Availability of HIV services along the continuum of HIV testing, care and treatment in Ghana

An intervention to increase cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV: A mixed methods study

OBJECTIVE

We examined the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention in promoting cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Ghana.

METHODS

A Mixed-methods study was conducted involving 83 WLWH, who were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 42) to receive voice-recorded messages based on the 3 R model (Reframing, Reprioritizing, and Reforming) or a control group (n = 41) to receive standard care. The primary outcomes were screening uptake and HPV prevalence. Other outcomes were the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention.

RESULTS

The intervention group had a 100% screening rate, and the control group had a 14.63% screening rate. The prevalent rate of high-risk (hr)-HPV genotypes among the women was 67.5% (95%C.I: 0.56-0.77). Over 48% of the participants had multiple hr-HPV genotypes, 64.29% had HPV16/18/45%, and 73.21% had HPV 31/33/45/52/58. Of the women (89.30%) who screened positive, 60% of them were diagnosed and treated for pre-cancer lesions. The intervention messages were acceptable (encourage proactive behavior), feasible (simple, easy to understand), and appropriate (helpful, informative). Facilitators and barriers to self-sampling were identified.

CONCLUSION

Combining the 3 R model with self-sampling increases cervical cancer screening among WLWH.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Healthcare professionals and policymakers can use this model to increase cervical cancer screening.

Achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 treatment target by 2025 in Ghana: a myth or a reality?

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has set ambitious treatment targets known as Project 95-95-95, aiming to achieve 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression by 2025. Through a comprehensive analysis of Ghana's HIV/AIDS response, we evaluate the feasibility of Ghana's efforts in realising these targets. The discussion explores Ghana's achievements in HIV testing and diagnosis, ART coverage, and viral suppression rates, as well as challenges related to stigma, limited access to healthcare services, funding constraints, and data quality. Strategies such as strengthening prevention efforts, expanding access to ART, addressing stigma, and enhancing health systems are discussed as the way forward to advance Ghana's progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 treatment targets. While Ghana has made significant strides in its HIV/AIDS response, achieving the 95-95-95 targets is a challenging yet realistic goal.

Evaluation of the pediatric antiretroviral therapy service in Gondar city public health facilities-A case study design with mixed methods

BACKGROUND

The pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) service is introduced to save lives, restore mental and physical functions, and improve the quality of life of children living with HIV/AIDS. This evaluation aimed to assess the implementation status of the pediatric ART service provision in Gondar city administration health facilities to promote evidence-based decision-making for program improvement.

METHODS

An institutional-based single case-study design with concurrent mixed methods were applied. The service was evaluated by the availability of essential resources, compliance of health providers with the standard guideline, and caregivers' satisfaction dimensions. Document review, key informant interviews, observations, and interviewer-administered exit-interview were conducted. The quantitative data were analyzed in descriptive and analytical, while the qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with caregivers' satisfaction.

RESULTS

The overall implementation of pediatric ART service was 75.32%. The availability, compliance, and satisfaction were 68.96%, 74.44%, and 84.64%, respectively. Trained healthcare professionals, essential ART drugs, registers, and basic laboratory diagnostic equipment were reasonably available. However, the lack of opportunistic infection medications and adequate rooms were significant gaps in service provision. Respondents noted a shortage of drugs and rooms for consultation and service provision. Short travel distance (AOR = 2.87), low viral load (AOR = 3.15), and sex of caregivers (AOR = 4.98) were significantly associated with good satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall implementation of pediatric ART service is well based on the pre-determined judgment criteria. The health facilities and policymakers are advised to focus on availing medications to treat opportunistic infections and expanding the health facility to have enough space for consultation and service provision. Furthermore, particular emphasis should be given to caregivers who come from long distances and patients with a high viral load to increase caregivers' satisfaction.

