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Tanko RF, Bunjun R, Dabee S, Jaumdally SZ, Onono M, Nair G, Palanee-Phillips T, Harryparsad R, Happel AU, Gamieldien H, Qumbelo Y, Sinkala M, Scoville CW, Heller K, Baeten JM, Bosinger SE, Burgener A, Heffron R, Jaspan HB, Passmore JAS. The Effect Of Contraception On Genital Cytokines In Women Randomized To Copper Intrauterine Device, Intramuscular Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Or Levonorgestrel Implant. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:907-919. [PMID: 35263421 PMCID: PMC9470113 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ECHO Trial randomized women to intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel implant (LNG-implant), or copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD). In a sub-study of the ECHO Trial, we tested the hypothesis that contraceptives influence genital inflammation by comparing cervicovaginal cytokine changes following contraception initiation. In addition, we compared cytokine profiles in women who acquired HIV (cases) versus those remaining HIV-negative (controls). METHODS Women (n=251) from South Africa and Kenya were included. Twenty-seven cervicovaginal cytokines were measured by Luminex at baseline, 1- and 6-month post-contraceptive initiation. In addition, cytokines were measured pre-seroconversion in HIV cases (n=25) and controls (n=100). RESULTS At 6-months post-contraceptive initiation, women using Cu-IUD had increased concentrations of 25/27 cytokines compared to their respective baseline concentrations. In contrast, women initiating DMPA-IM and LNG-implant did not experience changes in cervicovaginal cytokines. Pre-seroconversion concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, previously associated with HIV risk, correlated with increased HIV risk in a logistic regression analysis, although not significantly after correcting for multiple comparisons. Adjusting for contraceptive arm did not alter these results. CONCLUSION Although Cu-IUD use broadly increased cervicovaginal cytokine concentrations at 6-months post-insertion, these inflammatory changes were found not to be a significant driver of HIV risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramla F Tanko
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.,The Medical Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plant Studies (IMPM), Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Rubina Bunjun
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Shameem Z Jaumdally
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Thesla Palanee-Phillips
- Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rushil Harryparsad
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Ursula Happel
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hoyam Gamieldien
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Yamkela Qumbelo
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Musalula Sinkala
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Jared M Baeten
- University of Washington, Seattle, USA.,Gilead Sciences, Foster City, USA
| | - Steven E Bosinger
- Emory University, Atlanta, USA.,Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, USA
| | - Adam Burgener
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Canada.,Department of Medicine Solna, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Heather B Jaspan
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.,Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, USA
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.,NRF-DST CAPRISA Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention, Durban, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Service, Cape Town, South Africa
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2
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Ratten LK, Plummer EL, Bradshaw CS, Fairley CK, Murray GL, Garland SM, Bateson D, Tachedjian G, Masson L, Vodstrcil LA. The Effect of Exogenous Sex Steroids on the Vaginal Microbiota: A Systematic Review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:732423. [PMID: 34869054 PMCID: PMC8633117 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.732423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Exogenous sex steroids within hormonal contraception and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) have been used for family planning and management of menopausal symptoms, without consideration of their effects on the vaginal microbiota. This is largely because their use predates our understanding of the importance of the vaginal microbiome on human health. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42018107730) to determine the influence of exogenous sex steroids, stratified by oestrogen-containing or progestin-only types of contraception, and MHT on the vaginal microbiome, as measured by molecular methods. Methods Embase, PubMed and Medline were searched for relevant literature published through to December 1st 2020. Eligible studies reported on the effect of specific exogenous sex steroids on the vaginal microbiome using a molecular method. Data regarding the ‘positive’, ‘negative’ or ‘neutral’ effect of each type of contraceptive or MHT on the vaginal microbiome was extracted and summarised. A positive effect reflected sex steroid exposure that was associated with increased abundance of lactobacilli, a change to, or maintenance of, an optimal vaginal microbiota composition, or a decrease in bacterial diversity (specifically reflecting a low-diversity optimal microbiota state), relative to the control group. An exogenous sex steroid was designated as having a negative effect on the vaginal microbiome if it resulted in opposing effects (i.e. loss of lactobacilli, a non-optimal microbiota state). When no significant change was found, this was considered neutral/inconclusive. Results We identified 29 manuscripts reporting on the effect of exogenous sex steroids on the vaginal microbiome; 25 investigating hormonal contraceptives, and 4 investigating MHT. Oestrogen-containing contraception, particularly reflecting the combined oestrogen and progestin-containing contraceptive pill, had a positive effect on the composition of the vaginal microbiota. Progestin-only contraception, particularly reflecting depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate, had mixed effects on the microbiota. Among post-menopausal women using MHT, exogenous oestrogen applied topically was associated with increased prevalence of lactobacilli. Conclusion Our findings suggest that oestrogen-containing compounds may promote an optimal vaginal microbiota, which could have clinical applications. The impact of progestin-only contraceptives on the vaginal microbiota is less clear; more data is needed to determine how progestin-only contraceptives contribute to adverse reproductive and sexual health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa K Ratten
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Erica L Plummer
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Gerald L Murray
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Garland
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Women's Infectious Diseases Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Deborah Bateson
- Family Planning NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gilda Tachedjian
- Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lindi Masson
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Life Sciences Discipline, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lenka A Vodstrcil
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Kriel Y, Milford C, Cordero JP, Suleman F, Steyn PS, Smit JA. Quality of care in public sector family planning services in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a qualitative evaluation from community and health care provider perspectives. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1246. [PMID: 34789232 PMCID: PMC8600736 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quality of care is a multidimensional concept that forms an integral part of the uptake and use of modern contraceptive methods. Satisfaction with services is a significant factor in the continued use of services. While much is known about quality of care in the general public health care service, little is known about family planning specific quality of care in South Africa. This paper aims to fill the gap in the research by using the Bruce-Jain family planning quality of care framework. METHODS This formative qualitative study was conducted in South Africa, Zambia, and Kenya to explore the uptake of family planning and contraception. The results presented in this paper are from the South African data. Fourteen focus group discussions, twelve with community members and two with health care providers, were conducted along with eight in-depth interviews with key informants. Thematic content analysis using the Bruce-Jain Quality of Care framework was conducted to analyse this data using NVIVO 10. RESULTS Family planning quality of care was defined by participants as the quality of contraceptive methods, attitudes of health care providers, and outcomes of contraceptive use. The data showed that women have limited autonomy in their choice to either use contraception or the method that they might prefer. Important elements that relate to quality of care were identified and described by participants and grouped according to the structural or process components of the framework. Structure-related sub-themes identified included the lack of technically trained providers; integration of services that contributed to long waiting times and mixing of a variety of clients; and poor infrastructure. Sub-themes raised under the process category included poor interpersonal relations; lack of counselling/information exchange, fear; and time constraints. Neither providers nor users discussed follow up mechanisms which is a key aspect to ensure continuity of contraceptive use. CONCLUSION Using a qualitative methodology and applying the Bruce-Jain Quality of Care framework provided key insights into perceptions and challenges about family planning quality of care. Identifying which components are specific to family planning is important for improving contraceptive outcomes. In particular, autonomy in user choice of contraceptive method, integration of services, and the acceptability of overall family planning care was raised as areas of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolandie Kriel
- MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa.
