ZT, Corbett E, Hatzold K, Meyer-Rath G, Matsimela K, Sande L, d’Elbee M, Terris-Prestholt F, Johnson CC, Chidarikire T, Venter F, Majam M. Secondary distribution of HIV self-test kits by HIV index and antenatal care clients: implementation and costing results from the STAR Initiative in South Africa. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 22:971. [PMID: 37264343 PMCID: PMC10234581 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08324-7] [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: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Partner-delivered HIV self-testing kits has previously been highlighted as a safe, acceptable and effective approach to reach men. However, less is known about its real-world implementation in reaching partners of people living with HIV. We evaluated programmatic implementation of partner-delivered self-testing through antenatal care (ANC) attendees and people newly diagnosed with HIV by assessing use, positivity, linkage and cost per kit distributed. METHODS Between April 2018 and December 2019, antenatal care (ANC) clinic attendees and people or those newly diagnosed with HIV clients across twelve clinics in three cities in South Africa were given HIVST kits (OraQuick Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test, OraSure Technologies) to distribute to their sexual partners. A follow-up telephonic survey was administered to all prior consenting clients who were successfully reached by telephone to assess primary outcomes. Incremental economic costs of the implementation were estimated from the provider's perspective. RESULTS Fourteen thousand four hundred seventy-three HIVST kits were distributed - 10,319 (71%) to ANC clients for their male partner and 29% to people newly diagnosed with HIV for their partners. Of the 4,235 ANC clients successfully followed-up, 82.1% (3,475) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their male partner with 98.1% (3,409) accepting and 97.6% (3,328) using the kit. Among ANC partners self-testing, 159 (4.8%) reported reactive HIVST results, of which 127 (79.9%) received further testing; 116 (91.3%) were diagnosed with HIV and 114 (98.3%) initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART). Of the 1,649 people newly diagnosed with HIV successfully followed-up; 1,312 (79.6%) reportedly offered HIVST kits to their partners with 95.8% (1,257) of the partners accepting and 95.9% (1,206) reported that their partners used the kit. Among these index partners, 297 (24.6%) reported reactive HIVST results of which 261 (87.9%) received further testing; 260 (99.6%) were diagnosed with HIV and 258 (99.2%) initiated ART. The average cost per HIVST distributed in the three cities was US$7.90, US$11.98, and US$14.81, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Partner-delivered HIVST in real world implementation was able to affordably reach many male partners of ANC attendees and index partners of people newly diagnosed with HIV in South Africa. Given recent COVID-19 related restrictions, partner-delivered HIVST provides an important strategy to maintain essential testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Zishiri
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Donaldson F. Conserve
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute of Public Health, George Washington University, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Zelalem T. Haile
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin, USA
| | | | | | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO), Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Linda Sande
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marc d’Elbee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Francois Venter
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, a Sub-Division of Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Yorlets RR, Lurie MN, Ginsburg C, Hogan JW, Joyce NR, Harawa S, Collinson MA, Gómez-Olivé FX, White MJ. Validity of Self-Report for Ascertaining HIV Status Among Circular Migrants and Permanent Residents in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional, Population-Based Analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:919-927. [PMID: 36112260 PMCID: PMC9974592 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03828-w] [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] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
While expanded HIV testing is needed in South Africa, increasing accurate self-report of HIV status is an essential parallel goal in this highly mobile population. If self-report can ascertain true HIV-positive status, persons with HIV (PWH) could be linked to life-saving care without the existing delays required by producing medical records or undergoing confirmatory testing, which are especially burdensome for the country's high prevalence of circular migrants. We used Wave 1 data from The Migration and Health Follow-Up Study, a representative adult cohort, including circular migrants and permanent residents, randomly sampled from the Agincourt Health and Demographic Surveillance System in a rural area of Mpumalanga Province. Within the analytic sample (n = 1,918), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of self-report were calculated with dried blood spot (DBS) HIV test results as the standard. Among in-person participants (n = 2,468), 88.8% consented to DBS-HIV testing. HIV prevalence was 25.3%. Sensitivity of self-report was 43.9% (95% CI: 39.5-48.5), PPV was 93.4% (95% CI: 89.5-96.0); specificity was 99.0% (95% CI: 98.3-99.4) and NPV was 83.9% (95% CI: 82.8-84.9). Self-report of an HIV-positive status was predictive of true status for both migrants and permanent residents in this high-prevalence setting. Persons who self-reported as living with HIV were almost always truly positive, supporting a change to clinical protocol to immediately connect persons who say they are HIV-positive to ART and counselling. However, 56% of PWH did not report as HIV-positive, highlighting the imperative to address barriers to disclosure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Yorlets
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
- Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Carren Ginsburg
- Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa
| | - Joseph W Hogan
- Department of Biostatistics, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nina R Joyce
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
- Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sadson Harawa
- Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa
| | - Mark A Collinson
- Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa
- South African Population Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Durban, South Africa
| | - F Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa
| | - Michael J White
- Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng province, South Africa
- Department of Sociology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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van Heerden A, Szpiro A, Ntinga X, Celum C, van Rooyen H, Essack Z, Barnabas R. A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial of scalable interventions for ART delivery in South Africa: the SMART ART study. Trials 2023; 24:32. [PMID: 36647092 PMCID: PMC9842495 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-07025-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Of the 8 million people in South Africa living with HIV, 74% of persons living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and 65% are virally suppressed. Detectable viral load results in HIV-associated morbidity and mortality and HIV transmission. Patient barriers to care, such as missed wages, transport costs, and long wait times for clinic visits and ART refills, are associated with detectable viral load. HIV differentiated service delivery (DSD) has simplified ART delivery for clients who achieve viral suppression and engage in care. However, DSD needs adaptation to serve clients who are not engaged in care. METHODS A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial will be undertaken in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to test adaptive ART delivery for persons with detectable viral load and/or who are not engaged in care. The types of differentiated service delivery (DSD) which will be examined in this study are clinic-based incentives, community-based smart lockers, and home delivery. The study plans to enroll up to 900 participants-people living with HIV, eligible for ART, and who are not engaged in care. The study aims to assess the proportion of ART-eligible persons living with HIV who achieve viral suppression at 18 months. The study will also evaluate the preferences of clients and providers for differentiated service delivery and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adaptive HIV treatment for those who are not engaged in care. DISCUSSION To increase population-level viral suppression, persons with detectable viral load need responsive DSD interventions. A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) design facilitates the evaluation of a stepped, adaptive approach to achieving viral suppression with "right-sized" interventions for patients most in need of effective and efficient HIV care delivery strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05090150. Registered on October 22, 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair van Heerden
- grid.417715.10000 0001 0071 1142Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa ,grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adam Szpiro
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Xolani Ntinga
- grid.417715.10000 0001 0071 1142Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Connie Celum
- grid.34477.330000000122986657Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA ,grid.34477.330000000122986657Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Heidi van Rooyen
- grid.11951.3d0000 0004 1937 1135MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa ,grid.417715.10000 0001 0071 1142Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Zaynab Essack
- grid.417715.10000 0001 0071 1142Centre for Community Based Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - Ruanne Barnabas
- grid.32224.350000 0004 0386 9924Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,grid.38142.3c000000041936754XHarvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
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Attrition from Care Among Men Initiating ART in Male-Only Clinics Compared with Men in General Primary Healthcare Clinics in Khayelitsha, South Africa: A Matched Propensity Score Analysis. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:358-369. [PMID: 35908271 PMCID: PMC9852215 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03772-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Men have higher rates of attrition from antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs than women. In Khayelitsha, a high HIV prevalence area in South Africa, two public sector primary healthcare clinics offer services, including HIV testing and treatment, exclusively to men. We compared attrition from ART care among men initiating ART at these clinics with male attrition in six general primary healthcare clinics in Khayelitsha. We described baseline characteristics of patients initiating ART at the male and general clinics from 1 January 2014 to 31 March 2018. We used exposure propensity scores (generated based on baseline health and age) to match male clinic patients 1:1 to males at other clinics. The association between attrition (death or loss to follow-up, defined as no visits for nine months) and clinic type was estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. Follow-up time began at ART initiation and ended at attrition, clinic transfer, or dataset closure. Before matching, patients from male clinics (n = 784) were younger than males from general clinics (n = 2726), median age: 31.2 vs 35.5 years. Those initiating at male clinics had higher median CD4 counts at ART initiation [Male Clinic 1: 329 (IQR 210-431), Male Clinic 2: 364 (IQR 260-536), general clinics 258 (IQR 145-398), cells/mm3]. In the matched analysis (1451 person-years, 1568 patients) patients initiating ART at male clinics had lower attrition (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.60-0.85). In separate analyses for each of the two male clinics, only the more established male clinic showed a protective effect. Male-only clinics reached younger, healthier men, and had lower ART attrition than general services. These findings support clinic-specific adaptations to create more male-friendly environments.