HIV Status Disclosure and Quality of Life of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the Ho Municipality, Ghana

Background. Quality of life (QoL) and HIV/AIDS serostatus disclosure are vital HIV outcome indicators. This study examined factors associated with QoL, HIV status disclosure, and the relationship between QoL and disclosure among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) at the Ho Teaching Hospital. Methods. We conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional survey among 311 PLWHIV. The World Health Organization WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire was used to measure QoL. A semistructured questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics and HIV serostatus disclosure. Multivariate logistic and multiple linear regressions were used to determine predictors of HIV serostatus disclosure and QoL in six domains, respectively. Results. Overall, 88.7% of participants disclosed their HIV status to a significant relation. The majority (98.1%) presented with good QoL, high (83.3%) among participants who disclosed their HIV seropositive status. Patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for more than a year were 8.64 times more likely to disclose their HIV status as compared to those on ART for less than a year (AOR = 8.64 (95% CI: 2.00–37.27), $p=0.004$ ). Increasing years on ART (β = 0.37) and being employed (β = 1.31) positively predicted good QoL in the physical domain, whereas higher educational level positively predicted good QoL in the social domain (β = 0.66). QoL was not associated with HIV serostatus disclosure. Conclusion. HIV status disclosure was high. Increasing years on ART increased the odds of disclosure. Although there was no significant relationship between QoL and disclosure, good QoL was high among those who disclosed their HIV status. Increasing years on ART, higher education, and being employed predicted good QoL.

Barriers to colorectal cancer screening in Ghana: a qualitative study of patients and physicians

PURPOSE

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in Ghana has increased eightfold since the 1960s. In 2011, national guidelines were set forth recommending all patients aged 50-70 years old undergo annual CRC screening with fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), but adherence to these guidelines is poor and screening rates remain low for unclear reasons.

METHODS

We performed semi-structured interviews with 28 Ghanaians including physicians (n = 14) and patients (n = 14) from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, to better understand the factors driving screening adherence and perceived barriers identified in an earlier quantitative study.

RESULTS

Participants reported sociocultural factors such as reliance on alternative medicine or religion, lack of education, and financial burden as community-level barriers to CRC screening. At the system level, screening was limited by insufficient access to FOBT as well as a perceived lack of national prioritization. This was described as inadequate efforts from the Ministry of Health regarding national education as well as lack of incorporation of CRC screening into the National Health Insurance Scheme.

CONCLUSION

Several community- and system-level barriers exist to widespread screening of CRC in Ghana. A multi-level approach will be required to improve rates of CRC screening and ultimately reduce the burden of CRC in Ghana.

HIV Testing among sexually active Ghanaians: an examination of the rural-urban correlates

HIV testing is critical in reducing the risk of HIV transmission. We investigated the rural-urban correlates of HIV testing amongst sexually active Ghanaians using data from the 2017/2018 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Six (GMICS 6). Robust Poisson models (reporting Adjusted Prevalence Ratios (APR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs)) were used to achieve this aim. About 46% of the participants had ever tested for HIV. According to the results, approximately 52% and 39% of urban and rural dwellers, respectively, have undergone HIV testing. HIV knowledge, HIV stigma, gender, age, education, marital status, childbirth history, sexual history, health insurance coverage, media exposure, household wealth, and region of residence were significantly related to HIV testing with observed variations across rural-urban areas. The findings call for the expansion of advocacy efforts towards encouraging HIV testing, targeting sexually active Ghanaians particularly in rural areas.

Barriers and facilitators of adherence to antiretroviral treatment at a public health facility in Ghana: a mixed method study

BACKGROUND

HIV/AIDS is a disease of global public health concern with high morbidity and mortality rates. Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases the risk of viral drug resistance and reduces treatment effectiveness towards viral suppression leading to disease progression, greater risk of death and increased risk of viral transmission. The study sought to assess current adherence levels to ART among patients in Ghana, exploring barriers and enablers of adherence to it, to provide future guidance to all key stakeholder groups.

METHOD

A mixed method approach was used comprising of a cross-sectional survey of patients followed by a focused group discussion with patients and an in-depth interview of four key health professionals working in the ART clinic of Atua Government Hospital, a primary care health facility in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to assess current adherence levels and their determinants among 231 randomly selected patients attending the clinic between July to September, 2019. Quantitative data were analysed using bivariate and multivariate methods while qualitative data were analysed using thematic framework approach.

