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Mbira TE, Kufa T, Sherman GG, Ngandu NK. Compliance to Viral Load Monitoring Schedules Among Women Attending Prevention of Vertical HIV Transmission Services Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ehlanzeni District, Mpumalanga, South Africa. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:868-885. [PMID: 37831233 PMCID: PMC10896817 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04192-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral load (VL) monitoring was likely interrupted during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We used routine data on repeat VL testing among 667 prevention of vertical HIV transmission (PVT) clients in Ehlanzeni district, to determine compliance to VL testing recommendations and associated factors during different time periods: pre-COVID-19, transition, and COVID-19. Descriptive and multivariable Poisson regression analyses were conducted, with and without including revised PVT-guidelines rolled out in January-2020. Among 405 women with ≥ 2 VL tests, the overall median age was 30 years (interquartile range: 26-35 years). Compliance to recommended VL testing guidelines ranged between 81.5% (172/211) and 92.3% (191/207) at different time periods. Across all three periods and when revised PVT-guidelines were used, being compliant was significantly reduced among those with earliest VL = 50-999 copies/ml (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 0.71 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61-0.82], p value < 0.001) and VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml (IRR = 0.18 [95% CI 0.09-0.36], p value < 0.001). When guideline revisions were excluded, compliance was only significantly reduced among those with VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml (IRR = 0.14 [95% CI 0.06-0.32], p value < 0.001) and increased during the COVID-19 period versus pre-COVID-19 (IRR = 1.10 [95% CI 1.05-1.15], p value < 0.001). Similar significant associations between compliance and VL level were observed when the COVID-19 period was analyzed separately. Significantly increased compliance to VL testing among the 25-34 years age-group versus younger women was also observed across all periods. These results highlight the importance of strengthening strategies such as short message service reminders and educational messaging, reaching all age-groups, to fast-track implementation targets for VL monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandiwe Elsie Mbira
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tendesayi Kufa
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Gayle Gillian Sherman
- Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nobubelo Kwanele Ngandu
- HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.
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2
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Larson BA, Tsikhutsu I, Bii M, Halim N, Agaba P, Sugut W, Muli J, Sawe F. The effects of revised peer-counselor support on the PMTCT cascade of care: results from a cluster-randomized trial in Kenya (the EMMA study). BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:257. [PMID: 37098468 PMCID: PMC10127503 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08246-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the effect of revisions to existing peer-counselor services, called Mentor Mothers (MM), at maternal and child health clinics on medication adherence for women living with HIV (WLWH) in Kenya and on early infant HIV testing. METHODS The Enhanced Mentor Mother Program study was a 12-site, two-arm cluster-randomized trial enrolling pregnant WLWH from March 2017 to June 2018 (with data collection through September 2020). Six clinics were randomized to continued MM-supported standard care (SC). Six clinics were randomized to the intervention arm (INT = SC plus revised MM services to include more one-on-one interactions). Primary outcomes for mothers were defined as: (PO1) the proportion of days covered (PDC) with antiretroviral therapy (ART) ≥ 0.90 during the last 24-weeks of pregnancy; and (PO2) ≥ 0.90 PDC during the first 24-weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes were infant HIV testing according to national guidelines (at 6, 24, and 48 weeks). Crude and adjusted risk differences between study arms are reported. RESULTS We enrolled 363 pregnant WLHV. After excluding known transfers and subjects with incomplete data extraction, data were analyzed for 309 WLWH (151 SC, 158 INT). A small share achieved high PDC during the prenatal and postnatal periods (0.33 SC/0.24 INT achieved PO1; 0.30 SC/0.31 INT achieved PO2; crude or adjusted risk differences were not statistically significant). In addition, ~ 75% in both study arms completed viral load testing during year two after enrollment, with > 90% suppressed in both arms. For infants, ≥ 90% in both arms had at least one HIV test through study follow up (76 weeks) but testing on schedule according to PMTCT guidelines was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS While national guidelines in Kenya recommended that all HIV-infected pregnant women take a daily antiretroviral regimen for life following a HIV diagnosis, results presented here indicate that a minor share achieved high medication coverage during the prenatal and postnatal periods analyzed. In addition, adjustments to Mentor-Mother services showed no improvement in study outcomes. The lack of effect for this behavioral intervention is relatively consistent with the existing literature to improve mother-infant outcomes along the PMTCT care cascade. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER NCT02848235. Date of first trial registration 28/07/2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Larson
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Isaac Tsikhutsu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Margaret Bii
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Nafisa Halim
- Department of Global Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 801 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Patricia Agaba