- School of Public Health and Nursing, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Cecilia Milford
- MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Joanna Paula Cordero
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fatima Suleman
- Discipline of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, Durban, South Africa
| | - Petrus S Steyn
- UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Ann Smit
- MRU (MatCH Research Unit), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
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Asabor EN, Lett E, Moll A, Shenoi SV. "We've Got Our Own Beliefs, Attitudes, Myths": A Mixed Methods Assessment of Rural South African Health Care Workers' Knowledge of and Attitudes Towards PrEP Implementation. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2517-2532. [PMID: 33763802 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03213-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
South Africa maintains the world's largest HIV prevalence, accounting for 20.4% of people living with HIV internationally. HIV Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated efficacy; however, there is limited data on PrEP implementation in South Africa, particularly in rural areas. Using grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews and exploratory factor analyses of structured surveys, this mixed methods study examines healthcare workers' (HCWs)' beliefs about their patients and the likelihood of PrEP uptake in their communities. The disproportionate burden of HIV among Black South Africans is linked to the legacy of apartheid and resulting disparities in wealth and employment. HCWs in our study emphasized the importance of addressing these structural barriers, including increased travel burden among men in the community looking for work, poor transportation infrastructure, and limited numbers of highly skilled clinical staff in their rural community. HCWs also espoused a vision of PrEP that prioritizes women due to perceived constraints on their sexual agency, and that minimizes the impact of HIV-related stigma on PrEP implementation. However, HCWs' additional concerns for risk compensation may reflect dominant social mores around sexual behavior. In recognition of HCWs' role as both informants and community members, implementation scientists should invite local HCWs to partner as early as the priority-setting stage for PrEP interventions. Inviting leadership from local HCWs may increase the likelihood of delivery plans that account for unique local context and structural barriers researchers may otherwise struggle to uncover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuella Ngozi Asabor
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity Advancement, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Elle Lett
- Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity Advancement, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anthony Moll
- Church of Scotland Hospital, Tugela Ferry, South Africa
| | - Sheela V Shenoi
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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5
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Smith JA, Beacroft L, Abdullah F, Buthelezi B, Makua M, Morroni C, Ramjee G, Velasquez C, Hallett TB. Responding to the ECHO trial results: modelling the potential impact of changing contraceptive method mix on HIV and reproductive health in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 23:e25620. [PMID: 33030312 PMCID: PMC7543057 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Some observational data suggest that the progestogen injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) may increase a woman's risk of HIV acquisition but a randomized clinical trial did not find a statistically significant increase in HIV risk for women using DMPA compared to two other methods. However, it could not rule out up to 30% increased HIV risk for DMPA users. We evaluate changes to contraceptive method mix in South Africa under different assumptions about the existence and strength of a possible undetected relationship between DMPA use and HIV risk. METHODS A mathematical model was developed to simulate the ongoing HIV epidemic and contraceptive method mix in South Africa to estimate how changes in method mix could impact HIV- and reproductive health-related outcomes. We made different assumptions about the relationship between DMPA use and HIV risk, from no relationship to a 30% increase in HIV risk for women using DMPA. Scenario analyses were used to investigate the impact of switching away from DMPA predominance to new patterns of contraceptive use. RESULTS In South Africa, the HIV-related benefits of reduced DMPA use could be as great as the harms of increased adverse reproductive health outcomes over 20 years, if DMPA did increase the risk of HIV acquisition by a relative hazard of infection of 1.1 or greater. A reduction in DMPA use among HIV-positive women would have no benefit in terms of HIV infections, but would incur additional negative reproductive health outcomes. The most important driver of adverse reproductive health outcomes is the proportion of women who switch away from DMPA to no contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS If there is any real increased HIV risk for DMPA users that has not been detected by the recent randomized trial, a reduction in DMPA use could reduce the ongoing number of new HIV infections. However, such a change would place more women at risk of adverse reproductive health effects. It is imperative that these effects are minimized by focusing on expanding access to safe, effective and acceptable alternative contraceptive methods for all women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer A Smith
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leo Beacroft
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Fareed Abdullah
- Office of AIDS and TB Research, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Manala Makua
- National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Chelsea Morroni
- Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute, Gaborone, Botswana.,Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Timothy B Hallett
- MRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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