RESULTS

Adherence levels was found to be 42.9% among our study population. Lower adherence to ART was associated with patients' belief in herbal medicine (aOR =0.34 CI: 0.19-0.61). Other barriers identified from the qualitative analysis included low motivation arising from pill fatigue, forgetfulness, frequent stock out of medicines, long waiting times and worrying side-effects; while enablers, on the other hand, included measures that ensure improved assessment of adherence and health facility-related activities that improve patient satisfaction with ART services. Conclusion: Adherence to ART among patients living with HIV was sub-optimal in our study population. Understanding of the barriers and factors that enable adherence to ART is a key step to developing evidence-based adherence improvement strategies to enhance clinical outcomes.

Patient-Reported Experiences of Medication Adherence at a Community-Based HIV Clinic, Ghana

There is little information on patients’ medication adherence experiences at community-based clinics in Ghana. This study investigated adherence to antiretroviral medication among people living with HIV (PLHIV) attending a community-based HIV clinic. PLHIV (N = 349) completed a questionnaire battery on medication adherence, doctor–patient communication, HIV stigma, patient general self-efficacy, perceived social support, and on patient spirituality. Linear Regression was used to analyze the data. Results showed that doctor–patient communication (β = .38, 95% CI [0.09, 0.18], P <.001) and social support from significant others (β = .46, 95% CI [0.18, 0.67], P <.001) were positively associated with medication adherence in this sample. In contrast, HIV stigma (β = –.16, 95% CI [–0.58, −0.09], P <.01), patient spirituality (β = –.22, 95% CI [–0.44, −0.00], P <.05), and patient general self-efficacy (β = –.14, 95% CI [–0.17, −0.02], P <.01) were negatively associated with medication adherence. There is a need for educational interventions targeted at enhancing doctor–patient communication and social support while reducing stigma among PLHIV in Ghana.

The Tale of Two Epidemics: HIV/AIDS in Ghana and Namibia

Background:

In 2014, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) introduced the 90-90-90 goals to eliminate the AIDS epidemic. Namibia was the first African country to meet these goals.

Objective:

To construct a comparative historical narrative of international and government responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the two countries, to identify enabling and non-enabling factors key to mitigate the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Methods:

We conducted a desk review of public documents, peer-reviewed articles, and media reports to evaluate actions taken by Namibia and Ghana’s governments, donors, and the public and compared disease prevalence and expenditure from all sources.

Results:

Namibia’s progress is due to several factors: the initial shocking escalation of infection rates, seen by donors as a priority; the generalizability of the epidemic generated, which resulted in overwhelming public support for HIV/AIDS programs; and a strong health system with substantial donor investment, allowing for aggressive and early ramp up of ART. Modest donor support relative to the magnitude of the epidemic, a weak health care system, and widespread household cost-sharing are among the factors that diminished support for universal access to HIV treatment in Ghana.

Conclusion:

Four factors played a key role in Namibia’s success: the nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the government and international community's response to the epidemic, health system characteristics, and financing of HIV/AIDS services. Strengthening the health systems to support HIV/AIDS testing and care services, ensuring sustainable ART funding, empowering women, and investing in an efficient surveillance system to generate local data on HIV prevalence would assist in developing targeted programs and allocate resources to where they are needed most.

Quality of antiretroviral therapy services in Ghana: Implications for the HIV response in resource-constrained settings

Objective

Number of People Living with Human Immune-deficiency Virus in Ghana is over 300,000 and unmet need for antiretroviral therapy is approximately 60%. This study sought to determine the quality of antiretroviral therapy services in selected ART sites in Ghana using the input-process-outcome approach.

Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional case study that employed modified normative evaluation to assess quality of antiretroviral therapy services in the Oti and Volta regions of Ghana among People Living with HIV (n = 384) and healthcare providers (n = 16). The study was conducted from 11 March to 9 May 2019.

