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Coelho SM, Rosen JG, Schulz G, Meek K, Shipp L, Singh C, Willis K, Best A, Mcingana M, Mcloughlin J, Hausler H, Beyrer C, Baral SD, Schwartz SR. A decade of PrEP: the evolution of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis content and sentiments in South African print news media, 2012-2021. Cult Health Sex 2024:1-17. [PMID: 38656915 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2024.2344111] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
After nearly a decade of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) rollout in sub-Saharan Africa, there has been limited study of PrEP messaging in news media. We selected twenty South African newspapers with the highest circulation volumes to retrieve articles published in 2012-2021 mentioning PrEP (N = 249). Using inductive content analysis, we developed a structured codebook to characterise PrEP-related content and sentiments, as well as their evolution over time, in the South African press. Many articles espoused favourable attitudes towards PrEP (52%), but a sizeable fraction espoused unfavourable attitudes (11%). Relative to PrEP-favourable articles, PrEP-unfavourable articles were significantly more likely to emphasise the drawbacks/consequences of PrEP use, including adherence/persistence requirements (52% vs. 24%, p = .007), cost (48% vs. 11%, p < .001), and risk compensation (52% vs. 5%, p < .001). Nevertheless, the presence of these drawbacks/consequences in print media largely declined over time. Key populations (e.g. adolescents, female sex workers) were frequently mentioned potential PrEP candidates. Despite message variations over time, prevention effectiveness and adherence/persistence requirements were the most widely cited PrEP benefits and drawbacks, respectively. Study findings demonstrate the dynamic nature of PrEP coverage in the South African press, likely in response to PrEP scale-up and real-world PrEP implementation during the study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simmona M Coelho
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gretchen Schulz
- Department of Population, Family, and Reproductive Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristin Meek
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Lillian Shipp
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Kalai Willis
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sheree R Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Lujintanon S, Hausler H, Comins C, Mcingana M, Shipp L, Phetlhu DR, Makama S, Guddera V, Mishra S, Baral S, Schwartz S. Estimating the mortality risk correcting for high loss to follow-up among female sex workers with HIV in Durban, South Africa, 2018-2021. Ann Epidemiol 2024; 92:8-16. [PMID: 38382770 PMCID: PMC10981924 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2024.02.006] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study assesses risk factors of loss to follow-up (LTFU) and estimates mortality risk among female sex workers (FSW) with HIV in Durban, South Africa, in 2018-2021. METHODS We used data from the Siyaphambili trial, which evaluated strategies for improved viral suppression. FSW with HIV aged ≥ 18 years with viral load ≥ 50 copies/mL were followed up for 18 months. LTFU was defined as absence from study or intervention visits for 6 months. We traced LTFU participants by calling/in-person visit attempts to ascertain their vital status. We used Cox regression to determine risk factors of LTFU and inverse probability of tracing weights to correct mortality risk. RESULTS Of 777 participants, 10 (1.3%) had died and 578 (74.4%) were initially LTFU. Among those LTFU, 36.3% (210/578) were traced successfully, with 6 additional deaths ascertained. Recent physical and sexual violence, and non-viral suppression were associated with increased LTFU. The unweighted and weighted 18-month mortality risks were 2.4% (95% CI: 0.8%-3.9%) and 3.7% (95% CI: 1.8%-5.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS LTFU is common among FSW with HIV in South Africa with additional investigation of vital status demonstrating under-ascertained mortality. These data suggest the need for comprehensively addressing risks for mortality among FSW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sita Lujintanon
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States.
