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Evangeli M, Gnan G, Musiime V, Fidler S, Seeley J, Frize G, Uwizera A, Lisi M, Foster C. The HIV Empowering Adults' Decisions to Share: UK/Uganda (HEADS-UP) Study-A Randomised Feasibility Trial of an HIV Disclosure Intervention for Young Adults with Perinatally Acquired HIV. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04294-2. [PMID: 38491226 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Young adults with perinatally acquired HIV (PAH) face numerous challenges, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, managing onward HIV transmission risks and maintaining wellbeing. Sharing one's HIV status with others (onward HIV disclosure) may assist with these challenges but this is difficult. We developed and tested the feasibility of an intervention to help HIV status sharing decision-making for young adults with PAH. The study used a randomised parallel group feasibility design with 18-25-year-olds in Uganda and 18-29 year-olds in the UK. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention or standard of care (SOC) condition. The intervention consisted of four sessions (3 group, 1 individual) with follow-up support, delivered in person in Uganda and remotely in the UK. Assessments were carried out at: Pre-intervention /baseline; Post-intervention (intervention group only); Six-month follow-up. 142 participants were recruited (94 Uganda, 48 UK; 89 female, 53 male). At six-month follow-up, 92/94 (98%) participants were retained in Uganda, 25/48 (52%) in the UK. Multivariate analysis of combined data from both countries, showed a non-significant effect of intervention condition on HIV disclosure cognitions and affect (p = 0.08) and HIV disclosure intention (p = 0.09). There was a significant intervention effect on well-being (p = 0.005). This study addressed important gaps in understanding acceptable and feasible ways of delivering HIV status sharing support for young people living with PAH across two very different settings. The intervention was acceptable in both countries and feasible in Uganda. In the UK, retention may have been affected by its remote delivery.Trial registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN31852047, Registered on 21 January 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Evangeli
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK.
| | - Georgina Gnan
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Victor Musiime
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Joint Clinical Research Centre, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Graham Frize
- Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Matteo Lisi
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
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Nanyonjo G, Kwena Z, Nakamanya S, Okello E, Oketch B, Bahemuka UM, Ssetaala A, Okech B, Price MA, Kapiga S, Fast P, Bukusi E, Seeley J. Finding women in fishing communities around Lake Victoria: "Feasibility and acceptability of using phones and tracking devices". PLoS One 2024; 19:e0290634. [PMID: 38206982 PMCID: PMC10783786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Women in fishing communities have both high HIV prevalence and incidence, hence they are a priority population for HIV prevention and treatment interventions. However, their mobility is likely to compromise the effectiveness of interventions. We assessed the acceptability, feasibility and of using phones and global positioning system (GPS) devices for tracking mobility, to inform future health research innovations. METHODS A mult-site formative qualitative study was conducted in six purposively selected Fishing Communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Participants were selected based on duration of stay in the community and frequency of movement. Sixty-four (64) women participated in the study (16 per fishing community). Twenty-four (24) participants were given a study phone; 24 were asked to use their own phones and 16 were provided with a portable GPS device to understand what is most preferred. Women were interviewed about their experiences and recommendations on carrying GPS devices or phones. Twenty four (24) Focus Group Discussions with 8-12 participants were conducted with community members to generate data on community perceptions regarding GPS devices and phones acceptability among women. Data were analyzed thematically and compared across sites/countries. RESULTS Women reported being willing to use tracking devices (both phones and GPS) because they are easy to carry. Their own phone was preferred compared to a study phone and GPS device because they were not required to carry an additional device, worry about losing it or be questioned about the extra device by their sexual partner. Women who carried GPS devices suggested more sensitization in communities to avoid domestic conflicts and public concern. Women suggested changing the GPS colour from white to a darker colour and, design to look like a commonly used object such as a telephone Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, a rosary/necklace or a ring for easy and safe storage. CONCLUSION Women in the study communities were willing to have their movements tracked, embraced the use of phones and GPS devices for mobility tracking. Devices need to be redesigned to be more discrete, but they could be valuable tools to understanding movement patterns and inform design of interventions for these mobile populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zachary Kwena
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sarah Nakamanya
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Elialilia Okello
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Bertha Oketch
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ubaldo M. Bahemuka
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Ali Ssetaala
- UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine Program Limited, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Brenda Okech
- UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine Program Limited, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Matt A. Price
- IAVI, New York, NY, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), Mwanza, Tanzania
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pat Fast