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Leung Soo C, Pant Pai N, Bartlett SJ, Esmail A, Dheda K, Bhatnagar S. Socioeconomic factors impact the risk of HIV acquisition in the township population of South Africa: A Bayesian analysis. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0001502. [PMID: 36963084 PMCID: PMC10021863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
With a prevalence almost twice as high as the national average, people living in South African townships are particularly impacted by the HIV epidemic. Yet, it remains unclear how socioeconomic factors impact the risk of HIV infection within township populations. Our objective was to estimate the extent to which socioeconomic factors (dwelling situation, education, employment status, and monthly income) explain the risk of HIV in South African township populations, after controlling for behavioural and individual risk factors. Using Bayesian logistic regression, we analysed secondary data from a quasi-randomised trial which recruited participants (N = 3095) from townships located across three subdistricts of Cape Town. We controlled for individual factors (age, sex, marital status, testing history, HIV exposure, comorbidities, and tuberculosis infection) and behavioural factors (unprotected sex, sex with multiple partners, with sex workers, with a partner living with HIV, under the influence of alcohol or drugs), and accounted for the uncertainty due to missing data through multiple imputation. We found that residing in informal dwellings and not having post-secondary education increased the odds of HIV (aOR, 89% CrI: 1.34, 1.07-1.68 and 1.82, 1.29-2.61, respectively), after controlling for subdistrict of residence, individual, and behavioural factors. Additionally, our results suggest different pathways for how socioeconomic status (SES) affect HIV infection in males and female participants: while socioeconomic factors associated with lower SES seem to be associated with a decreased likelihood of having recently sough HIV testing among male participants, they are associated with increased sexual risk taking which, among female participants, increase the risk of HIV. Our analyses demonstrate that social determinants of health are at the root of the HIV epidemic and affect the risk of HIV in multiple ways. These findings stress the need for the deployment of programs that specifically address social determinants of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Leung Soo
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nitika Pant Pai
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Susan J Bartlett
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Aliasgar Esmail
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, UCT Lung Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Keertan Dheda
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, UCT Lung Institute and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sahir Bhatnagar
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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10
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Nsibande DF, Magasana V, Zembe W, Kindra G, Mogashoa M, Goga A, Ramokolo V. Health facility users' knowledge, perceptions, and practices about infant feeding in the context of option B+ in South Africa: a qualitative study. Int Breastfeed J 2022; 17:89. [PMID: 36539742 PMCID: PMC9764699 DOI: 10.1186/s13006-022-00526-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV and sub-optimal infant feeding practices remain important threats to child growth, development, and survival in low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, few studies have explored health service users' perspective of infant feeding in the context of WHO Option B+ policy to prevent vertical HIV transmission (PMTCT). This paper is a sub-analysis of qualitative data from a mixed-methods multi-level process evaluation of Option B+ implementation in South Africa (SA). In this study we explored health facility users' infant feeding knowledge, perceptions, and practices one year after SA adopted the 2016 updated World Health Organization prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV Option B+ infant feeding guidelines. METHODS Nineteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with six groups of men and women whose infants were aged < 6 months. Participants were attending randomly selected primary health care facilities within six purposively selected priority districts. The six groups included in the FGDs were: (i) adolescent girls and young women living with HIV (WHIV), (ii) adolescent girls and young women not living with HIV (WNHIV), (iii) older postnatal WHIV (iv) older postnatal WNHIV (v) pregnant women, and (vi) men. Data collection took place between April and December 2018. Data analysis involved coding and thematic framework analysis. RESULTS Women and men have suboptimal knowledge of the recommended breastfeeding duration and exclusive breastfeeding, especially for HIV-exposed infants. Most women received sub-optimal infant feeding counselling and mixed messages from health care workers. Fewer WHIV initiated breastfeeding at birth compared to WNHIV. Most parents believed that HIV-exposed infants should be breastfed for 6 months and many postnatal women on antiretroviral drugs and younger mothers lacked confidence to breastfeed beyond 6 months. Mixed feeding was predominant among all women due to individual, family, and socio-structural barriers. Many men were supportive on infant feeding; however, they lacked the appropriate information and skills to influence their partners' infant feeding decisions. CONCLUSIONS Differences in breastfeeding practices between WHIV and WNHIV are highly influenced by the lack of knowledge of infant feeding policy recommendations. Multiple-level factors deter many mothers from adhering to recommended guidelines. Appropriate ongoing infant feeding counselling and breastfeeding support are required for women and their partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duduzile Faith Nsibande
- grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), SAMRC, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vuyolwethu Magasana
- grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), SAMRC, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wanga Zembe
- grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gurpreet Kindra
- grid.513001.6United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mary Mogashoa
- grid.513001.6United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ameena Goga
- grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), SAMRC, Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.49697.350000 0001 2107 2298Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Vundli Ramokolo
- grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024Health Systems Research Unit (HSRU), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.415021.30000 0000 9155 0024HIV and other Infectious Diseases Research Unit (HIDRU), SAMRC, Cape Town, South Africa
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11
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Denardo D, Mojola SA, Schatz E, Gómez-Olivé FX. Antiretroviral therapy and aging as resources for managing and resisting HIV-related stigma in rural South Africa. SSM. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN HEALTH 2022; 2:100148. [PMID: 36687383 PMCID: PMC9851406 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The widespread roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Africa has contributed to a large population of adults aging with HIV. However, little is known about how HIV-related stigma interacts with aging in the ART era. This study uses in-depth interviews with middle-aged and older South Africans living with HIV to explore stigma-related experiences and response strategies. Participants describe a persistence of stigma which requires the deployment of a range of common and age-based stigma management and resistance strategies. We find that participants minimize their exposure to stigma through selective disclosure of their HIV status; neutralize HIV-related stigma through comparisons to chronic illnesses common among older adults, and deflect stigma through asserting an ART-adherent identity and othering younger non-adherent adults. Overall, our study highlights the roles of ART and aging as resources for managing and resisting HIV-related stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Denardo
- Social and Behavioral Sciences, Soka University of America, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA,Corresponding author.. 1.949.480.4216, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, CA, 92656, USA, (D. Denardo)
| | - Sanyu A. Mojola
- Department of Sociology, School of Public and International Affairs, Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA,MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
| | - Enid Schatz
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa,Department of Public Health and Department of Women’s & Gender Studies, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - F. Xavier Gómez-Olivé
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
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12
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Mametja S, Dessie ZG, Matoti L, Semenya M, Moloabi S, Essack S. Clinical management of COVID-19 in hospitals and the community: A snapshot from a medical insurance database in South Africa. Int J Infect Dis 2022; 120:170-173. [PMID: 35470024 PMCID: PMC9027768 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the clinical care, use of medicines, and risk factors associated with mortality among the population with private health insurance with COVID-19 in South Africa. METHODS This was a retrospective cross-sectional study using claims data of patients with confirmed COVID-19. Sociodemographics, comorbidities, severity, concurrent/progressive comorbidity, drug treatment, and outcomes were extracted from administrative data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. RESULTS This study included 154,519 patients with COVID-19; only 24% were categorized as severe because they received in-hospital care. Antibiotic (42.8%) and steroid (30%) use was high in this population. After adjusting for known comorbidities, concurrent/progressive diagnosis of the following conditions were associated with higher in-hospital death odds: acute respiratory distress syndrome (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.44-1.68), septic shock (aOR = 1.55; 95% CI = 2.00-4.12), pneumonia (aOR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.24-1.47), acute renal failure (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI = 2.09-2.5), and stroke (aOR = 2.09; 95% CI = 1.75-2.49). The use of antivirals (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI= 0.40-0.54), and/or steroids (aOR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.43-0.50) were associated with decreased death odds. The use of antibiotics in-hospital was not associated with increased survival (aOR = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.91-1.04). CONCLUSIONS Comorbidities remain significant risk factors for death mediated by organ failure. The use of antibiotics did not change the odds of death, suggesting inappropriate use.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Mametja
- Government Employers Medical Scheme, Pretoria, South Africa,Corresponding author
| | - Zelalem G. Dessie
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - L. Matoti
- Government Employers Medical Scheme, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - M. Semenya
- Government Employers Medical Scheme, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S. Moloabi
- Government Employers Medical Scheme, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - S.Y. Essack
- Antimicrobial Research Unit, School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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13
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Gebremeskel AT, Omonaiye O, Yaya S. Sex differences in HIV testing among elders in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev 2022; 11:95. [PMID: 35578357 PMCID: PMC9109370 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-022-01968-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elders (age 50+) HIV demographic (age and sex) data are essential to better understand their HIV service utilization and develop appropriate evidence-based responses and policies. Despite a significant prevalence rate of HIV and growing numbers of this population group, data are still scarce, and studies have neglected them in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this protocol is to outline the methodological process of a systematic review that will gather qualitative and quantitative data to critically examine sex differences in HIV testing among elders (age 50+) in Sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS This protocol adheres to the PRISMA-P reporting guidelines. We will conduct a systematic database search to retrieve all observational and qualitative studies. Electronic search strategies will be developed for MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health, and CINAHL for studies reporting HIV data. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The search strategy will consist of free-text and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Search terms for elders (50+) will include the following: "elders", "older adults", "aged", "geriatric" and "seniors". The primary outcome of interest is sex differences in the uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT). The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using appropriate tools. Screening, data extraction, and assessments of risk of bias will be performed independently by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis will be conducted with studies that are compatible based on population and outcome. As it will be a systematic review, without human participants' involvement, there will be no requirement for ethical approval. DISCUSSION The systematic review will present key evidence on sex differences in HIV testing among elders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings will be used to inform program developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to enhance sex disaggregated HIV data to improve access to HIV counselling and testing service for elders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The final manuscript will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and scientific conferences. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO: CRD42020172737 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Akalewold T Gebremeskel
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.,School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Olumuyiwa Omonaiye
- Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Burwood, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Research, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. .,The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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14
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Zaidi HA, Mathenjwa M, Mosery N, O'Neil K, Chitneni P, Psaros C, Khidir H, Safren SA, Bangsberg DR, Sayeed SA, Smit JA, Matthews LT. Overcoming Ethical Challenges to Engaging Men Who Have Sex with Women in HIV Research. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:4055-4060. [PMID: 33582889 PMCID: PMC10698834 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03185-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Men who have sex with women are understudied in HIV research despite the extent to which they experience HIV-related mortality and contribute to the epidemic among women. During our experience of developing and piloting an HIV prevention intervention for men living with HIV in South Africa, and planning to have a child with an HIV-negative woman, ethical questions were posed regarding implementation of a male-centered intervention that did not require female partner participation. Two overarching ethical issues were the potential for (1) compromising women's reproductive and sexual autonomy and (2) increasing HIV-acquisition risks for the woman because the intervention efficacy was unknown. We describe here how these concerns were addressed to facilitate development of a male-centered HIV-prevention intervention. We hope this process manuscript will support researchers, clinicians, and reviewers to engage men who have sex with women in HIV prevention and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain A Zaidi
