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Bogart LM, Shazi Z, MacCarthy S, Mendoza-Graf A, Wara NJ, Zionts D, Dube N, Govere S, Bassett IV. Implementation of South Africa's Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution Program for HIV Treatment: A Qualitative Evaluation. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:2600-2612. [PMID: 35122215 PMCID: PMC8815398 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03602-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
We used the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model to evaluate implementation of South Africa’s Central Chronic Medicine Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) program, a differentiated service delivery program which allows clinically stable HIV-positive patients to receive antiretroviral therapy refills at clinic- or community-based pick-up points. Across ten clinics, we conducted 109 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (pick-up point staff, CCMDD service providers and administrators) and 16 focus groups with 138 patients. Participants had highly favorable attitudes and said CCMDD decreased stigma concerns. Patient-level barriers included inadequate education about CCMDD and inability to get refills on designated dates. Organizational-level barriers included challenges with communication and transportation, errors in medication packaging and tracking, rigid CCMDD rules, and inadequate infrastructure. Recommendations included: (1) provide patient education and improve communication around refills (at the patient level); (2) provide dedicated space and staff, and ongoing training (at the organizational/clinic level); and (3) allow for prescription renewal at pick-up points and less frequent refills, and provide feedback to clinics (at the CCMDD program level).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Bogart
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA.
| | - Zinhle Shazi
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sarah MacCarthy
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA, 90407-2138, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | - Nafisa J Wara
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dani Zionts
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nduduzo Dube
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Ingrid V Bassett
- Medical Practice Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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DeStigter K, Pool KL, Leslie A, Hussain S, Tan BS, Donoso-Bach L, Andronikou S. Optimizing integrated imaging service delivery by tier in low-resource health systems. Insights Imaging 2021; 12:129. [PMID: 34529166 PMCID: PMC8444174 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-021-01073-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to imaging diagnostics has been shown to result in accurate treatment, management, and optimal outcomes. Particularly in low-income and low-middle-income countries (LICs, LMICs), access is limited due to a lack of adequate resources. To achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, access to imaging services is critical at every tier of the health system. Optimizing imaging services in low-resource settings is best accomplished by prescriptive, integrated, and coordinated tiered service delivery that takes contextual factors into consideration. To our knowledge, this is the first recommendation for optimized, specific imaging care delivery by tier. A model for tier-based essential imaging services informs and guides policymakers as they set priorities and make budgetary decisions. In this paper, we recommend a framework for tiered imaging services essential to reduce the global burden of disease and attain universal health coverage (UHC). A lack of access to basic imaging services, even at the lowest tier of the health system, can no longer be justified by cost. Worldwide, affordable modalities of modern ultrasound and X-ray are becoming an accessible mainstay for the investigation of common conditions such as pregnancy, pneumonia, and fractures, and are safely performed and interpreted by qualified professionals. Finally, given the vast gap in access to imaging resources between LMICs and high-income countries (HICs), a scale-up of tiered imaging services in low-resource settings has the potential to reduce health disparities between, and within countries. As the access to appropriately integrated imaging services improves, UHC may be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen DeStigter
- Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 111 Colchester Avenue Main Campus, McClure, Level 1, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Kara-Lee Pool
- RAD-AID International, 8004 Ellingson Drive, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, USA.
