Impact of "test and treat" recommendations on eligibility for antiretroviral treatment: Cross sectional population survey data from three high HIV prevalence countries

Effect of the "universal test and treat" policy on the characteristics of persons registering for HIV care and initiating antiretroviral therapy in Uganda

We examined the effect of the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy on the characteristics of people living with HIV (PLHIV) at enrolment in HIV care and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda using data from 11 nationally representative clinics of The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO). We created two retrospective PLHIV cohorts: pre-UTT (2004-2016), where ART initiation was conditional on CD4 cell count and UTT (2017-2022), where ART was initiated regardless of World Health Organisation (WHO) clinical stage or CD4 cell count. We used a two-sample test of proportions and Wilcoxon rank-sum test to compare proportions and medians, respectively, between the cohorts. A total of 244,693 PLHIV were enrolled at the clinics [pre-UTT, 210,251 (85.9%); UTT, 34,442 (14.1%)]. Compared to the pre-UTT cohort, the UTT cohort had higher proportions of PLHIV that were male (p < 0.001), aged 18-29 years (p < 0.001), aged >69 years, never married (p < 0.001), and educated to primary (p < 0.001) and post-primary (p < 0.001) school level at enrolment in HIV care and ART initiation. Overall, 97.9% of UTT PLHIV initiated ART compared to 45.2% under pre-UTT. The median time from enrolment in HIV care to ART initiation decreased from 301 [interquartile range (IQR): 58-878] pre-UTT to 0 (IQR: 0-0) under UTT. The median CD4 count at ART initiation increased from 254 cells/μL pre-UTT to 482 cells/μL under UTT (p < 0.001). Compared to the pre-UTT cohort, the UTT cohort had higher proportions of PLHIV with a CD4 count >500 cells/μL (47.3% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001) and WHO stage 1 (31.7% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001) at ART initiation. Adoption of the UTT policy in Uganda was successful in enrolling previously unreached individuals, such as men and younger and older adults, as well as those with less advanced HIV disease. Future research will investigate the effect of UTT on long-term outcomes such as retention in care, HIV viral suppression, morbidity, and mortality.

What gaps remain in the HIV cascade of care? Results of a population-based survey in Nsanje District, Malawi

INTRODUCTION

The Malawi Ministry of Health (MoH) has been in collaboration with Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) to increase access to quality HIV care through decentralization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) diagnosis and treatment from hospital to clinics in Nsanje District since 2011. A population-based household survey was implemented to provide information on HIV prevalence and cascade of care to inform and prioritize community-based HIV interventions in the district.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted between September 2016 and January 2017. Using two-stage cluster sampling, eligible adult individuals aged ≥15 years living in the selected households were asked to participate. Participants were interviewed and tested for HIV at home. Those tested HIV-positive had their HIV-RNA viral load (VL) measured, regardless of their ART status. All participants tested HIV-positive at the time of the survey were advised to report their HIV test result to the health facility of their choice that MSF was supported in the district. HIV-RNA VL results were made available in this health facility.

RESULTS

Among 5,315 eligible individuals, 91.1% were included in the survey and accepted an HIV test. The overall prevalence was 12.1% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 11.2-13.0) and was higher in women than in men: 14.0% versus 9.5%, P<0.001. Overall HIV-positive status awareness was 80.0% (95%CI: 76.4-83.1) and was associated with sex (P<0.05). Linkage to care was 78.0% (95%CI: 74.3-81.2) and participants in care 76.2% (95%CI: 72.4-79.5). ART coverage among participants aware of their HIV-positive status was 95.3% (95%CI: 92.9-96.9) and was not associated with sex (P = 0.55). Viral load suppression among participants on ART was 89.9% (95%CI: 86.6-92.4) and was not statistically different by sex (p = 0.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite encouraging results in HIV testing coverage, cascade of care, and UNAIDS targets in Nsanje District, some gap remains in the first 90, specifically among men and young adults. Enhanced community engagement and new strategies of testing, such as index testing, could be implemented to identify those who are still undiagnosed, particularly men and young adults.

Early-phase scale-up of isoniazid preventive therapy for people living with HIV in two districts in Malawi (2017)

Background

Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) against tuberculosis (TB) is a life-saving intervention for people living with HIV (PLHIV). In September 2017, Malawi began programmatic scale-up of IPT to eligible PLHIV in five districts with high HIV and TB burden. We measured the frequency and timeliness of early-phase IPT implementation to inform quality-improvement processes.