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 212 Zeigler Research Building, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Lang Center for Social and Civic Responsibility, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Mxolisi Mathenjwa
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Nzwakie Mosery
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kasey O'Neil
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 212 Zeigler Research Building, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Pooja Chitneni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | | | - Sadath A Sayeed
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Smit
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Lynn T Matthews
- Division of Infectious Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 212 Zeigler Research Building, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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15
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Meyerson K, Hoddinott G, Nicholson T, Meehan SA. Underlying reasons why some people haven't tested for HIV - a discourse analysis of qualitative data from Cape Town, South Africa. SAHARA J 2021; 18:105-112. [PMID: 34514958 PMCID: PMC8439247 DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2021.1977686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Reported barriers to HIV testing over the last 15 years have remained consistent, despite improved service offerings. We aimed to probe deeper by exploring how people who have never tested construct HIV testing in their talk. We used this to suggest underlying psychosocial barriers to testing even when there is high availability. We enrolled 14 participants who reported that they had never tested for HIV and conducted individual, open-ended interviews. The data were organised thematically with theory-generative interpretations informed by discourse analysis. Reasons for not testing reported reflect similar barriers identified in previous research. Deeper probing identified three discursive processes by which participants explained why they had never tested for HIV, suggesting that the way participants used ‘reasons’ in their talk is an indicator that the participants were repeating ‘tropes’. While aware of HIV testing facilities, participants still chose not to test. Influences on the choice to test or not were positioned as outside of the person’s control. These findings suggest that there are deeper reasons why some people have not tested and that these will not be resolved through merely increasing accessibility to testing services. We recommend increased consideration of the psychosocial implications of testing in service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla Meyerson
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Graeme Hoddinott
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tamryn Nicholson
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sue-Ann Meehan
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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16
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Jamieson L, Johnson LF, Matsimela K, Sande LA, d'Elbée M, Majam M, Johnson C, Chidarikire T, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Nichols B, Meyer-Rath G. The cost effectiveness and optimal configuration of HIV self-test distribution in South Africa: a model analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005598. [PMID: 34275876 PMCID: PMC8287627 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be acceptable, feasible and effective in increasing HIV testing uptake. Novel testing strategies are critical to achieving the UNAIDS target of 95% HIV-positive diagnosis by 2025 in South Africa and globally. METHODS We modelled the impact of six HIVST kit distribution modalities (community fixed-point, taxi ranks, workplace, partners of primary healthcare (PHC) antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients), partners of pregnant women, primary PHC distribution) in South Africa over 20 years (2020-2039), using data collected alongside the Self-Testing AfRica Initiative. We modelled two annual distribution scenarios: (A) 1 million HIVST kits (current) or (B) up to 6.7 million kits. Incremental economic costs (2019 US$) were estimated from the provider perspective; assumptions on uptake and screening positivity were based on surveys of a subset of kit recipients and modelled using the Thembisa model. Cost-effectiveness of each distribution modality compared with the status-quo distribution configuration was estimated as cost per life year saved (estimated from life years lost due to AIDS) and optimised using a fractional factorial design. RESULTS The largest impact resulted from secondary HIVST distribution to partners of ART patients at PHC (life years saved (LYS): 119 000 (scenario A); 393 000 (scenario B)). However, it was one of the least cost-effective modalities (A: $1394/LYS; B: $4162/LYS). Workplace distribution was cost-saving ($52-$76 million) and predicted to have a moderate epidemic impact (A: 40 000 LYS; B: 156 000 LYS). An optimised scale-up to 6.7 million tests would result in an almost threefold increase in LYS compared with a scale-up of status-quo distribution (216 000 vs 75 000 LYS). CONCLUSION Optimisation-informed distribution has the potential to vastly improve the impact of HIVST. Using this approach, HIVST can play a key role in improving the long-term health impact of investment in HIVST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Jamieson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Leigh F Johnson
- Centre of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research (CIDER), University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mohammed Majam
- Ezintsha, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg-Braamfontein, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis, STI programmes, World Health Organization, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Thato Chidarikire
- HIV Prevention Programmes, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Brooke Nichols
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Duivendrecht, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Global Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, University of the Witwatersrand School of Clinical Medicine, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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17
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Tafadzwa D, Julien R, Lina B, Eliane R, Frederique C, Leigh J, Elvira S, Victor O, Mazvita SM, Matthias E, Julia B, Garyfallos K. Spatiotemporal modelling and mapping of cervical cancer incidence among HIV positive women in South Africa: a nationwide study. Int J Health Geogr 2021; 20:30. [PMID: 34187465 PMCID: PMC8244168 DOI: 10.1186/s12942-021-00283-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disparities in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence exist globally, particularly in HIV positive women who are at elevated risk compared to HIV negative women. We aimed to determine the spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal incidence of ICC and the potential risk factors among HIV positive women in South Africa. METHODS We included ICC cases in women diagnosed with HIV from the South African HIV cancer match study during 2004-2014. We used the Thembisa model, a mathematical model of the South African HIV epidemic to estimate women diagnosed with HIV per municipality, age group and calendar year. We fitted Bayesian hierarchical models, using a reparameterization of the Besag-York-Mollié to capture spatial autocorrelation, to estimate the spatiotemporal distribution of ICC incidence among women diagnosed with HIV. We also examined the association of deprivation, access to health (using the number of health facilities per municipality) and urbanicity with ICC incidence. We corrected our estimates to account for ICC case underascertainment, missing data and data errors. RESULTS We included 17,821 ICC cases and demonstrated a decreasing trend in ICC incidence, from 306 to 312 in 2004 and from 160 to 191 in 2014 per 100,000 person-years across all municipalities and corrections. The spatial relative rate (RR) ranged from 0.27 to 4.43 in the model without any covariates. In the model adjusting for covariates, the most affluent municipalities had a RR of 3.18 (95% Credible Interval 1.82, 5.57) compared to the least affluent ones, and municipalities with better access to health care had a RR of 1.52 (1.03, 2.27) compared to municipalities with worse access to health. CONCLUSIONS The results show an increased incidence of cervical cancer in affluent municipalities and in those with more health facilities. This is likely driven by better access to health care in more affluent areas. More efforts should be made to ensure equitable access to health services, including mitigating physical barriers, such as transportation to health centres and strengthening of screening programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhokotera Tafadzwa
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- National Cancer Registry, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Riou Julien
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Bartels Lina
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rohner Eliane
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Chammartin Frederique
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Johnson Leigh
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Singh Elvira
- National Cancer Registry, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Olago Victor
- National Cancer Registry, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sengayi-Muchengeti Mazvita
- National Cancer Registry, National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Egger Matthias
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Bohlius Julia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinoudis Garyfallos
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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18
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van Schalkwyk C, Dorrington RE, Seatlhodi T, Velasquez C, Feizzadeh A, Johnson LF. Modelling of HIV prevention and treatment progress in five South African metropolitan districts. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5652. [PMID: 33707578 PMCID: PMC7952913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85154-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, large proportions of HIV-positive populations live in cities. The Fast-Track cities project aims to advance progress toward elimination of HIV as a public health threat by accelerating the response in cities across the world. This study applies a well-established HIV transmission model to provide key HIV estimates for the five largest metropolitan districts in South Africa (SA): Cape Town, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Johannesburg and Tshwane. We calibrate the model to metro-specific data sources and estimate progress toward the 90-90-90 targets set by UNAIDS (90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) diagnosed, 90% of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression in 90% of those on ART). We use the model to predict progress towards similarly defined 95-95-95 targets in 2030. In SA, 90.5% of PLHIV were diagnosed in 2018, with metro estimates ranging from 86% in Johannesburg to 92% in eThekwini. However, only 68.4% of HIV-diagnosed individuals nationally were on ART in 2018, with the proportion ranging from 56% in Tshwane to 73% in eThekwini. Fractions of ART users who were virally suppressed ranged from 77% in Ekurhuleni to 91% in eThekwini, compared to 86% in the whole country. All five metros are making good progress to reach diagnosis targets and all (with the exception of Ekurhuleni) are expected to reach viral suppression targets in 2020. However, the metros and South Africa face severe challenges in reaching the 90% ART treatment target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari van Schalkwyk
- The South African DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
| | - Rob E Dorrington
- Centre for Actuarial Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thapelo Seatlhodi
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Leigh F Johnson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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Barnabas RV, Szpiro AA, van Rooyen H, Asiimwe S, Pillay D, Ware NC, Schaafsma TT, Krows ML, van Heerden A, Joseph P, Shahmanesh M, Wyatt MA, Sausi K, Turyamureeba B, Sithole N, Morrison S, Shapiro AE, Roberts DA, Thomas KK, Koole O, Bershteyn A, Ehrenkranz P, Baeten JM, Celum C. Community-based antiretroviral therapy versus standard clinic-based services for HIV in South Africa and Uganda (DO ART): a randomised trial. Lancet Glob Health 2020; 8:e1305-e1315. [PMID: 32971053 PMCID: PMC7527697 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(20)30313-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community-based delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV, including ART initiation, clinical and laboratory monitoring, and refills, could reduce barriers to treatment and improve viral suppression, reducing the gap in access to care for individuals who have detectable HIV viral load, including men who are less likely than women to be virally suppressed. We aimed to test the effect of community-based ART delivery on viral suppression among people living with HIV not on ART. METHODS We did a household-randomised, unblinded trial (DO ART) of delivery of ART in the community compared with the clinic in rural and peri-urban settings in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and the Sheema District, Uganda. After community-based HIV testing, people living with HIV were randomly assigned (1:1:1) with mobile phone software to community-based ART initiation with quarterly monitoring and ART refills through mobile vans; ART initiation at the clinic followed by mobile van monitoring and refills (hybrid approach); or standard clinic ART initiation and refills. The primary outcome was HIV viral suppression at 12 months. If the difference in viral suppression was not superior between study groups, an a-priori test for non-inferiority was done to test for a relative risk (RR) of more than 0·95. The cost per person virally suppressed was a co-primary outcome of the study. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02929992. FINDINGS Between May 26, 2016, and March 28, 2019, of 2479 assessed for eligibility, 1315 people living with HIV and not on ART with detectable viral load at baseline were randomly assigned; 666 (51%) were men. Retention at the month 12 visit was 95% (n=1253). At 12 months, community-based ART increased viral suppression compared with the clinic group (306 [74%] vs 269 [63%], RR 1·18, 95% CI 1·07-1·29; psuperiority=0·0005) and the hybrid approach was non-inferior (282 [68%] vs 269 [63%], RR 1·08, 0·98-1·19; pnon-inferiority=0·0049). Community-based ART increased viral suppression among men (73%, RR 1·34, 95% CI 1·16-1·55; psuperiority<0·0001) as did the hybrid approach (66%, RR 1·19, 1·02-1·40; psuperiority=0·026), compared with clinic-based ART (54%). Viral suppression was similar for men (n=156 [73%]) and women (n=150 [75%]) in the community-based ART group. With efficient scale-up, community-based ART could cost US$275-452 per person reaching viral suppression. Community-based ART was considered safe, with few adverse events. INTERPRETATION In high and medium HIV prevalence settings in South Africa and Uganda, community-based delivery of ART significantly increased viral suppression compared with clinic-based ART, particularly among men, eliminating disparities in viral suppression by gender. Community-based ART should be implemented and evaluated in different contexts for people with detectable viral load. FUNDING The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Center for AIDS Research; the Wellcome Trust; the University of Washington Royalty Research Fund; and the University of Washington King K Holmes Endowed Professorship in STDs and AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruanne V Barnabas