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William Sugut
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Jane Muli
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
| | - Fredrick Sawe
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kericho, Kenya/U.S. Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa, Nairobi, Kenya
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- HJF Medical Research International, Kericho, Kenya
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Kafack EVF, Fokam J, Nana TN, Saniotis A, Halle-Ekane GE. Evaluation of plasma viral-load monitoring and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 in three health facilities of the Littoral region of Cameroon. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277271. [PMID: 36342923 PMCID: PMC9639847 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) has reduced HIV incidence among new-borns. However, PMTCT remains concerning in sub-Saharan Africa due to bottlenecks including viral load (VL) monitoring during pregnancy. We assessed VL coverage and materno-foetal outcomes of pregnancy among HIV-infected women within the Cameroonian context. Methods A hospital-based study was conducted among HIV-infected mothers and their babies in three facilities of the Littoral region of Cameroon from January 2019 to May 2021. Maternal VL-coverage was monitored during pregnancy (VL>1000 copies/ml or unknown were classified as MTCT high-risk group); HIV early infant diagnosis (EID) was evaluated by PCR at six-weeks after birth, and EID results were analysed according to maternal VL; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of 135 HIV-infected pregnant women enrolled (median [IQR] age 39 [27–37] years), VL-coverage during antenatal care (ANC) was 50.4% (68/135), with a lower VL-coverage in 2019 (37.5% vs. 61.9%, p = 0.0069). Married women vs. single (61.8% vs. 42.5%, p = 0.0275) and those on treatment before vs. during pregnancy (56.7% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.0043) had a higher VL-coverage, respectively. Among those with known VL, 10.3% (7/68) had high (VL>1000 copies/mL), 22.1% (15/68) had low (50–1000 copies/mL), and 67.6% (46/68) had undetectable (<50 copies/mL) VL, suggesting an overall viral suppression (<1000copies/mL) of 89.7% (61/68). Vaginal delivery was 80.75% (109/135) regardless of VL, including 81.1% (59/74) women in the high-risk group. EID coverage was 88.1% (119/135) and the rate of HIV-1 MTCT was 1.68% (2/119). Both HIV-positive infants were from the high-risk group, had prolonged labour, had vaginal delivery and were breastfed. Conclusion In these Cameroonian settings, VL-coverage remains suboptimal (below 90%) among ANC attendees, and women at high-risk of MTCT mainly have vaginal delivery. Viral suppression rate remains below the target (below 90%) for accelerating the elimination of MTCT. HIV-MTCT persists, and might be driven essentially by poor VL monitoring. Thus, achieving an optimal PMTCT performance requires a thorough compliance to virologic assessment during ANC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joseph Fokam
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Virology Laboratory, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management, Yaounde, Cameroon
- * E-mail: (GEHE); (JF)
| | | | - Arthur Saniotis
- Bachelor of Doctor Assistance Department, DDT College of Medicine, Gabarone, Botswana
- Biological Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy Research Unit, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Gregory Edie Halle-Ekane
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
- Douala General Hospital, Douala, Cameroon
- * E-mail: (GEHE); (JF)
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Mokua S, Maloba M, Wexler C, Goggin K, Staggs V, Mabachi N, Maosa N, Babu S, Hurley E, Finocchario-Kessler S. Evaluating the efficacy of the HITSystem 2.1 to improve PMTCT retention and maternal viral suppression in Kenya: Study protocol of a cluster-randomized trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263988. [PMID: 35881649 PMCID: PMC9321364 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gaps in the provision of guideline-adherent prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services and maternal retention in care contribute to nearly 8000 Kenyan infants becoming infected with HIV annually. Interventions that routinize evidence-based PMTCT service delivery and foster consistent patient engagement are essential to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV. The HITSystem 2.1 is an eHealth intervention that aims to improve retention in PMTCT services and viral load monitoring, using electronic alerts to providers and SMS to patients. This study will evaluate the impact, implementation, and cost-effectiveness of HITSystem 2.1. Method This cluster randomized trial will be conducted at 12 study hospital (6 intervention, 6 control). Pregnant women living with HIV who have initiated PMTCT care ≤36 weeks gestation are eligible. Women enrolled at control hospitals will receive standard-of-care PMTCT services. Women enrolled at intervention hospitals will receive standard-of-care PMTCT services plus enhanced HITSystem 2.1 tracking. Mixed logistic regression models will compare the arms on two primary outcomes: (1) completed guideline-adherence PMTCT services and (2) viral suppression at both delivery and 6 months postpartum. We will assess associations between provider and patient characteristics (disclosure status, partner status, depression, partner support), PMTCT knowledge, and motivation with retention outcomes. Using the RE-AIM model, we will also assess implementation factors to guide sustainable scale-up. Finally, a cost-effectiveness analysis will be conducted. Discussion This study will provide insights regarding the development and adaptation of eHealth strategies to meet the global goal of eliminating new HIV infections in children and optimizing maternal health through PMTCT services. If efficacious, implementation and cost-effectiveness data gathered in this study will guide scale-up across Kenyan health facilities. Trial registration This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04571684) on October 1, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Mokua