Methods and findings

We applied a two-stage cluster design with systematic, probability-proportional-to-size sampling of six U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-affiliated antiretroviral therapy (ART) centers operating in the urban areas of Lilongwe and Blantyre, Malawi (November 2017). ART clinic patient volume determined cluster size. Within each cluster, we sequentially sampled approximately 50 PLHIV newly enrolled in ART care. We described a quality-of-care cascade for intensive TB case finding (ICF) and IPT in PLHIV. PLHIV newly enrolled in ART care were eligibility-screened for hepatitis and peripheral neuropathy, as well as for TB disease using a standardized four-symptom screening tool. Among eligible PLHIV, the overall weighted IPT initiation rate was 70% (95% CI: 46%–86%). Weighted IPT initiation among persons aged <15 years (30% [95% CI: 12%–55%]) was significantly lower than among persons aged ≥15 years (72% [95% CI: 47%–89%]; Rao-Scott chi-square P = 0.03). HIV-positive children aged <5 years had a weighted initiation rate of only 13% (95% CI: 1%–79%). For pregnant women, the weighted initiation rate was 67% (95% CI: 32%–90%), similar to non-pregnant women aged ≥15 years (72% [95% CI: 49%–87%]). Lastly, 95% (95% CI: 92%–97%) of eligible PLHIV started ART within one week of HIV diagnosis, and 92% (95% CI: 73%–98%) of patients receiving IPT began on the same day as ART.

Conclusions

Early-phase IPT uptake among adults at ART centers in Malawi was high. Child uptake needed improvement. National programs could adapt this framework to evaluate their ICF-IPT care cascades.

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.

HIV infection, seasonality and younger age predicting incident Bell's palsy among black South Africans

Background

Although South Africa (SA) is facing a high prevalence of HIV infection, there is no literature from this region on a link between Bell’s palsy and HIV. The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of Bell’s palsy in relation to demographics, seasons and HIV status among black South Africans.

Methods

This retrospective cohort was conducted among adult black patients, without Bell’s palsy in 2003, presenting to the neurology outpatients department at Dr. George Mukhari Academic hospital, Pretoria, South Africa, between 2004 (study baseline) and 2012 (end test). Gender, age, HIV status, and seasons were potential predictors of Bell’s palsy using Cox regression model and Kaplan Meier curves.

Results

From the baseline of 1487 patients, 20.9% (n = 311) experienced Bell’s palsy onset by the end of the study. In univariate analysis, male gender (RR = 2.1 95% CI 1.7–2.5; P <  0.0001), age less than 30 years (RR = 2.9 95% CI 2.4–3.6; P <  0.0001), HIV seropositivity (RR =2.9 95% CI 2.3–4.9; P < 0.0001).

The highest incidence in winter (30.3% n = 136/450) vs. incidences during other seasons with Intermediate values during Summer (25.3% n = 136/450) and Autumn (20.7% n = 64/308) and the lowest incidence in Spring (23.7% n = 16/353) P < 0.0001) were predictors of Bell’s palsy. In multivariate analysis at adjusting for gender, the most significant and independent predictors of incident Bell’s palsy were HIV seropositivity (HR = 6.3 95% CI 4.8–8.3; P < 0.0001), winter (HR = 1.6 95% CI 1.2–2.1; P < 0.0001) vs. other seasons, and younger age < 30 years (HR = 7.1 95% CI 5.6–9.1; P < 0.0001) vs. older age groups.

Conclusion

Seasonality, younger age and HIV positivity are important and independent risk factors of Bell’s palsy. Education and awareness programs on the possible effects of HIV and seasons on the development of Bell’s palsy are necessary. This would lead to a better understanding and even a possible development of avoidance measures for this condition amongst young black South Africans.

Patient-mix, programmatic characteristics, retention and predictors of attrition among patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) before and after the implementation of HIV "Treat All" in Zimbabwe

Background

Since the scale-up of the HIV “Treat All” recommendation, evidence on its real-world effect on predictors of attrition (either death or lost to follow-up) is lacking. We conducted a retrospective study using Zimbabwe ART program data to assess the association between “Treat All” and, patient-mix, programmatic characteristics, retention and predictors of attrition.

Methods

We used patient-level data from the electronic patient monitoring system (ePMS) from the nine districts, which piloted the “Treat All” recommendation. We compared patient-mix, programme characteristics, retention and predictors of attrition (lost to follow-up, death or stopping ART) in two cohorts; before (April/May 2016) and after (January/February 2017) “Treat All”. Retention was estimated using survival analysis. Predictors of attrition were determined using a multivariable Cox regression model. Interactions were used to assess the change in predictors of attrition before and after “Treat All”.