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town 8001, South Africa; Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pretoria, 7th Floor, HW Snyman North building, Prinshof Campus, 31 Bophelo Rd, Gezina, Pretoria 0084, South Africa
| | - Carly Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Mfezi Mcingana
- TB HIV Care, Suit No. 2, Sutton Square, 306/310 Mathews Meyiwa Rd, Morningside, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Lillian Shipp
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Deliwe Rene Phetlhu
- Department of Nursing, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi St, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, Gauteng 0208, South Africa
| | - Siyanda Makama
- TB HIV Care, Suit No. 2, Sutton Square, 306/310 Mathews Meyiwa Rd, Morningside, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Vijayanand Guddera
- TB HIV Care, Suit No. 2, Sutton Square, 306/310 Mathews Meyiwa Rd, Morningside, Durban 4001, South Africa
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- St. Michael's Hospital, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, University of Toronto, 30 Bond St, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD, 21205, United States
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Rosen JG, Knox JR, Rucinski KB, Mcingana M, Mulumba N, Comins CA, Shipp L, Makama S, Beckham SW, Hausler H, Baral SD, Schwartz SR. Polysubstance Use Profiles and HIV Viremia in a South African Cohort of Female Sex Workers: A Latent Class Analysis. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2024; 95:222-230. [PMID: 38032752 PMCID: PMC10922222 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003356] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given intersecting social and structural factors, female sex workers (FSW) exhibit elevated risk of HIV and substance use. However, there is limited study of how distinct substance use typologies influence HIV treatment outcomes among FSW. SETTING A cross-sectional survey with objective viral load assessments of 1391 FSW enrolled into a treatment optimization-focused trial in Durban, South Africa (2018-2020). METHODS We used latent class analysis to uncover discrete patterns in past-month self-reported use of the following substances: heavy alcohol use, cannabis, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamine, heroin, and Whoonga . We used Wald tests to identify multilevel predictors of latent class membership and multivariable mixture modeling to quantify associations of substance use classes with HIV viremia (≥50 RNA copies/mL). RESULTS Substance use (87%) and HIV viremia (62%) were highly prevalent. Latent class analysis uncovered 3 polysubstance use profiles: Heavy Alcohol Use Only (∼54%); Cannabis, Heavy Alcohol, & Crack Use (∼28%); and Whoonga & Crack Use (∼18%). Whoonga & Crack Use was associated with social and structural adversities, including homelessness, outdoor/public sex work, HIV stigma, and violence. Relative to Heavy Alcohol Use Only , HIV viremia was significantly higher in the Whoonga & Crack Use class (adjusted odds ratio 1.97, 95% confidence interval: 1.13 to 3.43), but not in the Cannabis, Heavy Alcohol, & Crack Use class (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval: 0.74 to 1.86). CONCLUSION HIV viremia differed significantly across identified polysubstance use profiles among South African FSW. Integrating drug treatment and harm reduction services into HIV treatment programs is key to improving virologic outcomes in marginalized communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Justin R. Knox
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
| | - Katherine B. Rucinski
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | | | - Ntambue Mulumba
- Key Populations Programme, TB HIV Care, Durban, South Africa
| | - Carly A. Comins
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Lillian Shipp
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Siyanda Makama
- Key Populations Programme, TB HIV Care, Durban, South Africa
| | - S. Wilson Beckham
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Harry Hausler
- Department of Psychiatry, Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Stefan D. Baral
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Sheree R. Schwartz
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Rao A, Mhlophe H, Pretorius A, Mcingana M, Mcloughlin J, Shipp L, Baral S, Hausler H, Schwartz S, Lesko C. Effect of implementation strategies on pre-exposure prophylaxis persistence among female sex workers in South Africa: an interrupted time series study. Lancet HIV 2023; 10:e807-e815. [PMID: 38040479 PMCID: PMC10771038 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00262-x] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A disproportionate number of new HIV infections in South Africa are among female sex workers; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is freely available to female sex workers in the country, but unique barriers challenge PrEP persistence. TB HIV Care, a large South African non-profit organisation that provides daily oral PrEP (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine), has implemented multiple strategies to improve PrEP persistence. We aimed to evaluate the effect of different implementation strategies on PrEP persistence in a large-scale real-world setting. METHODS In this interrupted time series study, we estimated level changes in 1-month oral PrEP persistence associated with roll-out of various implementation strategies among female sex workers across nine districts in South Africa. We used routinely collected data from TB HIV Care programme files from June 7, 2016, to April 30, 2021. Poisson regression of 1-month persistence was used to assess the effect of these strategies. In secondary analyses, we tested the association between