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Vaccine and Infectious Diseases Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Adam A Szpiro
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Heidi van Rooyen
- Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Torin T Schaafsma
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Meighan L Krows
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alastair van Heerden
- Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Philip Joseph
- Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | | | - Kombi Sausi
- Human Sciences Research Council, Sweetwaters, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Nsika Sithole
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Susan Morrison
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adrienne E Shapiro
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - D Allen Roberts
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Olivier Koole
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Anna Bershteyn
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Jared M Baeten
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Connie Celum
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Division of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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20
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Berner-Rodoreda A, Geldsetzer P, Bärnighausen K, Hettema A, Bärnighausen T, Matse S, McMahon SA. "It's hard for us men to go to the clinic. We naturally have a fear of hospitals." Men's risk perceptions, experiences and program preferences for PrEP: A mixed methods study in Eswatini. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237427. [PMID: 32966307 PMCID: PMC7510987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) have focused on men who have sex with women. We present findings from a mixed-methods study in Eswatini, the country with the highest HIV prevalence in the world (27%). Our findings are based on risk assessments, in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions which describe men’s motivations for taking up or declining PrEP. Quantitatively, men self-reported starting PrEP because they had multiple or sero-discordant partners or did not know the partner’s HIV-status. Men’s self-perception of risk was echoed in the qualitative data, which revealed that the hope of facilitated sexual performance or relations, a preference for pills over condoms and the desire to protect themselves and others also played a role for men to initiate PrEP. Trust and mistrust and being able or unable to speak about PrEP with partner(s) were further considerations for initiating or declining PrEP. Once on PrEP, men’s sexual behavior varied in terms of number of partners and condom use. Men viewed daily pill-taking as an obstacle to starting PrEP. Side-effects were a major reason for men to discontinue PrEP. Men also worried that taking anti-retroviral drugs daily might leave them mistaken for a person living with HIV, and viewed clinic-based PrEP education and initiation processes as a further obstacle. Given that men comprise only 29% of all PrEP users in Eswatini, barriers to men’s uptake of PrEP will need to be addressed, in terms of more male-friendly services as well as trialing community-based PrEP education and service delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pascal Geldsetzer
- Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, United States of America
| | - Kate Bärnighausen
- Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany
- University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anita Hettema
- Clinton Health Access Initiative Swaziland, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sindy Matse
- Eswatini Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Shannon A. McMahon
- Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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21
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Duby Z, Jonas K, Appollis TM, Maruping K, Dietrich J, Vanleeuw L, Mathews C. "There is no fear in me … well, that little fear is there": dualistic views towards HIV testing among South African adolescent girls and young women. AJAR-AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AIDS RESEARCH 2020; 19:214-221. [PMID: 32892703 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1799232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In spite of the high HIV burden and high prevalence and incidence of HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa, uptake of HIV testing in this population falls short of the UNIADS 90-90-90 targets, leading to late diagnosis, late entry into HIV care and treatment, and poor uptake of prevention services. There is a critical need to update and deepen our understanding of attitudes towards testing in this population, in order to appropriately respond to their specific needs. This article reports on findings from an exploration of perceptions of HIV testing and testing behaviour amongst AGYW in South Africa using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data. Analysis included data on testing behaviour and reasons for never testing from a survey conducted with 4 399 AGYW aged 15-24 years in six provinces. Combined with survey data is qualitative analysis from 63 in-depth interviews and 24 focus group discussions with 237 AGYW from five provinces. Findings revealed complex, dualistic and often contradictory views towards HIV testing in this population, with fear of HIV and the consequences of testing positive existing alongside a lack of concern towards HIV infection because of the availability and accessibility of antiretrovirals. These findings can help to address barriers to HIV testing in this population and ensure appropriateness of future interventions and HIV messaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Duby
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim Jonas
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Adolescent Health Research Unit, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tracy McClinton Appollis
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Adolescent Health Research Unit, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kealeboga Maruping
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janan Dietrich
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Perinatal HIV Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lieve Vanleeuw
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine Mathews
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,Adolescent Health Research Unit, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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22
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Meiring S, Cohen C, de Gouveia L, du Plessis M, Kularatne R, Hoosen A, Lekalakala R, Lengana S, Seetharam S, Naicker P, Quan V, Reubenson G, Tempia S, von Mollendorf C, von Gottberg A. Declining Incidence of Invasive Meningococcal Disease in South Africa: 2003-2016. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 69:495-504. [PMID: 30351372 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is endemic to South Africa, where vaccine use is negligible. We describe the epidemiology of IMD in South Africa. METHODS IMD cases were identified through a national, laboratory-based surveillance program, GERMS-SA, from 2003-2016. Clinical data on outcomes and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) statuses were available from 26 sentinel hospital sites. We conducted space-time analyses to detect clusters of serogroup-specific IMD cases. RESULTS Over 14 years, 5249 IMD cases were identified. The incidence was 0.97 cases per 100 000 persons in 2003, peaked at 1.4 cases per 100 000 persons in 2006, and declined to 0.23 cases per 100 000 persons in 2016. Serogroups were confirmed in 3917 (75%) cases: serogroup A was present in 4.7% of cases, B in 23.3%, C in 9.4%; W in 49.5%; Y in 12.3%, X in 0.3%; Z in 0.1% and 0.4% of cases were non-groupable. We identified 8 serogroup-specific, geo-temporal clusters of disease. Isolate susceptibility was 100% to ceftriaxone, 95% to penicillin, and 99.9% to ciprofloxacin. The in-hospital case-fatality rate was 17% (247/1479). Of those tested, 36% (337/947) of IMD cases were HIV-coinfected. The IMD incidence in HIV-infected persons was higher for all age categories, with an age-adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) of 2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-2.8; P < .001) from 2012-2016. No patients reported previous meningococcal vaccine exposure. Patients with serogroup W were 3 times more likely to present with severe disease than those with serogroup B (aRRR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1-6.3); HIV coinfection was twice as common with W and Y diseases (aRRR W = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9; aRRR Y = 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.4). CONCLUSIONS In the absence of significant vaccine use, IMD in South Africa decreased by 76% from 2003-2016. HIV was associated with an increased risk of IMD, especially for serogroup W and Y diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Meiring
- Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - Cheryl Cohen
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.,Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg
| | - Linda de Gouveia
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg
| | - Mignon du Plessis
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg
| | | | | | - Ruth Lekalakala
- Department of Medical Microbiology, NHLS and University of Limpopo, Polokwane
| | - Sarona Lengana
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg
| | | | - Preneshni Naicker
- Lancet Laboratories, Cape Town.,Division of Medical Microbiology, University of Cape Town
| | - Vanessa Quan
- Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a Division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), Johannesburg
| | - Gary Reubenson
- Rahima Moosa Mother & Child Hospital, Empilweni Service & Research Unit, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
| | - Stefano Tempia
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.,Influenza Program, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria
| | - Claire von Mollendorf
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.,Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg
| | - Anne von Gottberg
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, NICD, a Division of the NHLS, Johannesburg.,School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
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23
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Rao A, Kennedy C, Mda P, Quinn TC, Stead D, Hansoti B. Patient acceptance of HIV testing services in rural emergency departments in South Africa. South Afr J HIV Med 2020; 21:1105. [PMID: 32832116 PMCID: PMC7433237 DOI: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background South Africa faces the highest burden of HIV infection globally. The National Strategic Plan on HIV recommends provider-initiated HIV counselling and testing (HCT) in all healthcare facilities. However, HIV continues to overwhelm the healthcare system. Emergency department (ED)-based HCT could address unmet testing needs. Objectives This study examines the reasons for accepting or declining HCT in South African EDs to inform the development of HCT implementation strategies. Method We conducted a prospective observational study in two rural EDs, from June to September 2017. Patients presenting to the ED were systematically approached and offered a point-of-care test in accordance with national guidelines. Patients demographics, presenting compaint, medical history and reasons for accepting/declining testing, were recorded. A pooled analysis is presented. Results Across sites, 2074 adult, non-critical patients in the ED were approached; 1880 were enrolled in the study. Of those enrolled, 19.7% had a previously known positive diagnosis, and 80.3% were unaware of their HIV status. Of those unaware, 90% patients accepted and 10% declined testing. The primary reasons for declining testing were ‘does not want to know status’ (37.6%), ‘in too much pain’ (34%) and ‘does not believe they are at risk’ (19.9%). Conclusions Despite national guidelines, a high proportion of individuals remain undiagnosed, of which a majority are young men. Our study demonstrated high patient acceptance of ED-based HCT. There is a need for investment and innovation regarding effective pain management and confidential service delivery to address patient barriers. Findings support a routine, non-targeted HCT strategy in EDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Rao
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Kennedy
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America
| | - Pamela Mda
- Nelson Mandela Academic Clinical Research Unit, Mthatha, South Africa
| | - Thomas C Quinn
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America.,Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, United States of America
| | - David Stead
- Department of Medicine, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, East London, South Africa.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States of America.,Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States of America
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24
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Stevenson KA, Podewils LJ, Zishiri VK, Castro KG, Charalambous S. HIV prevalence and the cascade of care in five South African correctional facilities. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235178. [PMID: 32614878 PMCID: PMC7332003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background South Africa is home to the world’s largest HIV epidemic. Throughout the world, incarcerated individuals have a higher prevalence of HIV than the general public, and South Africa has one of the highest rates of incarceration in sub-Saharan Africa. In spite of this, little has been published about the burden of HIV and how care is delivered in South African correctional facilities. Objective To estimate the prevalence of people living with HIV and identify initiation and retention in the HIV cascade of care across five correctional facilities. Methods Cross-sectional retrospective analysis of 30,571 adult inmates who participated in a tuberculosis screening and HIV counseling and testing campaign in South African correctional facilities (January 1, 2014—January 31, 2015). Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the proportion and 95% confidence intervals of HIV. Proportions of persons retained and lost at each step in the HIV cascade of care under this intervention were calculated. Poisson regression with robust variance estimates were used, and clustering by facility was accounted for in all analyses. Results Results of the screening campaign found previously undiagnosed HIV among 13.0% of those consenting to screening, with a total estimated HIV prevalence of 17.7% (n = 3,184, 95% CI: 17.2–18.3%) in the sample. When examining the overall cascade of care, 48.3% of those with HIV initiated care, and overall 45.6% of persons who entered care qualified for ART initiated treatment. A Poisson regression accounting for clustering by facility found HIV high risk groups within the population such as women (aRR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.57, 1.89), those over 35 years of age (aRR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.53, 3.85), and people incarcerated less than one year (aRR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.19, 1.67). Conclusion In this setting, routine screening is recommended, and measures are needed to ensure that persons diagnosed are adequately linked to and retained in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey A. Stevenson
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura J. Podewils
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | | | - Kenneth G. Castro