Results

We analysed 3787 patients, 1738 (45.9%) and 2049 (54.1%) started ART before and after “Treat All”, respectively. The proportion of men was higher after “Treat All” (39.4.% vs 36.2%, p = 0.044). Same-day ART initiation was more frequent after “Treat All” (43.2% vs 16.4%; p<0.001) than before. Retention on ART was higher before “Treat All” (p<0.001). Among non-pregnant women and men, the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of attrition after compared to before “Treat All” was 1.73 (95%CI: 1.30–2.31). The observed hazard of attrition for women being pregnant at ART initiation decreased by 17% (aHR: 1.73*0.48 = 0.83) after “Treat All”. Being male (vs female; aHR: 1.45; 95%CI: 1.12–1.87) and WHO Stage IV (vs WHO Stage I-III; aHR: 2.89; 95%CI: 1.16–7.11) predicted attrition both before and after “Treat All” implementation.

Conclusion

Attrition was higher after “Treat All”; being male, WHO Stage 4, and pregnancy predicted attrition in both before and after Treat All. However, pregnancy became a less strong risk factor for attrition after “Treat All” implementation.

Validating a Child Youth Resilience Measurement (CYRM-28) for Adolescents Living With HIV (ALHIV) in Urban Malawi

Resilience as a strength-based notion, measured across cultures, age groups, and sub-populations, contributes to understanding health and well-being. Yet, there is limited evidence of how the construct performs in resource-limited countries. We explored the psychometric properties of the CYRM-28 and validated the scale with adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), a key sub-population. The participants included members of an advisory panel and 406 ALHIV, aged 15–19 years, attending an antiretroviral therapy and teen-club clinic in Blantyre, Malawi. This study employed a mixed-method study using an exploratory sequential design. The advisory panel discussed the CYRM-28, and select ALHIV then translated it into Chichewa, pilot-tested it using cognitive interviews, and back-translated it for clarity and appropriateness. The resultant CYRM-28 was tested using a survey with purposefully selected ALHIV. The overall median score was 123, with an interquartile range of 110–130. Minimum and maximum scores were 53 and 140. Cronbach’s alpha of 0.863 and Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin measure (0.866) confirmed internal consistency and the sample size adequacy, respectively. Bartlett’s tests of sphericity (p < 0.001) informed factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis determined possible dimensions of resilience and the sub-scales. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the construct validity and supported a three-factor model consistent with the conceptualization of resilience as a multi-dimensional construct. Structural equation modeling was applied to perform CFA to measure model of resilience. Multiple fit indices showed a good fit for the model. The CYRM-28 has good internal consistency, test and re-test reliability, and moderate convergent validity which render it useful as a self-report resilience measure to inform and evaluate interventions for the health and well-being of adolescents in Malawi.

Adolescents living with HIV, complex needs and resilience in Blantyre, Malawi

BACKGROUND

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Malawi experience multiple challenges associated with their illness and various social, environmental, economic and cultural factors. In exploring their various medical concerns and social vulnerabilities, we consider the role of multiple services in creating a pathway for resilience.

METHODS

Multiple methods and case studies allowed for triangulation of evidence and provided a holistic understanding of resilience among adolescents with complex needs. The research methods included: (1) a survey to identify examples of young people with complex needs, (2) qualitative interviews and field notes to further explore these needs, (3) patient files and health passports to identify clinical challenges, and (4) ecomapping exercises to personalize cases and identify resilience-enabling resources and supports. We present four case studies to highlight the complex experiences and access to services of ALHIV, and to illustrate their growing power and decision-making capacity over time.

RESULTS

Adversity experienced by ALHIV varied by gender, family situation, years of schooling, and use of teen-clubs for support. The two female adolescents emphasised their need to be accepted and how this impacted sexuality and reproduction. The two males illustrated how ideas of masculinity influenced their sexual practice and involvement with health services and the correctional justice system. Multiple risks (alcohol use, sexual activities) and complex needs (belonging, having a purpose in life/productive activities, autonomy, desire for offspring) influence pathways to resilience. ALHIV were able to strengthen their own wellbeing by resisting negative behaviours and peer pressure and caregiver interactions through 'strategic silence'.

CONCLUSION

ALHIV experienced self-transformation as a result of taking ART, with fewer severe episodes of illness and distressing skin conditions. Continuous engagement at the teen-club clinic transformed both productive activities and social relationships among ALHIV as they set life goals, gained a sense of empowerment, requested SRH services, and formed intimate relationships. These transformative opportunities allowed them to learn ways of minimizing risk of reinfection and violence, and of navigating health worker-caregiver-adolescent interactions.

Assessing the validity of and factors that influence accurate self-reporting of HIV status after testing: a population-based study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the validity of self-reported HIV status, and investigate factors that influence accurate reporting of HIV-positive status, in a population tested and informed of their HIV test result.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

METHODS

We compared self-reported HIV status with biomarker-confirmed HIV test status among participants of Karonga Health and Demographic Surveillance Site in rural northern Malawi. We linked information on HIV test results to subsequent self-reported HIV status, and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for self-reported HIV status (considered as a diagnostic test). We used Poisson regression with robust variance estimators to examine predictors of accurate self-reporting of HIV-positive status.