| | - Abimbola Leslie
- Department of Radiology, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, 111 Colchester Avenue Main Campus, McClure, Level 1, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA
| | - Sarwat Hussain
- Department of Radiology, University of Massachusetts, 55 North Lake Ave, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA
| | - Bien Soo Tan
- Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Rd, Singapore, 169608, Singapore
| | - Lluis Donoso-Bach
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, C. de Villarroel, 170, 08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Savvas Andronikou
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
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Williams SM, Renjua J, Moshabela M, Wringe A. Understanding the influence of health systems on women's experiences of Option B+: A meta-ethnography of qualitative research from sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Public Health 2021; 16:167-185. [PMID: 33284727 PMCID: PMC7612946 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1851385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We explored women's experiences of Option B+ in sub-Saharan African health facility settings through a meta-ethnography of 32 qualitative studies published between 2010 and 2019. First and second-order constructs were identified from the data and authors' interpretations respectively. Using a health systems lens, third-order constructs explored how the health systems shaped women's experiences of Option B+ and their subsequent engagement in care. Women's experiences of Option B+ services were influenced by their interactions with health workers, which were often reported to be inadequate and rushed, reflecting insufficient staffing or training to address pregnant women's needs. Women's experiences were also undermined by various manifestations of stigma which persisted in the absence of resources for social or mental health support, and were exacerbated by space constraints in health facilities that infringed on patient confidentiality. Sub-optimal service accessibility, drug stock-outs and inadequate tracing systems also shaped women's experiences of care. Strengthening health systems by improving health worker capacity to provide respectful and high-quality clinical and support services, improving supply chains and improving the privacy of consultation spaces would improve women's experiences of Option B+ services, thereby contributing to improved care retention. These lessons should be considered as universal test and treat programmes expand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Williams
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jenny Renjua
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Mosa Moshabela
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Alison Wringe
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Songo J, Wringe A, Hassan F, McLean E, Vyas S, Dube A, Luwanda L, Kalua T, Kajoka D, Crampin A, Todd J, Schouten E, Seeley J, Geubbels E, Renju J. Implications of HIV treatment policies on the health workforce in rural Malawi and Tanzania between 2013 and 2017: Evidence from the SHAPE-UTT study. Glob Public Health 2020; 16:256-273. [PMID: 32479141 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1771395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Effective implementation of policies for expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires a well-trained and adequately staffed workforce. Changes in national HIV workforce policies, health facility practices, and provider experiences were examined in rural Malawi and Tanzania between 2013 and 2017. In both countries, task-shifting and task-sharing policies were explicit by 2013. In facilities, the cadre mix of providers varied by site and changed over time, with a higher and growing proportion of lower cadre staff in the Malawi site. In Malawi, the introduction of lay counsellors was perceived to have eased the workload of other providers, but lay counsellors reported inadequate support. Both countries had guidance on the minimum numbers of personnel required to deliver HIV services. However, patient loads per provider increased in both settings for HIV tests and visits by ART patients and were not met with corresponding increases in provider capacity in either setting. Providers reported this as a challenge. Although increasing patient numbers bodes well for achieving universal antiretroviral therapy coverage, the quality of care may be undermined by increased workloads and insufficient provider training. Task-shifting strategies may help address workload concerns, but require careful monitoring, supervision and mentoring to ensure effective implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Songo
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Malawi
| | | | | | - Estelle McLean
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Malawi.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Seema Vyas
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Albert Dube
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Malawi
| | | | | | - Deborah Kajoka
- Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Amelia Crampin
- Malawi Epidemiology & Intervention Research Unit, Malawi.,London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | - Jim Todd
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
| | | | - Janet Seeley
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Jenny Renju
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK.,Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Tanzania