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail: ,
| | - May Maloba
- Global Health Innovations–Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Catherine Wexler
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Kathy Goggin
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Health Services and Outcomes Research, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
- University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Vincent Staggs
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Health Services and Outcomes Research, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Natabhona Mabachi
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | | | | | - Emily Hurley
- Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Health Services and Outcomes Research, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Sarah Finocchario-Kessler
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Missouri, United States of America
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Pham MD, Nguyen HV, Anderson D, Crowe S, Luchters S. Viral load monitoring for people living with HIV in the era of test and treat: progress made and challenges ahead - a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1203. [PMID: 35710413 PMCID: PMC9202111 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13504-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2016, we conducted a systematic review to assess the feasibility of treatment monitoring for people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), in line with the 90-90-90 treatment target. By 2020, global estimates suggest the 90-90-90 target, particularly the last 90, remains unattainable in many LMICs. This study aims to review the progress and identify needs for public health interventions to improve viral load monitoring and viral suppression for PLHIV in LMICs. Methods A literature search was conducted using an update of the initial search strategy developed for the 2016 review. Electronic databases (Medline and PubMed) were searched to identify relevant literature published in English between Dec 2015 and August 2021. The primary outcome was initial viral load (VL) monitoring (the proportion of PLHIV on ART and eligible for VL monitoring who received a VL test). Secondary outcomes included follow-up VL monitoring (the proportion of PLHIV who received a follow-up VL after an initial elevated VL test), confirmation of treatment failure (the proportion of PLHIV who had two consecutive elevated VL results) and switching treatment regimen rates (the proportion of PLHIV who switched treatment regimen after confirmation of treatment failure). Results The search strategy identified 1984 non-duplicate records, of which 34 studies were included in the review. Marked variations in initial VL monitoring coverage were reported across study settings/countries (range: 12–93% median: 74% IQR: 46–82%) and study populations (adults (range: 25–96%, median: 67% IQR: 50–84%), children, adolescents/young people (range: 2–94%, median: 72% IQR: 47–85%), and pregnant women (range: 32–82%, median: 57% IQR: 43–71%)). Community-based models reported higher VL monitoring (median: 85%, IQR: 82-88%) compared to decentralised care at primary health facility (median: 64%, IRQ: 48-82%). Suboptimal uptake of follow-up VL monitoring and low regimen switching rates were observed. Conclusions Substantial gaps in VL coverage across study settings and study populations were evident, with limited data availability outside of sub-Saharan Africa. Further research is needed to fill the data gaps. Development and implementation of innovative, community-based interventions are required to improve VL monitoring and address the “failure cascade” in PLHIV on ART who fail to achieve viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh D Pham
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Huy V Nguyen
- Health Innovation and Transformation Centre, Federation University, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Anderson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Suzanne Crowe
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Stanley Luchters
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.,Centre for Sexual Health and HIV & AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe.,Department of Public health and Primary care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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6
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Retention in care and viral suppression in the PMTCT continuum at a large referral facility in western Kenya. AIDS Behav 2022; 26:3494-3505. [PMID: 35467229 PMCID: PMC9550706 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03666-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Medical records of pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV and their infants attending a large referral facility in Kenya from 2015 to 2019 were analyzed to identify characteristics associated with retention in care and viral suppression. Women were stratified based on the timing of HIV care enrollment: known HIV-positive (KHP; enrolled pre-pregnancy) and newly HIV-positive (NHP; enrolled during pregnancy). Associations with retention at 18 months postpartum and viral suppression (< 1000 copies/mL) were determined. Among 856 women (20% NHP), retention was 83% for KHPs and 53% for NHPs. Viral suppression was 88% for KHPs and 93% for NHPs, but 19% of women were missing viral load results. In a competing risk model, viral suppression increased by 18% for each additional year of age but was not associated with other factors. Overall, 1.9% of 698 infants with ≥ 1 HIV test result were HIV-positive. Tailored interventions are needed to promote retention and viral load testing, particularly for NHPs, in the PMTCT continuum.