each of the strategies and 4-month persistence. FINDINGS The median 1-month PrEP persistence for female sex workers was 33% (IQR 27-40). SMS support and refill reminders were associated with an 11% relative increase in 1-month persistence (risk ratio [RR] 1·11, 95% CI 1·02-1·26) and clinical mentoring for PrEP providers was associated with a 127% relative increase (RR 2·27, 95% CI 1·94-2·66) among female sex workers. The loyalty rewards programme was negatively associated with 1-month persistence (RR 0·71, 95% CI 0·67-0·83). Although clinical mentoring improved 4-month persistence, SMS support text messages had no significant effect. INTERPRETATION Identification and subsequent use of clinical mentoring for PrEP providers and SMS support and refill reminders might improve the usefulness of PrEP overall to prevent new HIV infections among female sex workers. PrEP persistence remains an important issue, and strategies to build on our findings are needed. FUNDING National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Lillian Shipp
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Catherine Lesko
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Strauss M, Wademan DT, Mcinziba A, Hoddinott G, Rafique M, Jola LN, Streicher C, du Preez K, Osman M, Boffa J, Hausler H, Hesseling AC, Hirsch-Moverman Y. TB preventive therapy preferences among children and adolescents. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2023; 27:520-529. [PMID: 37353873 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.22.0645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: TB preventive therapy (TPT) is critical for ending TB, yet implementation remains poor. With new global guidelines expanding TPT eligibility and regimens, we aimed to understand TPT preferences among children, adolescents and caregivers.METHODS: We undertook a discrete choice experiment among 131 children, 170 adolescents and 173 caregivers, and conducted 17 in-depth interviews in 25 clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. The design included attributes for location, waiting time, treatment duration, dosing frequency, formulation/size, side effects, packaging and taste. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used for analysis.RESULTS: Among children and caregivers, the number and size of pills, taste and side effects were important drivers of preferences. Among adolescents and caregivers, clinic waiting times and side effects were significant drivers of preferences. Adolescents expressed concerns about being stigmatised, and preferred services from local clinics to services delivered in the community. Dosing frequency and treatment duration were only significant drivers of choice among adolescents, and only if linked to fewer clinic visits.CONCLUSIONS: Introducing shorter TPT regimens in isolation without consideration of preferences and health services may not have the desired effect on uptake and completion. Developing TPT delivery models and formulations that align with preferences must be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Strauss
- Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - D T Wademan
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A Mcinziba
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - G Hoddinott
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Rafique
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - L N Jola
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Streicher
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K du Preez
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Osman
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa, School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Education, Health and Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - J Boffa
- TB Think Tank, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa, Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - H Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa, Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - A C Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Martinson NA, Nonyane BAS, Genade LP, Berhanu RH, Naidoo P, Brey Z, Kinghorn A, Nyathi S, Young K, Hausler H, Connell L, Lutchminarain K, Swe Swe-Han K, Vreede H, Said M, von Knorring N, Moulton LH, Lebina L. Evaluating systematic targeted universal testing for tuberculosis in primary care clinics of South Africa: A cluster-randomized trial (The TUTT Trial). PLoS Med 2023; 20:e1004237. [PMID: 37216385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends systematic symptom screening for tuberculosis (TB). However, TB prevalence surveys suggest that this strategy does not identify millions of TB patients, globally. Undiagnosed or delayed diagnosis of TB contribute to TB transmission and exacerbate morbidity and mortality. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial of large urban and rural primary healthcare clinics in 3 provinces of South Africa to evaluate whether a novel intervention of targeted universal testing for TB (TUTT) in high-risk groups diagnosed more patients with TB per month compared to current standard of care (SoC) symptom-directed TB testing. METHODS AND FINDINGS Sixty-two clinics were randomized; with initiation of the intervention clinics over 6 months from March 2019. The study was prematurely stopped in March 2020 due to clinics restricting access to patients, and then a week later due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) national lockdown; by then, we had accrued a similar number of TB diagnoses to that of the power estimates and permanently stopped the trial. In intervention clinics, attendees living with HIV, those self-reporting a recent close contact with TB, or a prior episode of TB were all offered a sputum test for TB, irrespective of whether they reported symptoms of TB. We analyzed data abstracted from the