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Karimi‐Shahanjarini A, Shakibazadeh E, Rashidian A, Hajimiri K, Glenton C, Noyes J, Lewin S, Laurant M, Colvin CJ. Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of doctor-nurse substitution strategies in primary care: a qualitative evidence synthesis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019; 4:CD010412. [PMID: 30982950 PMCID: PMC6462850 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010412.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Having nurses take on tasks that are typically conducted by doctors (doctor-nurse substitution, a form of 'task-shifting') may help to address doctor shortages and reduce doctors' workload and human resource costs. A Cochrane Review of effectiveness studies suggested that nurse-led care probably leads to similar healthcare outcomes as care delivered by doctors. This finding highlights the need to explore the factors that affect the implementation of strategies to substitute doctors with nurses in primary care. In our qualitative evidence synthesis (QES), we focused on studies of nurses taking on tasks that are typically conducted by doctors working in primary care, including substituting doctors with nurses or expanding nurses' roles. OBJECTIVES (1) To identify factors influencing implementation of interventions to substitute doctors with nurses in primary care. (2) To explore how our synthesis findings related to, and helped to explain, the findings of the Cochrane intervention review of the effectiveness of substituting doctors with nurses. (3) To identify hypotheses for subgroup analyses for future updates of the Cochrane intervention review. SEARCH METHODS We searched CINAHL and PubMed, contacted experts in the field, scanned the reference lists of relevant studies and conducted forward citation searches for key articles in the Social Science Citation Index and Science Citation Index databases, and 'related article' searches in PubMed. SELECTION CRITERIA We constructed a maximum variation sample (exploring variables such as country level of development, aspects of care covered and the types of participants) from studies that had collected and analysed qualitative data related to the factors influencing implementation of doctor-nurse substitution and the expansion of nurses' tasks in community or primary care worldwide. We included perspectives of doctors, nurses, patients and their families/carers, policymakers, programme managers, other health workers and any others directly involved in or affected by the substitution. We excluded studies that collected data using qualitative methods but did not analyse the data qualitatively. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We identified factors influencing implementation of doctor-nurse substitution strategies using a framework thematic synthesis approach. Two review authors independently assessed the methodological strengths and limitations of included studies using a modified Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. We assessed confidence in the evidence for the QES findings using the GRADE-CERQual approach. We integrated our findings with the evidence from the effectiveness review of doctor-nurse substitution using a matrix model. Finally, we identified hypotheses for subgroup analyses for updates of the review of effectiveness. MAIN RESULTS We included 66 studies (69 papers), 11 from low- or middle-income countries and 55 from high-income countries. These studies found several factors that appeared to influence the implementation of doctor-nurse substitution strategies. The following factors were based on findings that we assessed as moderate or high confidence.Patients in many studies knew little about nurses' roles and the difference between nurse-led and doctor-led care. They also had mixed views about the type of tasks that nurses should deliver. They preferred doctors when the tasks were more 'medical' but accepted nurses for preventive care and follow-ups. Doctors in most studies also preferred that nurses performed only 'non-medical' tasks. Nurses were comfortable with, and believed they were competent to deliver a wide range of tasks, but particularly emphasised tasks that were more health promotive/preventive in nature.Patients in most studies thought that nurses were more easily accessible than doctors. Doctors and nurses also saw nurse-doctor substitution and collaboration as a way of increasing people's access to care, and improving the quality and continuity of care.Nurses thought that close doctor-nurse relationships and doctor's trust in and acceptance of nurses was important for shaping their roles. But nurses working alone sometimes found it difficult to communicate with doctors.Nurses felt they had gained new skills when taking on new tasks. But nurses wanted more and better training. They thought this would increase their skills, job satisfaction and motivation, and would make them more independent.Nurses taking on doctors' tasks saw this as an opportunity to develop personally, to gain more respect and to improve the quality of care they could offer to patients. Better working conditions and financial incentives also motivated nurses to take on new tasks. Doctors valued collaborating with nurses when this reduced their own workload.Doctors and nurses pointed to the importance of having access to resources, such as enough staff, equipment and supplies; good referral systems; experienced leaders; clear roles; and adequate training and supervision. But they often had problems with these issues. They also pointed to the huge number of documents they needed to complete when tasks were moved from doctors to nurses. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Patients, doctors and nurses may accept the use of nurses to deliver services that are usually delivered by doctors. But this is likely to depend on the type of services. Nurses taking on extra tasks want respect and collaboration from doctors; as well as proper resources; good referral systems; experienced leaders; clear roles; and adequate incentives, training and supervision. However, these needs are not always met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akram Karimi‐Shahanjarini
- Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Public HealthMahdeieh Ave. Hamadan, IranHamadanHamadanIran
- Hamadan University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research CenterHamadanIran
| | - Elham Shakibazadeh
- Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Education and Health PromotionTehranTehranIran
| | - Arash Rashidian
- Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Management and Economics, School of Public HealthPoursina AveTehranIran1417613191
| | - Khadijeh Hajimiri
- School of Public Health, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Education and Health PromotionZanjanIran
| | - Claire Glenton
- Norwegian Institute of Public HealthPO Box 7004 St Olavs plassOsloNorwayN‐0130
| | - Jane Noyes
- Bangor UniversityCentre for Health‐Related Research, Fron HeulogBangorWalesUKLL57 2EF
| | - Simon Lewin
- Norwegian Institute of Public HealthPO Box 7004 St Olavs plassOsloNorwayN‐0130
- South African Medical Research CouncilHealth Systems Research UnitPO Box 19070TygerbergSouth Africa7505
| | - Miranda Laurant
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ healthcareRadboud University Medical CenterPO Box 9101NijmegenNetherlands6500 HB
- Institute of Nursing StudiesHAN University of Applied SciencesNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Christopher J Colvin
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape TownDivision of Social and Behavioural SciencesCape TownSouth Africa
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Gross JM, McCarthy CF, Verani AR, Iliffe J, Kelley MA, Hepburn KW, Higgins MK, Kalula AT, Waudo AN, Riley PL. Evaluation of the impact of the ARC program on national nursing and midwifery regulations, leadership, and organizational capacity in East, Central, and Southern Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:406. [PMID: 29866081 PMCID: PMC5987602 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3233-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The African Health Professions Regulatory Collaborative (ARC) was launched in 2011 to support countries in East, Central, and Southern Africa to safely and sustainably expand HIV service delivery by nurses and midwives. While the World Health Organization recommended nurse initiated and managed antiretroviral therapy, many countries in this region had not updated their national regulations to ensure nurses and midwives were authorized and trained to provide essential HIV services. For four years, ARC awarded annual grants, convened regional meetings, and provided technical assistance to country teams of nursing and midwifery leaders to improve national regulations related to safe HIV service delivery. We examined the impact of the program on national regulations and the leadership and organizational capacity of country teams. METHODS Data was collected to quantify the level of participation in ARC by each country (number of grants received, number of regional meetings attended, and amount of technical assistance received). The level of participation was analyzed according to two primary outcome measures: 1) changes in national regulations and 2) improvements in leadership and organizational capacity of country teams. Changes in national regulations were defined as advancement of one "stage" on a capability maturity model; nursing and midwifery leadership and organizational capacity was measured by a group survey at the end of the program. RESULTS Seventeen countries participated in ARC between 2012 and 2016. Thirty-three grants were awarded; the majority addressed continuing professional development (20; 61%) and scopes of practice (6; 18%). Fourteen countries (representing approximately two-thirds of grants) progressed at least one stage on the capability maturity model. There were significant increases in all five domains of leadership and organizational capacity (p < 0.01). The number of grants (Kendall's tau = 0.56, p = 0.02), duration of technical assistance (Kendall's tau = 0.50, p = 0.03), and number of learning sessions attended (Kendall's tau = 0.46, p = 0.04) were significantly associated with improvements in in-country collaboration between nursing and midwifery organizations. CONCLUSIONS The ARC program improved national nursing regulations in participating countries and increased reported leadership, organizational capacity, and collaboration among national nursing and midwifery organizations. These changes help ensure national policies and professional regulations underpin nurse initiated and managed treatment for people living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M. Gross
- Division of Global HIV and TB at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Carey F. McCarthy
- Independent Health Systems and Nursing Workforce Consultant, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andre R. Verani
- Division of Global HIV and TB of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jill Iliffe