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Odayar J, Kabanda S, Malaba TR, Lesosky M, Myer L. Brief Report: Viral Load Monitoring in Pregnancy to Predict Peripartum Viremia in South Africa. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 88:6-9. [PMID: 34050102 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002738] [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: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Enhanced postnatal prophylaxis is recommended in infants of women with viremia during labor, as identified by viral load (VL) testing late in pregnancy. However, data on the use of antenatal VL to predict peripartum viremia are few, particularly in women starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) in pregnancy who experience initial VL declines. METHODS Between January 2016 and August 2017, we identified HIV-infected women who initiated ART (tenofovir, emtricitabine, and efavirenz) antenatally and had a VL <400 copies/mL before delivery in Cape Town, South Africa. VLs were repeated postdelivery, and sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-) for antenatal VL <100 copies/mL in predicting peripartum VLs <100 and <400 copies/mL were calculated. RESULTS Among 322 women (median age 29 years, 44% with a history of ART use, median gestation of antenatal VL 33 weeks), antenatal VL was <100 copies/mL in 89% and 100-400 copies/mL in 11%. At a median 9 days postpartum, 91%, 7%, and 2% of women had a VL <100, 100-400, and >400 copies/mL, respectively. Sensitivity of antenatal VL <100 copies/mL in predicting peripartum VL <100 copies/mL was 0.95 (95% confidence interval: 0.92 to 0.97), and specificity was 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.51 to 0.87; LR+ 3.28, LR- 0.07). Performance was slightly weaker to detect peripartum VL <400 copies/mL but was similar across strata of gestation at antenatal VL and history of ART use. DISCUSSION Antenatal VL is a useful predictor of peripartum viremia in women who started ART in pregnancy and attained a VL <400 copies/mL antenatally and may be used to target enhanced postnatal prophylaxis interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasantha Odayar
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and
| | - Siti Kabanda
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and
- Currently, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa; and
| | - Thokozile R Malaba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and
| | - Maia Lesosky
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; and
- Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
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Woldesenbet SA, Kufa-Chakezha T, Lombard C, Manda S, Cheyip M, Ayalew K, Puren A. Coverage of maternal viral load monitoring during pregnancy in South Africa: Results from the 2019 national Antenatal HIV Sentinel Survey. HIV Med 2021; 22:805-815. [PMID: 34213065 PMCID: PMC9292699 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: South Africa has made remarkable progress in increasing the coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among pregnant women; however, viral suppression among pregnant women receiving ART is reported to be low. Access to routine viral load testing is crucial to identify women with unsuppressed viral load early in pregnancy and to provide timely intervention to improve viral suppression. This study aimed to determine the coverage of maternal viral load monitoring nationally, focusing on viral load testing, documentation of viral load test results, and viral suppression (viral load < 50 copies/mL). At the time of this study, the first-line regimen for women initiating ART during pregnancy was non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase (NNRTI)-based regimen. Methods: Between 1 October and 15 November 2019, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 15- to 49-year-old pregnant women attending antenatal care in 1589 nationally representative public health facilities. Data on ART status, viral load testing and viral load test results were extracted from medical records. Logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with coverage of viral load testing. Results: Of 8112 participants eligible for viral load testing, 81.7% received viral load testing, and 94.1% of the viral load test results were documented in the medical records. Of those who had viral load test results documented, 74.1% were virally suppressed. Women initiated on ART during pregnancy and who received ART for three months had lower coverage of viral load testing (73%) and viral suppression (56.8%) compared with women initiated on ART before pregnancy (82.8% and 76.1%, respectively). Initiating ART during pregnancy rather than before pregnancy was associated with a lower likelihood of receiving a viral load test during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio = 1.6, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–1.8). Conclusions: Viral load result documentation was high; viral load testing could be improved especially among women initiating ART during pregnancy. The low viral suppression among women who initiated ART during pregnancy despite receiving ART for three months highlights the importance of enhanced adherence counselling during pregnancy. Our finding supports the WHO recommendation that a Dolutegravir-containing regimen be the preferred regimen for women who are newly initiating ART during pregnancy for more rapid viral suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selamawit A Woldesenbet
