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Ogunyemi AO, Odeyemi KA, Okusanya BO, Olorunfemi G, Simon M, Balogun MR, Akanmu AS. Impact of training and case manager support for traditional birth attendants in the linkage of care among HIV-positive pregnant women in Southwest Nigeria: a 3-arm cluster randomized control trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:153. [PMID: 38383378 PMCID: PMC10880323 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06332-2] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) accounts for 90% of all new paediatric HIV infections in Nigeria and for approximately 30% of the global burden. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a training model that incorporated case managers working closely with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) to ensure linkage to care for HIV-positive pregnant women. METHODS This study was a 3-arm parallel design cluster randomized controlled trial in Ifo and Ado-Odo Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study employed a random sampling technique to allocate three distinct TBA associations as clusters. Cluster 1 received training exclusively; Cluster 2 underwent training in addition to the utilization of case managers, and Cluster 3 served as a control group. In total, 240 TBAs were enrolled in the study, with 80 participants in each of the intervention and control groups. and were followed up for a duration of 6 months. We employed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) statistical test to evaluate the differences between baseline and endline HIV knowledge scores and PMTCT practices. Additionally, bivariate analysis using the chi-square test was used to investigate linkage to care. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify TBA characteristics associated with various PMTCT interventions, including the receipt of HIV test results and repeat testing at term for HIV-negative pregnant women. The data analysis was performed using Stata version 16.1.877, and we considered results statistically significant when p values were less than 0.05. RESULTS At the end of this study, there were improvements in the TBAs' HIV and PMTCT-related knowledge within the intervention groups, however, it did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). The referral of pregnant clients for HIV testing was highest (93.5%) within cluster 2 TBAs, who received both PMTCT training and case manager support (p ≤ 0.001). The likelihood of HIV-negative pregnant women at term repeating an HIV test was approximately 4.1 times higher when referred by TBAs in cluster 1 (AOR = 4.14; 95% CI [2.82-5.99]) compared to those in the control group and 1.9 times in cluster 2 (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI [1.3-2.89]) compared to the control group. Additionally, older TBAs (OR = 1.62; 95% CI [1.26-2.1]) and TBAs with more years of experience in their practice (OR = 1.45; 95% CI [1.09-1.93]) were more likely to encourage retesting among HIV-negative women at term. CONCLUSIONS The combination of case managers and PMTCT training was more effective than training alone for TBAs in facilitating the linkage to care of HIV-positive pregnant women, although this effect did not reach statistical significance. Larger-scale studies to further investigate the benefits of case manager support in facilitating the linkage to care for PMTCT of HIV are recommended. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was retrospectively registered in the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, and it was assigned the unique identification number PACTR202206622552114.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adedoyin O Ogunyemi
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.
| | - Kofoworola A Odeyemi
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Babasola O Okusanya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Gbenga Olorunfemi
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Melissa Simon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA
| | - Mobolanle R Balogun
- Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Alani S Akanmu
- Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos State, Lagos, Nigeria
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Nicol E, Jama NA, Mehlomakulu V, Hlongwa M, Pass D, Basera W, Bradshaw D. Enhancing linkage to HIV care in the "Universal Test and Treat" era: Barriers and enablers to HIV care among adults in a high HIV burdened district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1756. [PMID: 37689667 PMCID: PMC10492313 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16576-w] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ending AIDS by 2030 would depend on how successful health systems are in linking people living with HIV (PLHIV) into care. The World Health Organization recommended the 'Universal Test and Treat' (UTT) strategy - initiating all individuals testing positive on antiretroviral therapy (ART) irrespective of their CD4 count and clinical staging. This study aimed to explore the enablers and barriers to linkage to HIV care among adults with a new HIV diagnosis in a high-HIV prevalent rural district in South Africa. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore patients' perceptions of enablers and barriers of linkage-to-care, using a life-story narration and dialogue approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 38 HIV-positive participants sampled from a cohort of 1194 HIV-positive patients recruited from December 2017 to June 2018. Participants were selected based on whether they had been linked to care or not within 3 months of positive HIV diagnosis. Interviews were thematically analysed using a general inductive approach. Of the 38 participants, 22 (58%) linked to care within three months of HIV-positive diagnosis. Factors that facilitated or inhibited linkage-to-care were found at individual, family, community, as well as health systems levels. Enablers included a positive HIV testing experience, and assistance from the fieldwork team. Support from family, and friends, as well as prior community-based education about HIV and ART were also noted. Individual factors such as acceptance of HIV status, previous exposure to PLHIV, and fear of HIV progressing, were identified. Barriers to linkage included, denial of HIV status, dislike of taking pills, and preference for alternative medicine. Negative experiences with counselling and health systems inefficiency were also noted as barriers. Perceived stigma and socio-economic factors, such as lack of food or money to visit the clinic were other barriers. Community-based and health system-level interventions would need to focus on clinic readiness in providing patients with necessary and effective health services such as proper and adequate counselling. This could increase the number of patients who link to care. Finally, interventions to improve linkage-to-care should consider a holistic approach, including training healthcare providers, community outreach and the provision of psychological, social, and financial support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Nicol
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa.