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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25
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Kehoe K, Boulle A, Tsondai PR, Euvrard J, Davies MA, Cornell M. Long-term virologic responses to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive patients entering adherence clubs in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa: a longitudinal analysis. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25476. [PMID: 32406983 PMCID: PMC7224308 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In South Africa, an estimated 4.6 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in 2018. As universal Test and Treat is implemented, these numbers will continue to increase. Given the need for lifelong care for millions of individuals, differentiated service delivery models for ART services such as adherence clubs (ACs) for stable patients are required. In this study, we describe long-term virologic outcomes of patients who have ever entered ACs in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. METHODS We included adult patients enrolled in ACs in Khayelitsha between January 2011 and December 2016 with a recorded viral load (VL) before enrolment. Risk factors for an elevated VL (VL >1000 copies/mL) and confirmed virologic failure (two consecutive VLs >1000 copies/mL one year apart) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models. VL completeness over time was assessed. RESULTS Overall, 8058 patients were included in the analysis, contributing 16,047 person-years of follow-up from AC entry (median follow-up time 1.7 years, interquartile range [IQR]:0.9 to 2.9). At AC entry, 74% were female, 46% were aged between 35 and 44 years, and the median duration on ART was 4.8 years (IQR: 3.0 to 7.2). Among patients virologically suppressed at AC entry (n = 8058), 7136 (89%) had a subsequent VL test, of which 441 (6%) experienced an elevated VL (median time from AC entry 363 days, IQR: 170 to 728). Older age (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.46 to 0.88), more recent year of AC entry (aHR 0.76, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.84) and higher CD4 count (aHR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.84) were protective against experiencing an elevated VL. Among patients with an elevated VL, 52% (150/291) with a repeat VL test subsequently experienced confirmed virologic failure in a median time of 112 days (IQR: 56 to 168). Frequency of VL testing was constant over time (82 to 85%), with over 90% of patients remaining virologically suppressed. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates low prevalence of elevated VLs and confirmed virologic failure among patients who entered ACs. Although ACs were expanded rapidly, most patients were well monitored and remained stable, supporting the continued rollout of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Kehoe
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Andrew Boulle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Khayelitsha ART Programme and Médecins Sans FrontièresCape TownSouth Africa
- Health Impact Assessment Provincial Government of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Priscilla R Tsondai
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Jonathan Euvrard
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Khayelitsha ART Programme and Médecins Sans FrontièresCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Mary Ann Davies
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Health Impact Assessment Provincial Government of the Western CapeCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Morna Cornell
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and ResearchSchool of Public Health and Family MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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Dietrich JJ, Hornschuh S, Khunwane M, Makhale LM, Otwombe K, Morgan C, Huang Y, Lemos M, Lazarus E, Kublin JG, Gray GE, Laher F, Andrasik M. A mixed methods investigation of implementation barriers and facilitators to a daily mobile phone sexual risk assessment for young women in Soweto, South Africa. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231086. [PMID: 32324753 PMCID: PMC7179867 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The HIV epidemiology in South Africa reveals stark age and gender disparities, with young women being the most vulnerable to HIV acquisition in 2017. Evaluation of HIV exposure is a challenge in HIV prevention research. Intermittent in-clinic interviewer-administered risk behaviour assessments are utilised but may be limited by social desirability and recall biases. We piloted a mobile phone application for daily self-report of sexual risk behaviour in fifty 18–25 year old women at risk of HIV infection enrolled in HIV Vaccine Trials Network 915 (HVTN 915) in Soweto, South Africa. Through a mixed-methods investigation, we explored barriers and facilitators to completing daily mobile phone surveys among HVTN 915 study participants and staff. Methods We analysed quantitative data on barriers and facilitators to mobile phone study completion collected during the larger HVTN 915 study as well as two post-study focus group discussions (FGDs) with fifteen former participants with a median age of 24 years (IQR 23–25) and six individual in-depth interviews (IDIs) with HVTN 915 staff. FGDs and IDIs utilised semi-structured interview guides, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. After coding, thematic analysis was performed. Results The main facilitator for daily mobile phone survey completion assessed across 336 follow-up visits for 49 participants was the daily short message system (SMS) reminders (93%, 312/336). Across 336 visits, 31/49 (63%) retained participants reported barriers to completion of daily mobile phone surveys: forgetting (20%, 12/49), being too busy (19%, 11/49) and the survey being an inconvenience (15%, 9/49). Five main themes were identified during the coding of IDIs and FGDs: (1) facilitators of mobile phone survey completion, such as daily SMS reminders and follow up calls for non-completers; (2) barriers to mobile phone survey completion, including partner, time-related and technical barriers; (3) power of incentives; (4) response bias in providing sensitive information, and (5) recommendations for future mobile phone based interventions. Conclusion Despite our enthusiasm to use innovation to optimise sexual risk assessments, technical and practical solutions are required to improve implementation. We recommend further engagement with participants to optimise this approach and to further understand social desirability bias and study incentives in sexual risk reporting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janan J. Dietrich
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Stefanie Hornschuh
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Mamakiri Khunwane
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Lerato M. Makhale
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Kennedy Otwombe
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Cecilia Morgan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Yunda Huang
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Maria Lemos
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Erica Lazarus
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - James G. Kublin
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Glenda E. Gray
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
- Office of the President, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Fatima Laher
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Michele Andrasik
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Okal J, Lango D, Matheka J, Obare F, Ngunu-Gituathi C, Mugambi M, Sarna A. "It is always better for a man to know his HIV status" - A qualitative study exploring the context, barriers and facilitators of HIV testing among men in Nairobi, Kenya. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231645. [PMID: 32294124 PMCID: PMC7159816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
HIV testing services are an important component of HIV program and provide an entry point for clinical care for persons newly diagnosed with HIV. Although uptake of HIV testing has increased in Kenya, men are still less likely than women to get tested and access services. There is, however, limited understanding of the context, barriers and facilitators of HIV testing among men in the country. Data are from in-depth interviews with 30 men living with HIV and 8 HIV testing counsellors that were conducted to gain insights on motivations and drivers for HIV testing among men in the city of Nairobi. Men were identified retroactively by examining clinical CD4 registers on early and late diagnosis (e.g. CD4 of ≥500 cells/mm, early diagnosis and <500 cells/mm, late diagnosis). Analysis involved identifying broad themes and generating descriptive codes and categories. Timing for early testing is linked with strong social support systems and agency to test, while cost of testing, choice of facility to test and weak social support systems (especially poor inter-partner relations) resulted in late testing. Minimal discussions occurred prior to testing and whenever there was dialogue it happened with partners or other close relatives. Interrelated barriers at individual, health-care system, and interpersonal levels hindered access to testing services. Specifically, barriers to testing included perceived providers attitudes, facility location and set up, wait time/inconvenient clinic times, low perception of risk, limited HIV knowled ge, stigma, discrimination and fear of having a test. High risk perception, severe illness, awareness of partner's status, confidentiality, quality of services and supplies, flexible/extended opening hours, and pre-and post-test counselling were facilitators. Experiences between early and late testers overlapped though there were minor differences. In order to achieve the desired impact nationally and to attain the 90-90-90 targets, multiple interventions addressing both barriers and facilitators to testing are needed to increase uptake of testing and to link the positive to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Okal
- Population Council, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | | | - Mary Mugambi
- National HIV and STI Control Programme (NASCOP), Nairobi, Kenya
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Bridging the Gap: Reaching Men for HIV Testing Through Religious Congregations in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2020; 81:e160-e162. [PMID: 31021989 PMCID: PMC6738626 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Pasipamire L, Nesbitt RC, Dube L, Mabena E, Nzima M, Dlamini M, Rugongo N, Maphalala N, Obulutsa TA, Ciglenecki I, Kerschberger B. Implementation of community and facility-based HIV self-testing under routine conditions in southern Eswatini. Trop Med Int Health 2020; 25:723-731. [PMID: 32219945 PMCID: PMC7317513 DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Objectives WHO recommends HIV self‐testing (HIVST) as an additional approach to HIV testing services. The study describes the strategies used during phase‐in of HIVST under routine conditions in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Methods Between May 2017 and January 2018, assisted and unassisted oral HIVST was offered at HIV testing services (HTS) sites to people aged ≥ 16 years. Additional support tools were available, including a telephone hotline answered 24/7, HIVST demonstration videos and printed educational information about HIV prevention and care services. Demographic characteristics of HIVST users were described and compared with standard blood‐based HTS in the community. HIVST results were monitored with follow‐up phone calls and the hotline. Results During the 9‐month period, 1895 people accessed HIVST and 2415 HIVST kits were distributed. More people accessed HIVST kits in the community (n = 1365, 72.0%) than at health facilities (n = 530, 28.0%). The proportion of males and median age among those accessing HIVST and standard HTS in the community were similar (49.3%, 29 years HIVST vs. 48.7%, 27 years standard HTS). In total, 34 (3.9%) reactive results were reported from 938 people with known HIVST results; 32.4% were males, and median age was 30 years (interquartile range 25–36). Twenty‐one (62%) patients were known to have received confirmatory blood‐based HTS; of these, 20 (95%) had concordant reactive results and 19 (95%) were linked to HIV care at a clinic. Conclusion Integration of HIVST into existing HIV facility‐ and community‐based testing strategies in Eswatini was found to be feasible, and HIVST has been adopted by national testing bodies in Eswatini.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robin C Nesbitt
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Lenhle Dube
- Eswatini National AIDS Programme (ENAP), Ministry of Health, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Edwin Mabena
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Muzi Nzima
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Mduduzi Dlamini
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | - Nozizwe Rugongo
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | | | - Iza Ciglenecki
- Médecins Sans Frontières (Operational Centre Geneva), Geneva, Switzerland
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Mabuto T, Woznica DM, Lekubu G, Seatlholo N, Mshweshwe-Pakela N, Charalambous S, Hoffmann CJ. Observational study of continuity of HIV care following release from correctional facilities in South Africa. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:324. [PMID: 32164628 PMCID: PMC7068979 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8417-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We sought to describe linkage to care, ART continuity, and factors associated with linkage to care among people with HIV following release from incarceration in South Africa. METHODS We conducted a study of South African correctional service community reentrants who were receiving ART at the time of release. The study was implemented in three of 46 correctional service management areas. Participants were enrolled prior to corrections release and followed up to 90 days post-release to obtain self-reported linkage to care status and number of days of ART provided at corrections release. Clinic electronic and paper charts were sought and abstracted to verify self-reported linkage to care. Log-binomial regression, adjusted for facility, was used to identify associations with post-release linkage to care (self-reported and verified). We sought to specifically assess for associations with HIV diagnosis during index incarceration, ART initiation during index incarceration, and duration of incarceration. RESULTS From May 2014 to December 2016, 554 inmates met eligibility and 516 (93%) consented to participate; 391 were released on ART, 40 of whom were excluded from analysis post-release. Of the remaining 351, 301 (86%) were men and the median age was 35 years (interquartile range 30, 40). Linkage to care was self-reported by 227 (64%) and linkage to care could be verified for 121 (34%). At most, 47% of participants had no lapse in ART supply. Initiating ART during the index incarceration showed a trend toward increased self-reported post-release linkage to care. Age > 35 years was associated with increased verified linkage to care while HIV diagnosis outside of a correctional setting and ART initiation during the index incarceration showed trends toward association with increased verified linkage to care. DISCUSSION The results of our study are the first description of retention in care following correctional facility release from an African setting and indicate high levels of attrition during the transition from correctional facility to community care. Initiating ART within a correctional facility did not impair post-release linkage to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonderai Mabuto
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Daniel M Woznica
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Gloria Lekubu
- Department of Correctional Services, Gauteng Region, South Africa
| | | | | | - Salome Charalambous
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA.