Results

Resources for managing HIV clients were largely available with the exception of viral load machines, reagents for CD4 counts, and antifungals such as Fluconazole and Cotrimoxazole. Patients enrolled on antiretroviral therapy within 2 weeks was 71% and clients retained in care within 2 weeks of enrolment was 90%. Approximately 26% of enrolled clients recorded viral load suppression; 33% of People Living with HIV who were not insured with the National Health Insurance Scheme paid for some antiretrovirals and cotrimoxazole. Adherence to ART and Cotrimoxazole were 95% and 88%, respectively, using pill count on their last three visits. Time spent with clinical team was among the worst rated (mean = 2.98, standard deviation = 0.54) quality indicators by patients contrary to interpersonal relationship with health provider which was among the best rated (mean = 3.25, standard deviation = 0.41) indicators.

Conclusion

Observed quality care gaps could potentially reverse gains made in HIV prevention and control in Ghana if not addressed timely; an important value addition of this study is the novel application of input-process-outcome approach in the context of antiretroviral therapy services in Ghana. There is also the need for policy dialogue on inclusion of medications for prophylaxis in antiretroviral therapy on the National Health Insurance Scheme to promote adherence and retention.

Geographical variations and factors associated with recent HIV testing prevalence in Ghana: spatial mapping and complex survey analyses of the 2014 demographic and health surveys

OBJECTIVE

To examine the factors associated with recent HIV testing and to develop an HIV testing prevalence surface map using spatial interpolation techniques to identify geographical areas with low and high HIV testing rates in Ghana.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of Demographic and Health Survey.

SETTING

Rural and urban Ghana PARTICIPANTS: The study sample comprised 9380 women and 3854 men of 15-49 years.

RESULTS

We found that 13% of women and 6% of men of Ghana had tested for HIV in the past 12 months. For women, being within the age groups of 15-39 years, being currently married, attainment of post-secondary education, having only one sexual partner and dwelling in certain regions with reference to greater Accra (Volta, Eastern, Upper West and Upper East) were associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. For men, being older than 19 years, attainment of post-secondary education and dwelling in the Upper East region with reference to the greater Accra region were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of HIV testing. The surface map further revealed intra-regional level differences in HIV testing estimates.

CONCLUSION

Given the results, HIV testing must be expanded with equitable testing resource allocation that target areas within the regions in Ghana with low HIV testing prevalence. Men should be encouraged to be tested for HIV.

Drug Shortage: Causes, Impact, and Mitigation Strategies

Drug shortage is a global issue affecting low, middle, and high-income countries. Many countries have developed various strategies to overcome the problem, while the problem is accelerating, affecting the whole world. All types of drugs, such as essential life-saving drugs, oncology medicines, antimicrobial drugs, analgesics, opioids, cardiovascular drugs, radiopharmaceutical, and parenteral products, are liable to the shortage. Among all pharmaceutical dosage forms, sterile injectable products have a higher risk of shortage than other forms. The causes of shortage are multifactorial, including supply issues, demand issues, and regulatory issues. Supply issues consist of manufacturing problems, unavailability of raw materials, logistic problems, and business problems. In contrast, demand issues include just-in-time inventory, higher demand for a product, seasonal demand, and unpredictable demand. For regulatory issues, one important factor is the lack of a unified definition of drug shortage. Drug shortage affects all stakeholders from economic, clinical, and humanistic aspects. WHO established global mitigation strategies from four levels to overcome drug shortages globally. It includes a workaround to tackle the current shortage, operational improvements to reduce the shortage risk and achieve early warning, changes in governmental policies, and education and training of all health professionals about managing shortages.

Predictors of First-Time and Repeat HIV Testing Among HIV-Positive Individuals in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Despite a doubling of HIV testing coverage in Kenya over the past decade, approximately 2 in 10 people with HIV remained unaware of their infection in 2018. HIV testing is most effective in identifying people with undiagnosed HIV through frequent and strategic testing in populations at high risk. An assessment of testing frequency and predictors of first-time and repeat testing is critical for monitoring effectiveness of testing strategies.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of adults aged ≥18 years who tested HIV-positive at 4 HIV testing and counseling clinics in Kenya from February 2015 to February 2016. We categorized individuals based on testing history, used Wilcoxon rank-sum tests to assess differences in intervals between the most recent and current HIV test, and used log-binomial regression to determine characteristics associated with first-time and repeat testing.