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Ngcwalisa Amanda Jama
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Vuyelwa Mehlomakulu
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
| | - Mbuzeleni Hlongwa
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Public Health, Societies and Belonging, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Desiree Pass
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
| | - Wisdom Basera
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Debbie Bradshaw
- Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, P.O. Box 19070, TygerbergCape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Haile ZT, Sarfo B, Bonney EY, Mensah EA, Deletsu S. Association between Antiretroviral Treatment and Markers of Systemic Inflammation among HIV Patients in Ghana. Curr HIV Res 2020; 18:466-474. [PMID: 32807057 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666200817111152] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies from high-income countries have reported that even after receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV-infected adults may not achieve normal levels of certain inflammatory markers that are known to be associated with the onset and development of non-communicable diseases. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between ART and markers of systemic inflammation in HIV/AIDS patients at an urban antiretroviral clinic in Ghana. METHODS We examined serum levels of high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin- 18(IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor-α (sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) from 40 HIV infected patients. Kruskal-Wallis Test was used to examine the differences in markers of systemic inflammation according to the types of ART medication taken. We then utilized generalized additive models (GAM) with non-linear function to examine the association between ART and markers of systemic inflammation after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS Overall, 30 (75.0%) of the participants received ART and 35 (85%) were female. Kruskal- Wallis Test revealed no significant differences in the markers of systemic inflammation among the three categories of ART (none, AZT, 3TC, EFV/NVP, and TDF, 3TC/FTC, EFV/NVP). In the multivariable- adjusted GAM model, we found a significant but non-linear association between time since diagnosis and CRP levels (p=0.006). CONCLUSION Although the relatively small sample size limits the scope of the study's findings, these results suggest that individuals on ART need to be screened periodically for the development of chronic conditions. This line of investigation has the potential to influence treatment and clinical guidelines that will improve the quality of care for HIV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelalem T Haile
- Department of Social Medicine, Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dublin OH-43016, United States
| | - Bismark Sarfo
- Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, University of Ghana School of Public Health, Legon, Ghana
| | - Evelyn Y Bonney
- Department of Virology, University of Ghana Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Ghana
| | - Eric A Mensah
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
| | - Selase Deletsu
- Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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Fan X, She R, Liu C, Zhong H, Lau JTF, Hao C, Li J, Hao Y, Li L, Gu J. Evaluation of smartphone APP-based case-management services among antiretroviral treatment-naïve HIV-positive men who have sex with men: a randomized controlled trial protocol. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:85. [PMID: 31959139 PMCID: PMC6971898 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-8171-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionally affected by HIV in China. ‘Treatment as Prevention’ is a promising strategy for HIV prevention but requires adequate adherence. Mobile health (mHealth) may be an acceptable and feasible approach for service delivery, but there is little evidence supporting mHealth intervention for improving antiretroviral treatment adherence among HIV-infected MSM in low- and middle-income countries, including China. This study will aim to develop a smartphone application-based case-management service and compare its efficacy to standard care with regards to adherence, CD4, HIV viral load and psychosocial outcomes among MSM patients in Guangzhou, China. Methods A non-blinded 1:1 parallel-group randomised controlled trial will be conducted in Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital, with 300 MSM enrolled in each arm. Eligible MSM who are newly initiating ART will be randomly assigned to an intervention group (standard-of-care case management plus mHealth intervention) or a control group (standard-of-care case management). The development of the mHealth intervention will be based on the information–motivation–behavioural skills theory of ART adherence, and comprise four components: educational articles, one-to-one online communication with case managers, support-service information and hospital-visit reminders. Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and at months 1, 3, 6, and 12. The primary outcomes will be ART adherence and CD4 count at month 6. Secondary outcomes include HIV RNA, sexual behaviours, mental health status, illness perceptions, and quality of life. χ2 test and t-test will be used for between-group comparisons. Intervention effects will be evaluated using General estimating equation performed by SAS 9.0, on the principle of intention-to-treat. Structural equation modelling will be used to test potential mechanisms of intervention effect. Discussion This study is the first to explore the efficacy of mHealth intervention in the case management services targeted at HIV-infected MSM in low-and middle-income countries. Once proven effective, the innovative mHealth service could be integrated into the routine case management of PLWH. as well as be tailored to the patient management service for other chronic conditions. Trial registration ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT03860116; Registered on 1 March 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Fan
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui She
- Centre for Health Behaviours Research, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Cong Liu
- Infectious Disease Centre, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haidan Zhong
- Infectious Disease Centre, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Joseph T F Lau
- Centre for Health Behaviours Research, School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.,Centre for Medical Anthropology and Behavioural Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinghua Li
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuantao Hao
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Linghua Li
- Infectious Disease Centre, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Gu
- Department of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China. .,Sun Yat-sen Global Health Institute, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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