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, CRB2 Rm 1M11, 1550 Orleans Rd, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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Rosenberg M, Gómez‐Olivé FX, Wagner RG, Rohr J, Payne CF, Berkman L, Kahn K, Tollman S, Bärnighausen T, Kobayashi LC. The relationships between cognitive function, literacy and HIV status knowledge among older adults in rural South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25457. [PMID: 32202047 PMCID: PMC7086300 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although HIV prevalence is exceptionally high in South Africa, HIV testing rates remain below targeted guidelines. Older adults living with HIV are substantially more likely to remain undiagnosed than younger people. Cognitive function and literacy could play key roles in HIV status knowledge due to the decision-making processes required around weighing the costs and benefits of testing, navigating testing logistics and processing results. We aimed to assess the independent relationships among each of cognitive function, literacy and education with HIV status knowledge in a population-based sample of older adults living in a rural South African community with high HIV prevalence. METHODS We analyzed data from a population-based study of 5059 men and women aged 40 years and older in rural South Africa (Health and Aging in Africa: A Longitudinal Study of an INDEPTH community (HAALSI)). HAALSI surveys, conducted between 2014 and 2015, queried self-reported literacy, educational attainment and HIV status knowledge. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess true HIV sero-status. Cognitive function was assessed with a battery of cognitive tests measuring time orientation, immediate and delayed recall, and numeracy and coded using confirmatory factor analysis as a z-standardized latent variable. We estimated the relationship between the outcome of HIV status knowledge and each of three exposures: (1) latent cognitive z-score, (2) literacy and (3) education, using confounder-adjusted modified Poisson regression models in the study population overall and stratified by HIV sero-status. RESULTS We found that HIV status knowledge was higher among those with higher cognitive z-scores (adjusted Prevalence Ratio (aPR) (95% CI): 1.18 (1.14, 1.21) per standard deviation unit), and among literate participants (aPR (95% CI): 1.24 (1.16, 1.32) vs. non-literate participants). Taken together, the associations with literacy and cognitive function completely attenuated the otherwise positive association between educational attainment and HIV status knowledge. The magnitudes of effect were generally similar among laboratory-confirmed HIV-negative and HIV-positive participants. CONCLUSIONS Campaigns that target older adults in rural South Africa with HIV testing messages should carefully consider the cognitive and literacy levels of the intended audience. Innovations to ease the cognitive load associated with HIV testing could prove fruitful to increase HIV status knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Rosenberg
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsIndiana University School of Public Health‐BloomingtonBloomingtonINUSA
| | - F. Xavier Gómez‐Olivé
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- INDEPTH NetworkAccraGhana
| | - Ryan G. Wagner
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- INDEPTH NetworkAccraGhana
- Umeå Centre for Global Health ResearchDivision of Epidemiology and Global HealthDepartment of Public Health and Clinical MedicineUmeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Julia Rohr
- Center for Population and Development StudiesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Collin F. Payne
- School of Demography, Research School of Social SciencesAustralian National UniversityCanberraAustralia
| | - Lisa Berkman
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Center for Population and Development StudiesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMAUSA
| | - Kathleen Kahn
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- INDEPTH NetworkAccraGhana
| | - Stephen Tollman
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- INDEPTH NetworkAccraGhana
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- MRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt)School of Public HealthFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Center for Population and Development StudiesHarvard UniversityCambridgeMAUSA
- Africa Health Research InstituteDurbanSouth Africa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global HealthFaculty of Medicine and University HospitalUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Lindsay C. Kobayashi
- Department of EpidemiologySchool of Public HealthUniversity of MichiganAnn ArborMIUSA
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Ajayi AI, Mudefi E, Adeniyi OV, Goon DT. Achieving the first of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets: understanding the influence of HIV risk perceptions, knowing one's partner's status and discussion of HIV/sexually transmitted infections with a sexual partner on uptake of HIV testing. Int Health 2020; 11:425-431. [PMID: 31365082 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihz056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed how HIV risk perceptions, knowledge of one's partner's status and discussion of HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with one's sexual partner influence the uptake of HIV testing. Data were obtained from 833 young adults, selected using stratified random sampling in a South African university in 2018. Adjusted and unadjusted logistic regression models were employed to examine determinants of HIV testing uptake. The majority of students (69.9%) had previously tested for HIV, but only 58.4% tested for HIV in the last year. Being highly concerned about contracting HIV/STIs was positively associated with having tested for HIV (adjusted OR [AOR]: 4.28; CI: 2.50 to 7.34) and getting an HIV test in the past year (AOR: 1.83; CI: 1.20 to 2.80). Knowing one's partner's status was associated with a higher probability of ever having been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.07; CI: 1.89 to 4.97) or having received an HIV test in the previous year (AOR: 2.66; CI: 1.77 to 3.99). Discussion of HIV/STIs was associated with higher odds of having ever been tested for HIV (AOR: 3.81; CI: 2.44 to 5.96) and recent HIV testing (AOR: 3.22; CI: 2.17 to 4.77). HIV testing was below the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNAIDS 90-90-90 target. Being concerned about contracting HIV, discussion of HIV/STIs with a sexual partner and knowing one's partner's HIV status were associated with the uptake of HIV testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- A I Ajayi
- Population Dynamics and Sexual and Reproductive Health, African Population and Health Research Centre, APHRC Campus, Manga Close, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - E Mudefi
- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
| | - O V Adeniyi
- Department of Family Medicine & Rural Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha/East London Hospital Complex, Cecilia Makiwane Hospital, East London, South Africa
| | - D T Goon
- Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa
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Schatz E, Knight L, Belli RF, Mojola SA. Assessing the feasibility of a life history calendar to measure HIV risk and health in older South Africans. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226024. [PMID: 31940307 PMCID: PMC6961824 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Life history calendars capture patterns of behavior over time, uncovering transitions and trajectories. Despite the growing numbers of older persons living with HIV in southern Africa, little is known about how HIV testing and risk unfold in this population. Operationalizing a life course approach with the use of an innovative Testing and Risk History Calendar [TRHC], we collected pilot data on older South Africans' risk and HIV testing. We found older persons were able to provide (1) reference points to facilitate recall over a 10-year period, (2) specifics about HIV tests during that decade, and (3) details that contextualize the testing data, such as living arrangements, relationships, and health status. Interviewer debriefing sessions after each interview captured information on context and links across domains. On a larger scale, the TRHC has potential to reveal pathways between sexual behavior, HIV testing and risk perception, and health at older ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enid Schatz
- Department of Public Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
- MRC/Wits Rural Health and Health Transitions Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lucia Knight
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Belville, South Africa
| | - Robert F. Belli
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Sanyu A. Mojola
- Department of Sociology, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
- Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, United States of America
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National HIV testing and diagnosis coverage in sub-Saharan Africa: a new modeling tool for estimating the 'first 90' from program and survey data. AIDS 2019; 33 Suppl 3:S255-S269. [PMID: 31764066 PMCID: PMC6919235 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: HIV testing services (HTS) are a crucial component of national HIV responses. Learning one's HIV diagnosis is the entry point to accessing life-saving antiretroviral treatment and care. Recognizing the critical role of HTS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched the 90-90-90 targets stipulating that by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of those who know their status receive antiretroviral therapy, and 90% of those on treatment have a suppressed viral load. Countries will need to regularly monitor progress on these three indicators. Estimating the proportion of people living with HIV who know their status (i.e. the ‘first 90’), however, is difficult. Methods: We developed a mathematical model (henceforth referred to as ‘Shiny90’) that formally synthesizes population-based survey and HTS program data to estimate HIV status awareness over time. The proposed model uses country-specific HIV epidemic parameters from the standard UNAIDS Spectrum model to produce outputs that are consistent with other national HIV estimates. Shiny90 provides estimates of HIV testing history, diagnosis rates, and knowledge of HIV status by age and sex. We validate Shiny90 using both in-sample comparisons and out-of-sample predictions using data from three countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, and Mozambique. Results: In-sample comparisons suggest that Shiny90 can accurately reproduce longitudinal sex-specific trends in HIV testing. Out-of-sample predictions of the fraction of people living with HIV ever tested over a 4-to-6-year time horizon are also in good agreement with empirical survey estimates. Importantly, out-of-sample predictions of HIV knowledge of status are consistent (i.e. within 4% points) with those of the fully calibrated model in the three countries when HTS program data are included. The model's predictions of knowledge of status are higher than available self-reported HIV awareness estimates, however, suggesting – in line with previous studies – that these self-reports could be affected by nondisclosure of HIV status awareness. Conclusion: Knowledge of HIV status is a key indicator to monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and target HIV responses. Shiny90 can help countries track progress towards their ‘first 90’ by leveraging surveys of HIV testing behaviors and annual HTS program data.
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Summarizing the results and methods of the 2019 Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS HIV estimates. AIDS 2019; 33 Suppl 3:S197-S201. [PMID: 31725433 PMCID: PMC6919222 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
UNAIDS and other partners provide support to countries to develop estimates of HIV and related indicators on an annual basis. These estimates are used to monitor epidemic trends, guide program planning and resource allocation, and inform policy decision-making. The collection of articles in this AIDS supplement provide the headline results for the 2019 UNAIDS estimates and describe the new developments in the methods used to produce these estimates.
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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] [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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Impact of Home-Based HIV Testing Services on Progress Toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets in a Hyperendemic Area of South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2019; 80:135-144. [PMID: 30422908 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In several subgroups of South Africa, the percentage of HIV-positive individuals aware of their status falls well below the UNAIDS 90% target. This study examined the impact that home-based HIV testing services (HBHTS) had on knowledge of status in a hyperendemic area of South Africa. METHODS We analysed data from the second cross-sectional HIV Incidence Provincial Surveillance System survey (2015/2016), a representative sample (n = 10,236) of individuals aged 15-49 years. Participants completed a questionnaire, provided blood samples for laboratory testing (used to estimate HIV prevalence), and were offered HBHTS. The proportion of people living with HIV (n = 3870) made aware of their status through HBHTS was measured, and factors associated with HBHTS uptake were identified. RESULTS Knowledge of HIV-positive status at the time of the survey was 62.9% among men and 73.4% among women. Through HBHTS, the percentage of HIV-positive men and women who knew their status rose to 74.2% and 80.5%, respectively. The largest impact was observed among youth (15-24 years). Knowledge of status increased from 36.6% to 59.3% and from 50.8% to 64.8% among young men and women, respectively. In addition, 51.4% of those who had previously never tested received their first test. Key reasons for declining HBHTS among undiagnosed HIV-positive individuals included fear and self-report of an HIV-negative status. CONCLUSIONS HBHTS was effective in increasing awareness of HIV-positive status, particularly among youth, men, and those who had never tested. HBHTS could have a marked impact on progress toward the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets within these subgroups.