- IAVI, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI & LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Kwena ZA, Bukusi EA, Turan JM, Darbes L, Farquhar C, Makokha C, Baeten JM. Effects of the Waya Intervention on Marital Satisfaction and HIV Risk Behaviors in Western Kenya: A Pre-Post Study Design. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3689-3701. [PMID: 35338399 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02180-9] [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: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Poor marital satisfaction is associated with high-risk sexual behavior and HIV transmission. We tested whether a counselor-led couple education and counseling intervention dubbed Waya (paternal aunt) would improve marital satisfaction and reduce HIV risk behavior among married couples in Kisumu County, western Kenya. In a pre-post design, we enrolled 60 heterosexual married couples at high risk for HIV to undergo five 1-h couple education and counseling sessions over 56 days. We collected self-reported data on marital satisfaction, the number of sex partners, and condom use with extramarital partners at pre- and post-intervention visits. We used Wilcoxon and McNemar tests to examine the association of our intervention with marital relationship satisfaction and reduction in HIV risk sexual behavior. The intervention was associated with marital relationship satisfaction score improvement from a median of 5 (interquartile range [IQR], 4-5) to 6 (IQR, 6-7) among men and 4 (IQR, 3-5) to 6 (IQR, 5-6) among women (p < .01). The intervention was also associated with reducing HIV risk sexual behaviors depicted by a reduction in the number of sex partners in the past one month and an increase in consistent extramarital condom use. The number of sex partners reduced from a median of 2 (IQR, 1-2) to 1 (IQR, 1-2) and consistent extramarital condom use increased from 4% at baseline to 56% among men. Our intervention was associated with improvements in marital relationship satisfaction and reductions in HIV high-risk behaviors necessary for achieving epidemic control in HIV hotspots such as fishing communities in western Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Arochi Kwena
- Center for Microbiology Research, Research Care & Training Program, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 614, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya.
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Center for Microbiology Research, Research Care & Training Program, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 614, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
| | - Janet M Turan
- Department of Health Care Organization and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Lynae Darbes
- Department of Health Behavior and Biological Sciences, Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Carey Farquhar
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine, and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Catherine Makokha
- Center for Microbiology Research, Research Care & Training Program, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Box 614, Kisumu, 40100, Kenya
| | - Jared M Baeten
- Departments of Global Health, Medicine, and Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Hodges J, Caldwell S, Cohn W, Flickinger T, Waldman AL, Dillingham R, Castel A, Ingersoll K. Evaluation of the implementation and effectiveness of a mobile health intervention to improve outcomes for people with HIV in the DC Cohort: a study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e37748. [PMID: 35349466 PMCID: PMC9077495 DOI: 10.2196/37748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gaps remain in achieving retention in care and durable HIV viral load suppression for people with HIV in Washington, DC (hereafter DC). Although people with HIV seeking care in DC have access to a range of supportive services, innovative strategies are needed to enhance patient engagement in this setting. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have shown promise in reaching previously underengaged groups and improving HIV-related outcomes in various settings. Objective This study will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of a clinic-deployed, multifeature mHealth intervention called PositiveLinks (PL) among people with HIV enrolled in the DC Cohort, a longitudinal cohort of people with HIV receiving care in DC. A cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted using a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design and will compare HIV-related outcomes between clinics randomized to PL versus usual care. Methods The study aims are threefold: (1) We will perform a formative evaluation of PL in the context of DC Cohort clinics to test the feasibility, acceptability, and usability of PL and tailor the platform for use in this context. (2) We will conduct a cluster randomized controlled trial with 12 DC Cohort clinics randomized to PL or usual care (n=6 [50%] per arm) and measure the effectiveness of PL by the primary outcomes of patient visit constancy, retention in care, and HIV viral load suppression. We aim to enroll a total of 482 participants from DC Cohort clinic sites, specifically including people with HIV who show evidence of inconsistent retention in care or lack of viral suppression. (3) We will use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and the Reach Effectiveness Adoption Implementation Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework to measure implementation success and identify site, patient, provider, and system factors associated with successful implementation. Evaluation activities will occur pre-, mid-, and postimplementation. Results Formative data collection was completed between April 2021 and January 2022. Preliminary mHealth platform modifications have been performed, and the first round of user testing has been completed. A preimplementation evaluation was performed to identify relevant implementation outcomes and design a suite of instruments to guide data collection for evaluation of PL implementation throughout the trial period. Instruments include those already developed to support DC Cohort Study activities and PL implementation in other cohorts, which required modification for use in the study, as well as novel instruments designed to complete data collection, as guided by the CFIR and RE-AIM frameworks. Conclusions Formative and preimplementation evaluations will be completed in spring 2022 when the trial is planned to launch. Specifically, comprehensive formative data analysis will be completed following data collection, coding, preliminary review, and synthesis. Corresponding platform modifications are ready for beta testing within the DC Cohort. Finalization of the platform for use in the trial will follow beta testing. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04998019; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04998019 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/37748
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Hodges
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, US
| | - Sylvia Caldwell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, US
| | - Wendy Cohn
- Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, US
| | - Tabor Flickinger