RESULTS

Among 1136 people testing HIV-positive, 336 (30%) had never tested before and 800 (70%) had, of whom 208 (26%) had previously tested positive. Among previously negative repeat testers, the median intertest interval was 414 days in key/priority populations (interquartile range = 179-1072) vs. 538 in the general population (interquartile range = 228-1299) (P = 0.09). Compared with previously negative repeat testers, being a first-time tester was associated with being age ≥40 years [vs. 18-24; adjusted risk ratio = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.23 to 2.26], men (vs. women; adjusted risk ratio = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21 to 1.71), and testing through provider-initiated testing and counseling (vs. client initiated; 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.40).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need to increase HIV testing among older individuals and men, increase testing frequency in key/priority populations, and maintain provider-initiated and facility-based testing to reach first-time testers.

Resilience and pathways to wellness among HIV-positive patients in Ghana: a qualitative study

Few African studies have focused on resilience factors related to engagement in HIV-related care among people living with HIV; instead, many studies have identified health risk factors and barriers within this population. Informed by the Disability-Stress-Coping Model of Adjustment, a qualitative study was conducted to develop a better understanding of psychosocial factors that can promote positive behaviours and subjective wellness for people living with HIV in Accra, Ghana. Thirty patients from the two largest HIV clinics in Accra participated in in-depth individual interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, three individual-level factors related to resilience and subjective wellness were identified: (1) holding positive attitudes towards the pathway from HIV testing and diagnosis to healthy living with HIV; (2) placing appropriate (but not absolute) levels of trust in the clinical care environment; and (3) judicious disclosure of their HIV status to key individuals. Findings support a resilience framework that focuses on individual strengths and positive adaptations to HIV diagnosis in order to enhance understanding and promote the HIV care continuum for people living with HIV in this context. Development of resilience-focused approaches to public health intervention is particularly important in low-resource settings such as Ghana where research tends to focus on deficiencies and healthcare inadequacies for people living with HIV.

Evaluation of continuous quality improvement of tuberculosis and HIV diagnostic services in Amhara Public Health Institute, Ethiopia

Background

Unreliable laboratory results lead to unnecessary tests, procedures or treatments which may harm the patient. Continuous quality improvement (CQI) is a useful objective tool to improve processes and services. The use of quality indicators that meet requirements for effectiveness is an important quality improvement tool. However, the quality of critical aspects of pre-examination, examination, and post-examination processes have not been evaluated in Ethiopia including our setting. Hence, this study aimed to assess the performance of continuous quality improvement of TB and HIV laboratory tests in the Amhara Public Health Institute (APHI).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the quality indicators of advanced TB and HIV related laboratory tests in APHI from 01 January to 30 September 2019. HIV viral load, exposed infant diagnosis (EID), GeneXpert and TB culture quality indicators data were used as a quality improvement tool and evaluated in comparison to established targets. Data were extracted from excel database and record review of patient information, and entered and analyzed using SPSS V20 software.

Results

A total of 26,487 samples were received from 01 January to 30 September 2019. The overall specimen rejection rate was 0.43% (115/26,487). Specifically, viral load and TB culture had 0.43% and 1.14% rejection rates, respectively. The highest monthly rejection was documented for TB culture (5.3%) and viral load (2.4%) in September 2019. Centrifugation problems (46.1% [53/115]) and the use of the wrong container (40.9% [47/115]) were the main reasons for the rejections. Moreover, EID test was interrupted for a total of 54 days and 22 days due to reagent stock out and equipment down time, respectively. Similarly, about 82% of viral load and 100% of the EID tests had long turnaround time (TAT) with an average of 24.1 and 29.3 days respectively in September 2019.

Conclusions

There were high rates of TB culture and viral load specimen rejection, and EID test interruptions. The TAT of viral load and EID tests were longer than the targeted goal (10 days) average TAT. Hence, training of sample collectors, functional equipment maintenance systems and supply chain management are recommended for continuous quality improvement.