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Mabuto T, Hansoti B, Kerrigan D, Mshweshwe‐Pakela N, Kubeka G, Charalambous S, Hoffmann C. HIV testing services in healthcare facilities in South Africa: a missed opportunity. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22:e25367. [PMID: 31599495 PMCID: PMC6785782 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION South Africa (SA) has the world's highest burden of HIV infection (approximately 7.2 million), yet it is estimated that 23.5% women and 31.5% of men are unaware that they are living with HIV. The 2015 national South African HIV testing guidelines mandate the universal offer of HIV testing services (HTS) in all healthcare facilities. METHODS A multi-prong approach was used from January 2017 to June 2017 to evaluate the current implementation of HTS in ten facilities in the Ekurhuleni District of SA. First, we conducted patient exit interviews to quantify engagement in HTS services. Second, we systematically mapped the flow of individual patients through the clinic. RESULTS We conducted a total of 2989 exit interviews and followed 568 patients for value stream mapping. Overall self-reported testing acceptance was high at 84.7% (244), but <10% of the patients (288) were offered testing. Female patients were more likely to be offered testing (233/2046, 11.4% vs. 55/943, 5.8% in males; chi-square p < 0.005), and also more likely to accept testing (203/233, 87.1% vs. 41/55, 74.6% in males; chi-square p = 0.02). Value stream mapping revealed that patients offered HIV testing had a total visit time of 51 minutes more (95% CI: 30-72) compared to those not offered testing. CONCLUSIONS The poor delivery of HTS appears to be due to a failure to recommend HTS and the added time burden placed on those accepting testing. There were significant differences in both the offer and acceptance of testing by gender. Health system issues need to be addressed to improve HTS delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonderai Mabuto
- Implementation Research DivisionThe Aurum InstituteJohannesburgSouth Africa
- The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public HealthJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Bhakti Hansoti
- Department of Emergency MedicineJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of International HealthJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | | | - Griffiths Kubeka
- Implementation Research DivisionThe Aurum InstituteJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- Implementation Research DivisionThe Aurum InstituteJohannesburgSouth Africa
- The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public HealthJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Christopher Hoffmann
- Department of MedicineJohns Hopkins University School of MedicineBaltimoreMDUSA
- Department of Health, Behavior, and SocietyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
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Shamu S, Farirai T, Kuwanda L, Slabbert J, Guloba G, Khupakonke S, Johnson S, Masihleho N, Kamera J, Nkhwashu N. Comparison of community-based HIV counselling and testing (CBCT) through index client tracing and other modalities: Outcomes in 13 South African high HIV prevalence districts by gender and age. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221215. [PMID: 31490938 PMCID: PMC6730921 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To increase HIV case finding in a Community-based HIV counselling and testing (CBCT) programme, an index client tracing modality was implemented to target index clients' sexual network and household members. OBJECTIVE To compare index client tracing modality's outcomes with other CBCT recruitment modalities (mobile, workplace, homebased), 2015-2017. METHODS Trained HIV counsellors identified HIV positive clients either through offering HIV tests to children and sexual partners of an HIV index client, or randomly offering HIV tests to anyone available in the community (mobile, home-based or workplace). Socio-demographic information and test results were recorded. Descriptive comparisons of client HIV test uptake and positivity were conducted by method of recruitment-index client tracing vs non-targeted community outreach. RESULTS Of the 1 282 369 people who tested for HIV overall, the index modality tested 3.9% of them, 1.9% in year 1 and 6.0% in year 2. The index modality tested more females than males (55.8% vs 44.2%) overall and in each year; tested higher proportions of children than other modalities: 10.1% vs 2.6% among 1-4 years, 12.2% vs 2.6% among the 5-9 years and 9.6% vs 3.4% among the 10-15 years. The index modality identified higher HIV positivity proportions than other modalities overall (10.3% 95%CI 10.0-10.6 vs. 7.3% 95%CI 7.25-7.36), in year 1 (9.4%; 8.9-9.9 vs 6.5%; 6.45-6.57) and year 2 (10.6%; 10.3-10.9 vs 8.2%; 8.09-8.23). Higher proportions of females (7.5%;7.4-7.5) than males (5.5%;5.4-5.5) tested positive overall. Positivity increased by age up to 49y with year 2's increased targeting of sexual partners. Overall linkage to care rose from 33.3% in year 1 to 78.9% in year 2. CONCLUSIONS Index testing was less effective in reaching large numbers of clients, but more effective in reaching children and identifying HIV positive people than other modalities. Targeting HIV positive people's partners and children increases HIV case finding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simukai Shamu
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
- University of the Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Thato Farirai
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Locadiah Kuwanda
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Jean Slabbert
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey Guloba
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Sikhulile Khupakonke
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Suzanne Johnson
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | | | - Nkhensani Nkhwashu
- Foundation for Professional Development, Health Systems Strengthening Division, Pretoria, South Africa
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Abstract
Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV has been promoted as a strategy to prevent HIV pandemics by changing sexual behaviour. Despite the provision of VCT in countries with generalized or high-burden epidemics, including Nigeria, the extent of its influence on behavioural change remains a conjecture. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of HIV VCT on sexual behaviour changes among youths in Nigeria. The study utilized 2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data. Data were analysed from a nationally representative sample drawn from 8046 females and 6031 males aged 15-24 giving a total sample of 14,077 never-married youths. Descriptive and analytical analyses were carried out, including multivariate logistic regression. The study found a low uptake of HIV VCT and regional variation in behavioural changes between female and male youths. Voluntary HIV counselling and testing was found to be a protective factor for condom use at last sex for female youths, but significantly reduced the likelihood of primary sexual abstinence for both females and males, as well as having a single sexual partner for female youths. After controlling HIV VCT with other variables, certain socioeconomic factors were found to be significantly associated with behavioural changes. Thus, the attitudes of most Nigerian youths towards voluntary HIV counselling and testing needs to be improved through socioeconomic factors for healthy sexual activity. To achieve this, government and non-governmental organizations, as well as religious leaders and policymakers, should engage in appropriate and long-term activities directed at the sexual health needs of never-married youths, through voluntary HIV counselling and testing, to encourage them to change their sexual behaviour.
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Cheng CY, Quaife M, Eakle R, Cabrera Escobar MA, Vickerman P, Terris-Prestholt F. Determinants of heterosexual men's demand for long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV in urban South Africa. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:996. [PMID: 31340785 PMCID: PMC6657137 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7276-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heterosexual men in South Africa are a large key population to exposure to HIV, yet preferences for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among this population have not, to date, been investigated in the literature. This paper aims to explore HIV prevention preferences among heterosexual men in urban South Africa, as well as to examine the demand and characteristics of men who favour long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP over condoms and oral PrEP. Methods Data were collected among 178 self-reported HIV-negative heterosexual men, who were given example products and information before being asked which they preferred. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse which characteristics were associated with product choice. Results 48% (n = 85) of participants preferred LAI PrEP, while 33% (n = 58) and 20% (n = 35) chose oral PrEP and condoms respectively. Having children (marginal effect = 0.22; 95% CI [0.01, 0.44]) or having higher risk attitude scores (marginal effect = 0.03; 95% CI [0.01, 0.06]) was significantly associated with a choice of LAI PrEP, while those who had unprotected anal intercourse (marginal effect = − 0.42; 95% CI [− 0.57, − 0.27]) and those who were concerned with protection against other sexually transmitted infections over HIV (marginal effect = − 0.42; 95% CI [− 0.60, − 0.24]) appeared less likely to prefer LAI PrEP. Conclusions The results suggested a relatively high demand and theoretical acceptability for LAI PrEP among heterosexual men in urban South Africa, but there appeared to be fewer distinct predictors for the willingness to use LAI PrEP compared to studies conducted among gay and bisexual men and women. Nevertheless, the findings contribute to the mapping of the demand and determinants of heterosexual men’s preferences for novel antiretroviral-based prevention in sub-Saharan Africa, and the data could aid in the differentiated design of future HIV prevention strategies using LAI PrEP in conjunction with other methods. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-7276-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yuan Cheng
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK. .,Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany. .,Division of Health Economics, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Matthew Quaife
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Robyn Eakle
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, 22 Esselen Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
| | - Maria A Cabrera Escobar
- Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, 22 Esselen Street, Hillbrow, Johannesburg, 2001, South Africa
| | - Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol, BS8 2PS, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
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Hauser A, Kusejko K, Johnson LF, Wandeler G, Riou J, Goldstein F, Egger M, Kouyos RD. Bridging the gap between HIV epidemiology and antiretroviral resistance evolution: Modelling the spread of resistance in South Africa. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1007083. [PMID: 31233494 PMCID: PMC6611642 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa substantially reduced AIDS-related deaths and new HIV infections. However, its success is threatened by the emergence of resistance to non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI). The MARISA (Modelling Antiretroviral drug Resistance In South Africa) model presented here aims at investigating the time trends and factors driving NNRTI resistance in South Africa. MARISA is a compartmental model that includes the key aspects of the local HIV epidemic: continuum of care, disease progression, and gender. The dynamics of NNRTI resistance emergence and transmission are then added to this framework. Model parameters are informed using data from HIV cohorts participating in the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) and literature estimates, or fitted to UNAIDS estimates. Using this novel approach of triangulating clinical and resistance data from various sources, MARISA reproduces the time trends of HIV in South Africa in 2005–2016, with a decrease in new infections, undiagnosed individuals, and AIDS-related deaths. MARISA captures the dynamics of the spread of NNRTI resistance: high levels of acquired drug resistance (ADR, in 83% of first-line treatment failures in 2016), and increasing transmitted drug resistance (TDR, in 8.1% of ART initiators in 2016). Simulation of counter-factual scenarios reflecting alternative public health policies shows that increasing treatment coverage would have resulted in fewer new infections and deaths, at the cost of higher TDR (11.6% in 2016 for doubling the treatment rate). Conversely, improving switching to second-line treatment would have led to lower TDR (6.5% in 2016 for doubling the switching rate) and fewer new infections and deaths. Implementing drug resistance testing would have had little impact. The rapid ART scale-up and inadequate switching to second-line treatment were the key drivers of the spread of NNRTI resistance in South Africa. However, even though some interventions could have substantially reduced the level of NNRTI resistance, no policy including NNRTI-based first line regimens could have prevented this spread. Thus, by combining epidemiological data on HIV in South Africa with biological data on resistance evolution, our modelling approach identified key factors driving NNRTI resistance, highlighting the need of alternative first-line regimens. Resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) threatens the long-term success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) roll-out in South Africa. We developed a compartmental model integrating the local HIV epidemiology with biological mechanisms of drug resistance. A first dimension of the model accounts for the continuum of care: infection, diagnosis, first-line treatment with suppression or failure, and second-line treatment. Other dimensions include: disease progression (CD4 counts), gender, and acquisition and transmission of NNRTI resistance. Whenever possible, we informed the parameters using the data available from local cohorts. Other parameters were informed using literature or UNAIDS estimates. The model captured the rise of NNRTI resistance during the period. We assessed the impact of counter-factual scenarios reflecting alternative countrywide policies during the period 2005 to 2016, considering either increasing ART coverage, improving management of treatment failure, broadening ART eligibility, or implementing drug resistance testing before ART initiation. We identified key drivers of the NNRTI resistance epidemic: large-scale ART roll-out and insufficient monitoring of first-line treatment failure. The model also suggested that no policy including NNRTI-based first line regimens could have prevented the spread of NNRTI resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Hauser
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Kusejko
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leigh F. Johnson
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gilles Wandeler
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Julien Riou
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fardo Goldstein
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roger D. Kouyos
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tim Shand
- Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA
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The multidimensionality of masculine norms in east Zimbabwe: implications for HIV prevention, testing and treatment. AIDS 2019; 33:537-546. [PMID: 30531399 PMCID: PMC6365253 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research and intervention studies suggest that men face challenges in using HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa. To address these challenges, quantitative measurements are needed to establish the individual-level determinants of masculine norms and their implications for HIV prevention and treatment programmes. METHODS Survey questions for four masculine norms identified in qualitative research were included in a general-population survey of 3116 men in east Zimbabwe, 2012-2013. Two sets of regression analyses were conducted in an structural equation modelling framework to examine: which sociodemographic characteristics were associated with high scores on each masculinity factor; and how high scores on these masculinity factors differed in their associations with sexual risk behaviour and use of HIV services. FINDINGS Sociodemographic characteristics associated with high factor scores differed between masculine norms. In HIV-negative men, more men with scores exceeding one standard deviation above the mean (high scorers) for antifemininity than men with scores under one standard deviation below the mean (low scorers) took steps to avoid infection (61 versus 54%, P < 0.01). Fewer high than low scorers on social status reported a recent HIV test (69 versus 74%, P = 0.04). In HIV-positive men, more high scorers on sex drive had been diagnosed (85 versus 61%, P = 0.02), were on antiretroviral treatment (91 versus 62%, P = 0.04), and were in AIDS groups (77 versus 46% P = 0.03). CONCLUSION HIV treatment, prevention programmes looking to engage men must consider the multidimensionality of masculine norms. The scale developed in this study is robust and can be used by other large multipurpose surveys to examine masculine social norms.