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, US
| | - Ava Lena Waldman
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, US
| | - Rebecca Dillingham
- Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, University of Virginia, 1215 Lee St, Charlottesville, US
| | - Amanda Castel
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, US
| | - Karen Ingersoll
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, US
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Effectiveness of eHealth Interventions for HIV Prevention and Management in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-analyses. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:457-469. [PMID: 34427813 PMCID: PMC8813706 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03402-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
HIV is still the leading cause of death in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), despite medical advances. eHealth interventions are effective for HIV prevention and management, but it is unclear whether this can be generalised to resource-poor settings. This systematic review aimed to establish the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in SSA. Six electronic databases were screened to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) published between 2000 and 2020. Meta-analyses were performed, following Cochrane methodology, to assess the impact of eHealth interventions on HIV-related behaviours and biological outcomes. 25 RCTs were included in the review. Meta-analyses show that eHealth interventions significantly improved HIV management behaviours (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.05-1.40; Z = 2.67; p = 0.008), but not HIV prevention behaviours (OR 1.02; 95% CI 0.78-1.34; Z = 0.17; p = 0.86) or biological outcomes (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.89-1.54; Z = 1.10; p = 0.27) compared with minimal intervention control groups. It is a hugely important finding that eHealth interventions can improve HIV management behaviours as this is a low-cost way of improving HIV outcomes and reducing the spread of HIV in SSA. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020186025.
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Pancras G, Sunguya BF, Sirili N, Balandya E, Lyamuya E, Mmbaga BT. The role of community advisory boards in community-based HIV clinical trials: a qualitative study from Tanzania. BMC Med Ethics 2022; 23:1. [PMID: 34996450 PMCID: PMC8741593 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-021-00737-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community Advisory Boards (CAB) have become essential organs of involving communities in HIV clinical trials especially in developing countries. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the role of CABs in low and middle-income countries including Tanzania. This study aims at exploring the role of CABs in community-based HIV clinical trials conducted in Tanzania. METHODOLOGY We adopted a phenomenological approach to purposefully select HIV clinical trial stakeholders. These included CAB members, researchers and Institutional Review Board (IRB) members in Tanzania. We conducted In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with ten participants and three Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with eighteen participants. The data were thematically analyzed with the aid of MAXQDA software version 20.2.1. RESULTS The findings indicate that at every stage of implementation of a community-based HIV clinical trial, a functioning CAB is important for its success. This importance is based on contextualization of the informed consent process and protocol, managing rumours in the community, weighing trial risks and benefits, sensitizing the community, assisting participant recruitment, tracing and retention. However, being perceived as financial beneficiaries than community representatives emerged as a challenge to CAB members. CONCLUSION The study empirically indicates the need for functioning CABs in every stage of implementation of community-based HIV clinical trials. The roles of which are interwoven in serving research goals and protecting the interests of the community and that of trial participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Pancras
- Department of Bioethics and Health Professionalism, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O. Box. 65001, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
| | - Bruno F Sunguya
- Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Nathanael Sirili
- Department of Development Studies, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Emmanuel Balandya
- Department of Department of Physiology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Eligius Lyamuya
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Blandina T Mmbaga
- Department of Pediatrics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Kilimanjaro, United Republic of Tanzania
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Kilimanjaro, United Republic of Tanzania
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Predictors of retention in the prospective HIV prevention OKAPI cohort in Kinshasa. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5431. [PMID: 33686218 PMCID: PMC7970874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84839-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Retention is a key element in HIV prevention programs. In Sub-Saharan Africa most data on retention come from HIV clinical trials or people living with HIV attending HIV treatment and control programs. Data from observational cohorts are less frequent. Retention at 6-/12-month follow-up and its predictors were analyzed in OKAPI prospective cohort. From April 2016 to April 2018, 797 participants aged 15-59 years attending HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing in Kinshasa were interviewed about HIV-related knowledge and behaviors at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Retention rates were 57% and 27% at 6- and 12-month follow up; 22% of participants attended both visits. Retention at 6-month was significantly associated with 12-month retention. Retention was associated with low economic status, being studying, daily/weekly Internet access, previous HIV tests and aiming to share HIV test with partner. Contrarily, perceiving a good health, living far from an antiretroviral center, daily/weekly alcohol consumption and perceiving frequent HIV information were inversely associated with retention. In conclusion, a high attrition was found among people attending HIV testing participating in a prospective cohort in Kinshasa. Considering the low retention rates and the predictors found in this study, more HIV cohort studies in Kinshasa need to be evaluated to identify local factors and strategies that could improve retention if needed.
