A nurse-led intervention to improve management of virological failure in public sector HIV clinics in Durban, South Africa: A pre- and post-implementation evaluation

The viral load monitoring cascade in HIV treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The United Nations' 95-95-95 (95% of people with HIV being aware of their diagnosis, 95% of those aware of their diagnosis being on treatment and 95% achieving viral suppression) target aims to reduce morbidity and mortality of HIV. However, with 60% of new HIV infections occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), achieving this target in the region is challenging. Viral load (VL) monitoring is the gold-standard approach of assessing treatment efficacy, and its implementation into national health systems is a global health priority if elimination of HIV as a public health threat is to be achieved by 2030. This systematic review aims to investigate VL monitoring outcomes in SSA, and to identify gaps and possible interventions to help nations meet their 2030 targets.

METHODS

A literature search of three electronic platforms (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Global Health) was undertaken from 1 January to 9 August 2024 to identify studies published in English and conducted in SSA. The primary outcome was the proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) with routine VL monitoring at the recommended time points (initially, 6 months, 12 months and annually). Secondary outcomes reported proportions of PLHIV who received routine VL monitoring who went on to complete the cascade of care after identified virological failure [enhanced adherence counselling (EAC), switch to second-line ART, and finally viral suppression].

RESULTS

The initial search identified 342 papers, of which 35 studies were included for narrative synthesis. Included studies reported on findings from 14 African countries and demonstrated extensive variation in rates of VL monitoring (range: 24.3-99.7%, mean: 63.8%). Results were more unfavourable in the latter steps of the viral load monitoring cascade, with a range of 0-88%, and a switch to second-line ART mean of 42% (range: 4.4-93%). Studies with additional support, and those with community-based models of care, had higher rates of VL testing and viral suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

VL monitoring and management of virological failure are suboptimal in many SSA countries due to individual and health system-related challenges. Health system strengthening is vital to ensure the sustainability of HIV treatment programmes and the achievement of 95-95-95 targets by 2030.

Intervention strategies to improve adherence to treatment for selected chronic conditions in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Evidence-based intervention strategies to improve adherence among individuals living with chronic conditions are critical in ensuring better outcomes. In this systematic review, we assessed the impact of interventions that aimed to promote adherence to treatment for chronic conditions.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and CINAHL databases to identify relevant studies published between the years 2000 and 2023 and used the QUIPS assessment tool to assess the quality and risk of bias of each study. We extracted data from eligible studies for study characteristics and description of interventions for the study populations of interest.

RESULTS

Of the 32,698 total studies/records screened, 2814 were eligible for abstract screening and of those, 497 were eligible for full-text screening. A total of 82 studies were subsequently included, describing a total of 58,043 patients. Of the total included studies, 58 (70.7%) were related to antiretroviral therapy for HIV, 6 (7.3%) were anti-hypertensive medication-related, 12 (14.6%) were anti-diabetic medication-related and 6 (7.3%) focused on medication for more than one condition. A total of 54/82 (65.9%) reported improved adherence based on the described study outcomes, 13/82 (15.9%) did not have clear results or defined outcomes, while 15/82 (18.3%) reported no significant difference between studied groups. The 82 publications described 98 unique interventions (some studies described more than one intervention). Among these intervention strategies, 13 (13.3%) were multifaceted (4/13 [30.8%] multi-component health services- and community-based programmes, 6/13 [46.2%] included individual plus group counselling and 3/13 [23.1%] included SMS or alarm reminders plus individual counselling).

DISCUSSION

The interventions described in this review ranged from adherence counselling to more complex interventions such as mobile health (mhealth) interventions. Combined interventions comprised of different components may be more effective than using a single component in isolation. However, the complexity involved in designing and implementing combined interventions often complicates the practicalities of such interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

There is substantial evidence that community- and home-based interventions, digital health interventions and adherence counselling interventions can improve adherence to medication for chronic conditions. Future research should answer if existing interventions can be used to develop less complicated multifaceted adherence intervention strategies.

Management technology for implementing the Systematization of Nursing Care

OBJECTIVE

To describe the construction of a management technology aimed at implementing the Systematization of Nursing Care in nursing services.

METHOD

This is a methodological, qualitative and explanatory study, based on the normative and legal framework of COFEN Resolution 358/2009. It comprised the theoretical construction of instruments for practice anchored in the literature and expertise of a group of 40 nurses, between April 2020 and June 2021.

RESULTS

The technology is outlined from the dimensions of method, personnel and nursing instruments that support the Systematization of Nursing Care tripod. It consists of an explanatory model of an operational management matrix and a checklist-type instrument for follow-up/monitoring of Systematization of Nursing Care management in services.

CONCLUSION

Management technology is inserted as a solution to improve organizational performance, health care, clinical decision support, planning, administration, organization of services and professional practice, and create favorable conditions for applying the Process of Nursing at its fullest.

Detection of HIV Virologic Failure and Switch to Second-Line Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Data From Sub-Saharan Africa

Background

The late recognition of virologic failure (VF) places persons with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa at risk for HIV transmission, disease progression, and death. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if the recognition and response to VF in the region has improved.

Methods

We searched for studies reporting CD4 count at confirmed VF or at switch to second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Using a random-effects metaregression model, we analyzed temporal trends in CD4 count at VF-or at second-line ART switch-over time. We also explored temporal trends in delay between VF and switch to second-line ART.

Results

We identified 26 studies enrolling patients with VF and 10 enrolling patients at second-line ART switch. For studies that enrolled patients at VF, pooled mean CD4 cell count at failure was 187 cells/mm3 (95% CI, 111 to 263). There was no significant change in CD4 count at confirmed failure over time (+4 cells/year; 95% CI, -7 to 15). Among studies that enrolled patients at second-line switch, the pooled mean CD4 count was 108 cells/mm3 (95% CI, 63 to 154). CD4 count at switch increased slightly over time (+10 CD4 cells/year; 95% CI, 2 to 19). During the same period, the mean delay between confirmation of VF and switch was 530 days, with no significant decline over time (-14 days/year; 95% CI, -58 to 52).

Conclusions

VF in Africa remains an event recognized late in HIV infection, a problem compounded by ongoing delays between VF and second-line switch.

Tecnologia gerencial para implementação da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever a construção de uma tecnologia gerencial voltada à implementação da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem em serviços de enfermagem. Método: Estudo metodológico, qualitativo e explicativo, sustentado no referencial normativo e legal da Resolução COFEN nº 358/2009. Compreendeu a construção teórica de instrumentos para a prática ancorados na literatura e na expertise de um grupo de 40 enfermeiros, entre os meses de abril de 2020 e junho de 2021. Resultados: A tecnologia está delineada a partir das dimensões método, pessoal e instrumentos de enfermagem que sustentam o tripé da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem. É constituída por um modelo explicativo de uma matriz de gestão operacional e de um instrumento do tipo checklist para o acompanhamento/monitoramento da gestão da Sistematização da Assistência de Enfermagem nos serviços. Conclusão A tecnologia gerencial se insere como uma solução para melhorar a performance organizacional, a atenção à saúde, o apoio às decisões clínicas, o planejamento, a administração, a organização dos serviços e a prática profissional, e criar condições favoráveis para a aplicação do Processo de Enfermagem em sua plenitude.