RESULTS

Among 17 445 adults who tested for HIV, were recorded as having received their HIV test results, and had a subsequent self-reported HIV status between 2007 and 2018: positive predictive value of self-reported HIV status was 98.0% (95% confidence interval: 97.3-98.7); negative predictive value was 98.3 (98.1-98.5); sensitivity was 86.1% (84.5-87.7); and specificity was 99.8% (99.7-99.9). Among true HIV-positive people, those who were younger, interviewed in community settings, and had tested for HIV longer ago were more likely to misreport their HIV-positive status.

CONCLUSION

In this setting, self-report provides good estimates of test-detected HIV prevalence, suggesting that it can be used when HIV test results are not available. Despite frequent HIV testing, younger people and those interviewed in community settings were less likely to accurately report their HIV-positive status. More research on barriers to self-reporting of HIV status is needed in these subgroups.

Distribution of advanced HIV disease from three high HIV prevalence settings in Sub-Saharan Africa: a secondary analysis data from three population-based cross-sectional surveys in Eshowe (South Africa), Ndhiwa (Kenya) and Chiradzulu (Malawi)

Background: Despite substantial progress in antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale up, some people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to present with advanced HIV disease, contributing to ongoing HIV-related morbidity and mortality.Objective: We aimed to quantify population-level estimates of advanced HIV from three high HIV prevalence settings in Sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys were conducted in (Ndhiwa (Kenya): September-November 2012), (Chiradzulu (Malawi): February-May 2013) and (Eshowe (South Africa): July-October 2013). Eligible individuals 15-59 years old who consented were interviewed at home followed by rapid HIV test and CD4 count test if tested HIV-positive. Advanced HIV was defined as CD4 < 200 cells/µl. We used logistic regression to identify patient characteristics associated with advanced HIV.Results: Among 18,991 (39.2% male) individuals, 4113 (21.7%) tested HIV-positive; 385/3957 (9.7% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 8.8-10.7)) had advanced HIV, ranging from 7.8% (95%CI 6.4-9.5) Chiradzulu (Malawi) to 11.8% (95%CI 9.8-14.2) Ndhiwa (Kenya). The proportion of PLHIV with advanced disease was higher among men 15.3% (95% CI 13.2-17.5) than women 7.5% (95%CI 6.6-8.6) p < 0.001. Overall, 62.7% of all individuals with advanced HIV were aware of their HIV status and 40.3% were currently on ART. Overall, 65.6% of individuals not on ART had not previously been diagnosed with HIV, while only 29.6% of those on ART had been on ART for ≥6 months. Individuals with advanced HIV disease were more likely to be men (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]; 2.1 (95%CI 1.7-2.6), and more likely not to be on ART (aOR; 1.7 (95%CI 1.3-2.1).Conclusion: In our study, about 1 in 10 PLHIV had advanced HIV with nearly 40% of them unaware of their HIV status. However, a substantial proportion of patients with advanced HIV were established on ART. Our findings suggest the need for a dual focus on alternative testing strategies to identify PLHIV earlier as well as improving ART retention.

Antiretroviral Therapy-associated Adverse Drug Reactions and their Effects on Virologic Failure- A Retrospective Cohort Study in Nigeria

Background:

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with antiretroviral therapy (ART) can rapidly reverse the gains of ART resulting in poor health outcomes. We need an improved under-standing of specific ART-related ADRs that influence virologic outcomes.

Objective:

To investigate the frequency of clinical ADRs and assess their effect on virologic failure in patients on ART.

Method:

We described the prevalence of major clinical ADRs, and the association between specific ADRs and virologic failure in a clinic cohort of HIV-1 infected Nigerians aged ≥18 years, on first-line ART between June 2004 and February 2012. Multivariable logistic regression was run to identify predictors of virologic failure at 24 and 72 weeks of ART.

Results:

Data of 12,115 patients with a median age of 34 (interquartile range: 29-41) years, and pre-dominantly females (67%) were evaluated. Overall, 957 (7.9%) patients experienced at least one ADR during a median follow-up period of 4 years (interquartile range: 1-7). The three most prevalent ADRs were lipodystrophy (2.6%), anemia (1.9%), and skin rash (0.7%). Virologic failure rate was 36% and 34% at 24 and 72 weeks of ART, respectively. Anemia independently predicted the odds of virologic failure at 72 weeks of ART (adjusted odds ratio, 1.74; 95% CI: 1.2-2.51); adjusted for sex, age, pre-treatment CD4+ cell count, antiretroviral regimen, and medication refill adherence.

Conclusion:

Antiretroviral therapy-associated anemia increases the likelihood of late virologic failure. We recommend routine monitoring of hemoglobin levels and prompt management of anemia in all pa-tients on ART as a strategy to improve virologic success rates.