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Gillies K, Kearney A, Keenan C, Treweek S, Hudson J, Brueton VC, Conway T, Hunter A, Murphy L, Carr PJ, Rait G, Manson P, Aceves-Martins M. Strategies to improve retention in randomised trials. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021; 3:MR000032. [PMID: 33675536 PMCID: PMC8092429 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.mr000032.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor retention of participants in randomised trials can lead to missing outcome data which can introduce bias and reduce study power, affecting the generalisability, validity and reliability of results. Many strategies are used to improve retention but few have been formally evaluated. OBJECTIVES To quantify the effect of strategies to improve retention of participants in randomised trials and to investigate if the effect varied by trial setting. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science Core Collection (SCI-expanded, SSCI, CPSI-S, CPCI-SSH and ESCI) either directly with a specified search strategy or indirectly through the ORRCA database. We also searched the SWAT repository to identify ongoing or recently completed retention trials. We did our most recent searches in January 2020. SELECTION CRITERIA We included eligible randomised or quasi-randomised trials of evaluations of strategies to increase retention that were embedded in 'host' randomised trials from all disease areas and healthcare settings. We excluded studies aiming to increase treatment compliance. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We extracted data on: the retention strategy being evaluated; location of study; host trial setting; method of randomisation; numbers and proportions in each intervention and comparator group. We used a risk difference (RD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to estimate the effectiveness of the strategies to improve retention. We assessed heterogeneity between trials. We applied GRADE to determine the certainty of the evidence within each comparison. MAIN RESULTS We identified 70 eligible papers that reported data from 81 retention trials. We included 69 studies with more than 100,000 participants in the final meta-analyses, of which 67 studies evaluated interventions aimed at trial participants and two evaluated interventions aimed at trial staff involved in retention. All studies were in health care and most aimed to improve postal questionnaire response. Interventions were categorised into broad comparison groups: Data collection; Participants; Sites and site staff; Central study management; and Study design. These intervention groups consisted of 52 comparisons, none of which were supported by high-certainty evidence as determined by GRADE assessment. There were four comparisons presenting moderate-certainty evidence, three supporting retention (self-sampling kits, monetary reward together with reminder or prenotification and giving a pen at recruitment) and one reducing retention (inclusion of a diary with usual follow-up compared to usual follow-up alone). Of the remaining studies, 20 presented GRADE low-certainty evidence and 28 presented very low-certainty evidence. Our findings do provide a priority list for future replication studies, especially with regard to comparisons that currently rely on a single study. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Most of the interventions we identified aimed to improve retention in the form of postal questionnaire response. There were few evaluations of ways to improve participants returning to trial sites for trial follow-up. None of the comparisons are supported by high-certainty evidence. Comparisons in the review where the evidence certainty could be improved with the addition of well-done studies should be the focus for future evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Gillies
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Anna Kearney
- Dept. of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ciara Keenan
- Campbell UK & Ireland, Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation, Queen's University, Belfast, UK
| | - Shaun Treweek
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Jemma Hudson
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Valerie C Brueton
- Department of Adult Nursing, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College, London, UK
| | - Thomas Conway
- Clinical Research Facility Galway, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Andrew Hunter
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Murphy
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Peter J Carr
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Greta Rait
- Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Manson
- Health Services Research Unit (HSRU), University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Toms K, Potter H, Balaba M, Parkes-Ratanshi R. Efficacy of HIV interventions in African fishing communities: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 101:326-333. [PMID: 33017696 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.09.1476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to qualitatively synthesize existing evidence on the efficacy of HIV interventions in African fishing communities. METHODS Five databases (NCBI PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, The Cochrane Library, and CABI Global Health Database) were searched in March 2019 for eligible studies. All peer-reviewed papers with a defined HIV intervention explicitly mentioning African fishing communities were included. Outcomes included any measure of the efficacy of HIV interventions. RESULTS Of 22,289 search results, data was extracted from 25 eligible studies that passed critical appraisal; seven involved HIV prevention, six HIV testing and counseling, three treatment, and nine combinations of more than one intervention. Findings include a high coverage of safe male circumcision (SMC) but low condom use among fisher folk, and a preference for PrEP over other HIV prevention services. Uptake of HIV testing and ART coverage are below levels required to reach UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, and there is a high demand for ART and HIV self-testing kits. CONCLUSIONS Greater provision of services to combat HIV, specifically amongst fishing communities, is required; there is limited information on retaining fisher folk in care and achieving an undetectable viral load. Interventions tailored to individual fishing populations, offered in parallel to education or counseling services are likely to be most effective. Use of innovations, including mobile health and medical drones, could assist these hard-to-reach populations. Our findings will inform future HIV service provision in fishing communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieran Toms
- University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 111 Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
| | - Harriet Potter
- University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Box 111 Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SP, UK.