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Fleming PJ, Rosen JG, Wong VJ, Carrasco MA. Shedding light on a HIV blind spot: Factors associated with men's HIV testing in five African countries. Glob Public Health 2019; 14:1241-1251. [PMID: 30794471 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2019.1583266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Men's relatively low rates of HIV testing has been termed the 'HIV blind spot' and recently declared by UNAIDS as a top priority. This study uses data from five nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to explore factors associated with men's lifetime HIV testing. Between 29.3% and 34.9% of men ages 15-49 in these countries had never tested for HIV and men who held accepting attitudes towards gender-based violence, who lacked HIV knowledge, and who held stigmatising views of HIV were more likely to report never testing for HIV. Findings are interpreted, including a discussion of the possible unintended consequences of current 90-90-90 targets on men's relatively low testing rates. The results point to possible intervention opportunities to increase HIV testing among men in high-HIV prevalence settings in Eastern and Southern Africa and emphasise the importance of changing men's perceptions related to stigma and gender norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Fleming
- a Department of Health Behavior and Health Education , University of Michigan School of Public Health , Ann Arbor , MI , USA
| | - Joseph G Rosen
- b Office of HIV/AIDS , United States Agency for International Development , Washington , DC , USA
| | - Vincent J Wong
- b Office of HIV/AIDS , United States Agency for International Development , Washington , DC , USA
| | - Maria Augusta Carrasco
- b Office of HIV/AIDS , United States Agency for International Development , Washington , DC , USA
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Yoo H, Lee J, Yim JJ, Bärnighausen T, Tanser F, Park SK. Effect of the Number of Pregnancies on Mortality Risk in HIV-Infected Women: a Prospective Cohort Study in Rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:3971-3980. [PMID: 30073635 PMCID: PMC6208905 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated whether mortality risk increases with the number of full-term pregnancies in HIV-infected women. Our study is based on data from the ACDIS cohort, collected in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Mortality risk for different number of pregnancies in HIV-infected women was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards model. The risk of TB or AIDS mortality in HIV-uninfected women did not change with the number of full-term pregnancies, while the corresponding risk increased markedly in HIV-infected women. The risk of TB or AIDS mortality increased 1.48-fold (95% CI 1.25-1.75), 1.76-fold (95% CI 1.45-2.13), and 1.59-fold (95% CI 1.31-1.94) for one, two, and three or more full-term pregnancies compared to none, respectively. Finally, women who are young (age < 26) have greater risk of TB or AIDS mortality compared to women who are old (age ≥ 26), and women residing in rural areas have greater risk compared to women who reside in non-rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunsuk Yoo
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehakno, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-799, South Korea
| | - Juyeon Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehakno, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-799, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jae-Joon Yim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Frank Tanser
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
- Research Department of Infection & Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Sue K Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehakno, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 110-799, South Korea.
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
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Kiplagat J, Huschke S. HIV testing and counselling experiences: a qualitative study of older adults living with HIV in western Kenya. BMC Geriatr 2018; 18:257. [PMID: 30359223 PMCID: PMC6203278 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-018-0941-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding HIV infected persons and engaging them in care is crucial in achieving UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets; diagnosing 90% of those infected with HIV, initiating 90% of the diagnosed on ART and achieving viral suppression in 90% of those on ART. To achieve the first target, no person should be left behind in their access to HIV testing services. In Kenya, HIV prevention and testing services give less emphasis on older adults. This article describes HIV testing experiences of older adults living with HIV and how their age shaped their interaction and treatment received during HIV testing and diagnosis. METHODS We conducted a qualitative study in two HIV clinics (rural and urban) in western Kenya, and recruited 57 HIV infected persons aged ≥50 years. We conducted in depth interviews (IDIs) with 25 participants and 4 focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 32 participants and audio recorded all the sessions. Participants recruited were aged between 54 and 79 years with 43% being females. We transcribed audio records and analyzed the data using thematic content analysis method. RESULTS Older persons' experiences with HIV testing depended on where they tested (hospital or community setting); whether they actively sought the testing or not; and the age and gender of the healthcare provider who conducted the test. Participants expressed concerns with ageist discrimination when actively seeking HIV care testing services in hospital settings, characterized by providers' reluctance or refusal to test. The testing and counseling sessions were described as short and hurried within the hospital settings, whereas the interactions with service providers in home-based testing were experienced as appropriate and supportive. Participants in this study expressed preference for healthcare providers who were older and of similar gender. CONCLUSION HIV testing services are still not tailored to target older adults' needs in our setting resulting in late diagnosis among older persons. We argue that a scale-up of community level testing services that provide adequate testing and counselling time and actively reach out to older adults is key to attaining the UNAIDS targets of having 90% of PLWH know their status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jepchirchir Kiplagat
- Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Nandi Road, Eldoret, Kenya
- Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) Program, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Campus, Nandi Road, Eldoret, Kenya
- The University of Witwatersrand, School of Public Health, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193 South Africa
| | - Susann Huschke
- Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick, V94 T9PX Ireland
- School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics, Queen’s University Belfast, 25 University Square, Belfast, BT7 1NN UK
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Kufa T, Maseko VD, Nhlapo D, Radebe F, Puren A, Kularatne RS. Knowledge of HIV status and antiretroviral therapy use among sexually transmitted infections service attendees and the case for improving the integration of services in South Africa: A cross sectional study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12575. [PMID: 30278565 PMCID: PMC6181585 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, correct report of HIV status and antiretroviral therapy (ART) use among sexually transmitted infection (STI) service attendees in South Africa.An anonymous questionnaire was administered and serological HIV testing done. Proportions of attendees reporting knowledge of HIV status and HIV status consistent with laboratory results and ART use (among HIV positives) were determined as were factors associated with knowledge and inconsistent report of HIV status.Of 1054 attendees, 288 (27.3%) were HIV positive and 830 (78.8%) self-reported knowledge of HIV status. Not knowing one's HIV status was associated with male gender [adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) 2.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.70-4.18] medical circumcision [aOR 0.48 (95% CI 0.24-0.95)] and site [Gauteng Province (GP)-aOR 6.20 (95% CI 3.51-10.95), Eastern Cape (EC)-aOR 17.29 (95% CI 10.08- 29.66) versus Free State (FS)/Western Cape (WC) sites]. Of 219 HIV positive attendees with knowledge of HIV status, 136 (62.1%) self-reported being HIV positive, of whom 80 (58.8%) reported taking ARVs in the preceding 3 days. Inconsistent report of status was associated with males [aOR 2.26 (95%CI 1.05-4.87)], prior STI treatment [aOR 0.33 (95% CI 0.16-0.69)], recent HIV testing (6months) [aOR 3.20 (95% CI 1.62-6.36)] and site [GP-aOR 6.89 (95% 3.21-14.82), EC-aOR 5.08 (95% CI 2.15-11.64) versus FS/WC sites]. Knowledge of HIV status was lower than targeted. HIV testing and linkage to care services are essential in STI-related care and validation of self-reported indicators in this population maybe necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tendesayi Kufa
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
- The School of Public Health
| | - Venessa D. Maseko
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
| | - Duduzile Nhlapo
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
| | - Frans Radebe
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
| | - Adrian Puren
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
- Division of Virology, School of Pathology
| | - Ranmini S. Kularatne
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Agolory S, de Klerk M, Baughman AL, Sawadogo S, Mutenda N, Pentikainen N, Shoopala N, Wolkon A, Taffa N, Mutandi G, Jonas A, Mengistu AT, Dzinotyiweyi E, Prybylski D, Hamunime N, Medley A. Low Case Finding Among Men and Poor Viral Load Suppression Among Adolescents Are Impeding Namibia's Ability to Achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy200. [PMID: 30211248 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background In 2015, Namibia implemented an Acceleration Plan to address the high burden of HIV (13.0% adult prevalence and 216 311 people living with HIV [PLHIV]) and achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets by 2020. We provide an update on Namibia's overall progress toward achieving these targets and estimate the percent reduction in HIV incidence since 2010. Methods Data sources include the 2013 Namibia Demographic and Health Survey (2013 NDHS), the national electronic patient monitoring system, and laboratory data from the Namibian Institute of Pathology. These sources were used to estimate (1) the percentage of PLHIV who know their HIV status, (2) the percentage of PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART), (3) the percentage of patients on ART with suppressed viral loads, and (4) the percent reduction in HIV incidence. Results In the 2013 NDHS, knowledge of HIV status was higher among HIV-positive women 91.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.4%-93.7%) than HIV-positive men 82.5% (95% CI, 78.1%-86.1%). At the end of 2016, an estimated 88.3% (95% CI, 86.3%-90.1%) of PLHIV knew their status, and 165 939 (76.7%) PLHIV were active on ART. The viral load suppression rate among those on ART was 87%, and it was highest among ≥20-year-olds (90%) and lowest among 15-19-year-olds (68%). HIV incidence has declined by 21% since 2010. Conclusions With 76.7% of PLHIV on ART and 87% of those on ART virally suppressed, Namibia is on track to achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets by 2020. Innovative strategies are needed to improve HIV case identification among men and adherence to ART among youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Agolory
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Michael de Klerk
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | | | - Nicholus Mutenda
- Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | - Naemi Shoopala
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Adam Wolkon
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Negussie Taffa
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Gram Mutandi
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Anna Jonas
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Windhoek, Namibia
| | | | | | | | - Ndapewa Hamunime
- Namibia Ministry of Health and Social Services, Windhoek, Namibia
| | - Amy Medley
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
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Jain K, Mshweshwe-Pakela NT, Charalambous S, Mabuto T, Hoffmann CJ. Enhancing value and lowering costs of care: a qualitative exploration of a randomized linkage to care intervention in South Africa. AIDS Care 2018; 31:481-488. [PMID: 30078352 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1503636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
While interventions to improve HIV linkage and retention in care exist, none have demonstrated results sufficient to reach UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals. We explored values and costs of seeking clinical care through testing three strategies to improve linkage to care: Point of care CD4 testing alone (POC-CD4), POC-CD4 combined with transportation support and combined with care facilitation. We conducted in-depth interviews with participants and transcribed audio-recordings of care facilitation sessions. Participants described values and costs enhanced or addressed by the three interventions. Psychosocial support provided through the care facilitation intervention appeared salient. Participants named other values and costs of seeking care unrelated to the intervention, such as encouragement from healthcare workers and aversion to lifelong treatment. Combined with the quantitative results of this trial, these findings may point to why the care facilitation arm was successful but not the POC-CD4 only or transportation arms. It also provides guidance for future interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kriti Jain
- a Department of Health, Behavior, and Society , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA
| | | | - Salome Charalambous
- b The Aurum Institute , Johannesburg , South Africa.,c The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Tonderai Mabuto
- b The Aurum Institute , Johannesburg , South Africa.,c The University of the Witwatersrand School of Public Health , Johannesburg , South Africa
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- a Department of Health, Behavior, and Society , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.,b The Aurum Institute , Johannesburg , South Africa.,d Department of Medicine , Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore , MD , USA
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