national public sector laboratory database using Poisson regression models and compared the mean number of TB patients diagnosed per clinic per month between the study arms. Intervention clinics diagnosed 6,777 patients with TB, 20.7 patients with TB per clinic month (95% CI 16.7, 24.8) versus 6,750, 18.8 patients with TB per clinic month (95% CI 15.3, 22.2) in control clinics during study months. A direct comparison, adjusting for province and clinic TB case volume strata, did not show a significant difference in the number of TB cases between the 2 arms, incidence rate ratio (IRR) 1.14 (95% CI 0.94, 1.38, p = 0.46). However, prespecified difference-in-differences analyses showed that while the rate of TB diagnoses in control clinics decreased over time, intervention clinics had a 17% relative increase in TB patients diagnosed per month compared to the prior year, interaction IRR 1.17 (95% CI 1.14, 1.19, p < 0.001). Trial limitations were the premature stop due to COVID-19 lockdowns and the absence of between-arm comparisons of initiation and outcomes of TB treatment in those diagnosed with TB. CONCLUSIONS Our trial suggests that the implementation of TUTT in these 3 groups at extreme risk of TB identified more TB patients than SoC and could assist in reducing undiagnosed TB patients in settings of high TB prevalence. TRIAL REGISTRATION South African National Clinical Trials Registry DOH-27-092021-4901.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bareng A S Nonyane
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Leisha P Genade
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Rebecca H Berhanu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Pren Naidoo
- Public Health Management Consultant, South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Zameer Brey
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anthony Kinghorn
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Keeren Lutchminarain
- National Health Laboratory Service Department of Microbiology, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, eThekwini, South Africa
- University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Khine Swe Swe-Han
- National Health Laboratory Service Department of Microbiology, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, eThekwini, South Africa
- University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Helena Vreede
- National Health Laboratory Service, Chemical Pathology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Said
- National Health Laboratory Service, Microbiology and Academic Division, Tshwane, South Africa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Nina von Knorring
- National Health Laboratory Service, Clinical Microbiology, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Lawrence H Moulton
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
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Bhardwaj A, Comins CA, Guddera V, Mcingana M, Young K, Phetlhu R, Mulumba N, Mishra S, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Correction to: Prevalence of depression, syndemic factors and their impact on viral suppression among female sex workers living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:275. [PMID: 37208677 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02433-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anvita Bhardwaj
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rene Phetlhu
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
- University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
- Institute of Medical Science and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
| | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Bhardwaj A, Comins CA, Guddera V, Mcingana M, Young K, Phetlhu R, Mulumba N, Mishra S, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Prevalence of depression, syndemic factors and their impact on viral suppression among female sex workers living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa. BMC Womens Health 2023; 23:232. [PMID: 37147708 PMCID: PMC10161481 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02392-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Over half of female sex workers (FSW) in South Africa are living with HIV and clinical depression has been frequently documented among FSW. Data characterizing structural determinants of depression and the role of syndemic theory, synergistically interacting disease states, on viral suppression among FSW in South Africa are limited. METHODS Between July 2018-March 2020, non-pregnant, cisgender women (≥ 18 years), reporting sex work as their primary income source, and diagnosed with HIV for ≥ 6 months were enrolled into the Siyaphambili trial in eThekwini, South Africa. Using baseline data, robust Poisson regression models were used to assess correlates of depression and associations between depression and syndemic factors on viral suppression. RESULTS Of 1,384 participants, 459 (33%) screened positive for depression, defined as a score of ≥ 10 on the PHQ-9. Physical and sexual violence, drug use, alcohol use, anticipated stigma and internalized stigma were univariately associated with depression (all p's < 0.05) and included the multivariate model. In the multivariate regression, prevalence of depression was higher among participants experiencing sexual violence (PR = 1.47 95% CI:1.24,1.73), physical violence 5 times or more in < 6 months (PR = 1.38 95% CI:1.07, 1.80), using illicit drugs in the last month (PR = 1.23 95%:CI 1.04, 1.48), and reporting higher levels of internalized stigma (PR = 1.11, 95% CI:1.04,1.18). Depression in the absence of the Substance Abuse, Violence and AIDS SAVA syndemic factors was associated with increased prevalence of unsuppressed viral load (aPR 1.24; 95% CI:1.08,1.43), and the SAVA substance use and violence syndemic was associated with an increase in unsuppressed viral load among non-depressed FSW (aPR 1.13; 95% CI:1.01, 1.26). Compared to those experiencing neither factors, those jointly experiencing depression and the SAVA syndemics were at increased risk for unsuppressed viral load (aPR 1.15; 95% CI:1.02,1.28). CONCLUSION Substance use, violence, and stigma were all associated with depression. Depression and syndemic factors (substance use + violence) were related to unsuppressed viral load; we did not observe higher unsuppressed viral load amongst those experiencing both depression and syndemic factors. Our findings point to the need to understand the unmet mental health needs of FSW living with HIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Trial Number: NCT03500172.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anvita Bhardwaj