| | - Martin Balaba
- Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
- Cambridge Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Forvie Site, Cambridge, CB2 0SR, UK.
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Kwena Z, Nakamanya S, Nanyonjo G, Okello E, Fast P, Ssetaala A, Oketch B, Price M, Kapiga S, Bukusi E, Seeley J. Understanding mobility and sexual risk behaviour among women in fishing communities of Lake Victoria in East Africa: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:944. [PMID: 32539818 PMCID: PMC7296721 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV-prevalence and incidence is high in many fishing communities around Lake Victoria in East Africa. In these settings, mobility among women is high and may contribute to increased risk of HIV infection and poor access to effective prevention and treatment services. Understanding the nature and patterns of this mobility is important for the design of interventions. We conducted an exploratory study to understand the nature and patterns of women's mobility to inform the design of HIV intervention trials in fishing communities of Lake Victoria. METHODS This was a cross-sectional formative qualitative study conducted in six purposively selected fishing communities in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Potential participants were screened for eligibility on age (18+ years) and having stayed in the fishing community for more than 6 months. We collected data using introductory and focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with key informants. Data focused on: history and patterns of mobility, migration in and out of fishing communities and the relationship between mobility and HIV infection. Since the interviews and discussions were not audio-recorded, detailed notes were taken and written up into full scripts for analysis. We conducted a thematic analysis using constant comparison analysis. RESULTS Participants reported that women in fishing communities were highly mobile for work-related activities. Overall, we categorized mobility as travels over long and short distances or periods depending on the kind of livelihood activity women were involved in. Participants reported that women often travelled to new places, away from familiar contacts and far from healthcare access. Some women were reported to engage in high risk sexual behaviour and disengaging from HIV care. However, participants reported that women often returned to the fishing communities they considered home, or followed a seasonal pattern of work, which would facilitate contact with service providers. CONCLUSION Women exhibited circular and seasonal mobility patterns over varying distances and duration away from their home communities. These mobility patterns may limit women's access to trial/health services and put them at risk of HIV-infection. Interventions should be tailored to take into account mobility patterns of seasonal work observed in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Kwena
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
| | - Sarah Nakamanya
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute MRC/UVRI and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Gertrude Nanyonjo
- Uganda Virus Research Institute-International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (UVRI-IAVI) Project, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Elialilia Okello
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Pat Fast
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Ali Ssetaala
- Uganda Virus Research Institute-International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (UVRI-IAVI) Project, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bertha Oketch
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Matt Price
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), New York, USA
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit (MITU), National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Bukusi
- Research Care and Training Program (RCTP), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Janet Seeley
- Medical Research Council/Uganda Virus Research Institute MRC/UVRI and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Opportunities to Leverage Telehealth Approaches Along the Hypertension Control Cascade in Sub-Saharan Africa. Curr Hypertens Rep 2019; 21:75. [PMID: 31451940 DOI: 10.1007/s11906-019-0983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current literature on use of telehealth at different stages of the hypertension control cascade in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to discuss opportunities to harness technology infrastructure in SSA to improve population-level blood pressure control. RECENT FINDINGS Despite the high burden of hypertension in SAA, strategies to improve awareness, diagnosis, and management are inadequate. In high-income countries, telehealth has increased patient access to high-quality care at reduced costs. Notwithstanding the limited evidence on the use of telehealth at the different stages of the hypertension control cascade in SSA, the few published interventions in this review reported reduction of blood pressure and increase in the proportion of individuals with controlled blood pressure. Telehealth use across the hypertension control cascade in SSA is promising. These under-resourced settings provide opportunity to better understand the demand for these interventions in order to achieve meaningful clinical outcomes.
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