- Centre for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha
- Centre for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Carl Lombard
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Samuel Manda
- Biostatistics Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa.,Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mireille Cheyip
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Kassahun Ayalew
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Adrian Puren
- Centre for HIV and STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Boeke CE, Joseph J, Atem C, Banda C, Coulibaly KD, Doi N, Gunda A, Kandulu J, Kiernan B, Kingwara L, Maokola W, Maparo T, Mbaye RN, Mtumbuka E, Mziray J, Ngugi C, Nkakulu J, Nzuobontane D, Okomo Assoumo MC, Peter T, Rioja MR, Sacks JA, Simbi R, Vojnov L, Khan SA. Evaluation of near point-of-care viral load implementation in public health facilities across seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25663. [PMID: 33455081 PMCID: PMC7811577 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In many low- and middle-income countries, HIV viral load (VL) testing occurs at centralized laboratories and time-to-result-delivery is lengthy, preventing timely monitoring of HIV treatment adherence. Near point-of-care (POC) devices, which are placed within health facility laboratories rather than clinics themselves (i.e. "true" POC), can offer VL in conjunction with centralized laboratories to expedite clinical decision making and improve outcomes, especially for patients at high risk of treatment failure. We assessed impacts of near-POC VL testing on result receipt and clinical action in public sector programmes in Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. METHODS Routine health data were collected retrospectively after introducing near-POC VL testing at 57 public sector health facilities (2017 to 2019, country-dependent). Where possible, key indicators were compared to data from patients receiving centralized laboratory testing using hazard ratios and the Somers' D test. RESULTS Data were collected from 6795 tests conducted on near-POC and 17614 tests on centralized laboratory-based platforms. Thirty-one percent (2062/6694) of near-POC tests were conducted for high-risk populations: pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and those with suspected failure. Compared to conventional testing, near-POC improved the median time from sample collection to return of results to patient [six vs. sixty-eight days, effect size: -32.2%; 95% CI: -41.0% to -23.4%] and to clinical action for individuals with an elevated HIV VL [three vs. fourty-nine days, effect size: -35.4%; 95% CI: -46.0% to -24.8%]. Near-POC VL results were two times more likely to be returned to the patient within 90 days compared to centralized tests [50% (1781/3594) vs. 27% (4172/15271); aHR: 2.22, 95% CI: 2.05 to 2.39]. Thirty-seven percent (340/925) of patients with an elevated near-POC HIV VL result had documented clinical follow-up actions within 30 days compared to 7% (167/2276) for centralized testing. CONCLUSIONS Near-POC VL testing enabled rapid test result delivery for high-risk populations and led to significant improvements in the timeliness of patient result receipt compared to centralized testing. While there was some improvement in time-to-clinical action with near-POC VL testing, major gaps remained. Strengthening of systems supporting the utilization of results for patient management are needed to truly capitalize on the benefits of decentralized testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Khady Diatou Coulibaly
- Division de la Lutte Contre le SIDA et les ISTMinistère de la Santé et de l’Action SocialeDakarSenegal
| | - Naoko Doi
- Clinton Health Access InitiativeBostonMAUSA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Joseph Mziray
- Clinton Health Access InitiativeDar Es SalaamTanzania
| | - Catherine Ngugi
- National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP)NairobiKenya
| | - Jeanine Nkakulu
- Clinton Health Access InitiativeKinshasaDemocratic Republic of Congo
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Raiva Simbi
- Ministry of Health and Child CareHarareZimbabwe
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