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rene Phetlhu
- TB HIV Care, Café Town, South Africa
- University of Western Cape, Café Town, South Africa
| | | | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
- Institute of Medical Science and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, USA
| | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Berhanu RH, Lebina L, Nonyane BAS, Milovanovic M, Kinghorn A, Connell L, Nyathi S, Young K, Hausler H, Naidoo P, Brey Z, Shearer K, Genade L, Martinson NA. Yield of Facility-based Targeted Universal Testing for Tuberculosis With Xpert and Mycobacterial Culture in High-Risk Groups Attending Primary Care Facilities in South Africa. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 76:1594-1603. [PMID: 36610730 PMCID: PMC10156124 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac965] [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: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We report the yield of targeted universal tuberculosis (TB) testing of clinic attendees in high-risk groups. METHODS Clinic attendees in primary healthcare facilities in South Africa with one of the following risk factors underwent sputum testing for TB: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), contact with a TB patient in the past year, and having had TB in the past 2 years. A single sample was collected for Xpert-Ultra (Xpert) and culture. We report the proportion positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Data were analyzed descriptively. The unadjusted clinical and demographic factors' relative risk of TB detected by culture or Xpert were calculated and concordance between Xpert and culture is described. RESULTS A total of 30 513 participants had a TB test result. Median age was 39 years, and 11 553 (38%) were men. The majority (n = 21734, 71%) had HIV, 12 492 (41%) reported close contact with a TB patient, and 1573 (5%) reported prior TB. Overall, 8.3% were positive for M. tuberculosis by culture and/or Xpert compared with 6.0% with trace-positive results excluded. In asymptomatic participants, the yield was 6.7% and 10.1% in symptomatic participants (with trace-positives excluded). Only 10% of trace-positive results were culture-positive. We found that 55% of clinic attendees with a sputum result positive for M. tuberculosis did not have a positive TB symptom screen. CONCLUSIONS A high proportion of clinic attendees with specific risk factors (HIV, close TB contact, history of TB) test positive for M. tuberculosis when universal testing is implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca H Berhanu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Limakatso Lebina
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | - Bareng A S Nonyane
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Minja Milovanovic
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | - Anthony Kinghorn
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Pren Naidoo
- Public Health Management Consultant, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zameer Brey
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation–South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kate Shearer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Centre for TB Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leisha Genade
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
| | - Neil A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of Witwatersrand, Soweto, South Africa
- Centre for TB Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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10
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Rao A, Lesko C, Mhlophe H, Rucinski K, Mcingana M, Pretorius A, Mcloughlin J, Baral S, Beyrer C, Hausler H, Schwartz S. Longitudinal patterns of initiation, persistence, and cycling on preexposure prophylaxis among female sex workers and adolescent girls and young women in South Africa. AIDS 2023; 37:977-986. [PMID: 36723509 PMCID: PMC10079574 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Female sex workers (FSW) and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) face a disproportionately high risk of HIV in South Africa. Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can avert new infections, but its effectiveness is linked to consistent use. Early discontinuation of PrEP in this population is high, but less is known about longitudinal patterns of PrEP use, including patterns of re-initiation and cycling. DESIGN Longitudinal descriptive analysis of routine program data. METHODS Between 2016 and 2021, 40 681 FSW and AGYW initiated PrEP at TB HIV Care, the largest PrEP provider to this population in South Africa and were included. Using survival analyses and group-based trajectory modeling, we described patterns of initiation, discontinuation, re-initiation, and cycling. RESULTS Total initiations increased over the life of the program for both FSW and AGYW. About 40% of FSW [0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.40-0.42]] and AGYW (0.38, 95% CI [0.37-0.38]) remained on PrEP at one month. FSW were more likely to restart PrEP, however <10% restarted PrEP within a year of initiation. Three latent trajectory groups of PrEP use were identified for FSW (low use, early cycling, and ongoing cycling) and two for AGYW (low use and ongoing cycling). Persistence was negatively associated with initiation among AGYW, but there was no clear relationship among FSW. Those initiating later in the program and older women had a reduced risk of discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS Persistence on PrEP was low, but cycling on and off PrEP was common, with early missed visits and inconsistent, but ongoing use. A push to increase PrEP initiations needs to factor in readiness and persistence support, to achieve public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine Lesko