- Commonwealth Nurses and Midwives Federation, London, UK
| | - Maureen A. Kelley
- ARC and Professor Emeritus at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, USA
| | - Kenneth W. Hepburn
- ARC and a Professor at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, USA
| | - Melinda K. Higgins
- Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, USA
| | - Alphonce T. Kalula
- East Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Agnes N. Waudo
- Africa Health Workforce Project and ARC Secretariat, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Patricia L. Riley
- Health Systems Program Integration Team in the International Lab Branch at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA
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Lifson AR, Workneh S, Hailemichael A, MacLehose RF, Horvath KJ, Hilk R, Fabian L, Sites A, Shenie T. A multi-site community randomized trial of community health workers to provide counseling and support for patients newly entering HIV care in rural Ethiopia: study design and baseline implementation. HIV CLINICAL TRIALS 2018; 19:112-119. [PMID: 29688139 DOI: 10.1080/15284336.2018.1461999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although HIV therapy is delivered to millions globally, treatment default (especially soon after entering care) remains a challenge. Community health workers (CHWs) can provide many services for people with HIV, including in rural and resource-limited settings. OBJECTIVES We designed and implemented a 32 site community randomized trial throughout southern Ethiopia to assess an intervention using CHWs to improve retention in HIV care. METHODS Sixteen district hospital and 16 local health center HIV clinics were randomized 1:1 to be intervention or control sites. From each site, we enrolled adults newly entering HIV care. Participants at intervention sites were assigned a CHW who provided: HIV and health education; counseling and social support; and facilitated communication with HIV clinics. All participants are followed through three years with annual health surveys, plus HIV clinic record abstraction including clinic visit dates. CHWs record operational data about their client contacts. RESULTS 1799 HIV patients meeting inclusion criteria were enrolled and randomized: 59% were female, median age = 32 years, median CD4 + count = 263 cells/mm3, and 41% were WHO Stage III or IV. A major enrollment challenge was fewer new HIV patients initiating care at participating sites due to shortage of HIV test kits. At intervention sites, 71 CHWs were hired, trained and assigned to clients. In meeting with clients, CHWs needed to accommodate to various challenges, including HIV stigma, distance, and clients lacking cell phones. CONCLUSIONS This randomized community HIV trial using CHWs in a resource-limited setting was successfully launched, but required flexibility to adapt to unforeseen challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan R Lifson
- a Division of Epidemiology and Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Sale Workneh
- b Ethiopian Office , National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
| | - Abera Hailemichael
- b Ethiopian Office , National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
| | - Richard F MacLehose
- a Division of Epidemiology and Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Keith J Horvath
- a Division of Epidemiology and Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Rose Hilk
- a Division of Epidemiology and Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Lindsey Fabian
- a Division of Epidemiology and Community Health , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Anne Sites
- c Global Program , National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors , Washington , DC , USA
| | - Tibebe Shenie
- b Ethiopian Office , National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors , Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
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Use of expenditure analysis to enhance returns on investments in HIV services. Curr Opin HIV AIDS 2017. [PMID: 28639989 DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Globally, the response to the HIV epidemic is at a crisis point. International investments in the HIV response have been essentially flat for 8 years and domestic budgets in low and middle-income countries - still recovering from the global recession - have not been able to fill the resource gap to drive a full-fledged HIV response. Still, efficiencies and prioritization of evidence-based interventions enable a significant scale-up of treatment, but millions more people remain without treatment. This review looks at recent data and research to evaluate interventions that may help close gaps in service provision that undermine testing and treatment programs. RECENT FINDINGS The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief recently began publicly releasing vast programmatic and expenditure data. These data reveal potential efficiency gaps in testing and treatment programs, particularly in the area of linkage and retention. Interventions such as HIV self-testing have been proposed to help, but whether they can deliver better results remains unclear. Same-day initiation on treatment improves initiation, retention, and viral suppression rates. SUMMARY Near real-time analysis of data and active response is critical in improving efficiencies in programs. More investment in implementation research is necessary to improve linkage to care and treatment to reach 90-90-90 goals.
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