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Katherine Rucinski
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Baloyi DP, Anthony MG, Meyerson KA, Mazibuko S, Wademan D, Viljoen L, Myburgh H, du Preez K, Osman M, Hirsch-Moverman Y, Charalambous S, Hausler H, Hesseling AC, Hoddinott G. Reasons for poor uptake of TB preventive therapy in South Africa. Public Health Action 2022; 12:159-164. [PMID: 36561901 PMCID: PMC9716815 DOI: 10.5588/pha.22.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa has one the highest TB and HIV burdens globally. TB preventive therapy (TPT) reduces the risk of TB disease and TB-related mortality in adults and children living with HIV and is indicated for use in TB-exposed HIV-negative individuals and children. TPT implementation in South Africa remains suboptimal. METHODS We conducted a pragmatic review of TPT implementation using multiple data sources, including informant interviews (n = 134), semi-structured observations (n = 93) and TB patient folder reviews in 31 health facilities purposively selected across three high TB burden provinces. We used case descriptive analysis and thematic coding to identify barriers and facilitators to TPT implementation. RESULTS TPT programme implementation was suboptimal, with inadequate monitoring even in health districts with well-functioning TB services. Health workers reported scepticism about TPT effectiveness, deprioritised TPT in practice and expressed divergent opinions about the cadres of staff responsible for implementation. Service- and facility-level barriers included ineffective contact tracing, resource shortages, lack of standardised reporting mechanisms and insufficient patient education on TPT. Patient-level barriers included socio-economic factors. CONCLUSIONS Improving TPT implementation will require radically simplified and more feasible systems and training for all cadres of health workers. Partnership with communities to stimulate demand driven service uptake can potentially facilitate implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. P. Baloyi
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - M. G. Anthony
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - K. A. Meyerson
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - S. Mazibuko
- Department of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - D. Wademan
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - L. Viljoen
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - H. Myburgh
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - K. du Preez
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - M. Osman
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
, School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Y. Hirsch-Moverman
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - A. C. Hesseling
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - G. Hoddinott
- Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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12
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Chen C, Baral S, Comins CA, Mcingana M, Wang L, Phetlhu DR, Mulumba N, Guddera V, Young K, Mishra S, Hausler H, Schwartz SR. HIV- and sex work-related stigmas and quality of life of female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:910. [PMID: 36474210 PMCID: PMC9724359 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07892-4] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental quality of life (QoL) assesses individually perceived factors such as physical safety and security, accessibility, quality of healthcare, and physical environment. These factors are particularly relevant in the context of sex work and HIV, where stigma has been identified as an important barrier across several prevention and treatment domains. This study aims to examine the association between different types of HIV- and sex work-related stigmas and environmental QoL among female sex workers (FSW) living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. METHODS We conducted cross-sectional analyses using baseline data from the Siyaphambili randomized controlled trial. FSW who reported sex work as their primary source of income and had been diagnosed with HIV for ≥ 6 months were enrolled from June 2018-March 2020, in eThekwini, South Africa. We evaluated the association between environmental QoL, dichotomizing the environmental domain score collected by the WHO Quality of Life HIV Brief (WHOQOL-HIV BREF) questionnaire at the median, and stigma using modified robust Poisson regression models. Five stigma subscales were assessed: sex work-related (anticipated, enacted, or internalized stigma) and HIV-related (anticipated or enacted stigma). RESULTS Among 1373 FSW, the median environmental QoL was 10.5 out of 20 [IQR: 9.0-12.5; range 4.0-19.0], while the median overall QoL was 3 out of 5 [IQR: 2-4; range 1-5]. One-third of FSW (n = 456) fell above the median environmental QoL score, while 67% were above the median overall QoL (n = 917). Reporting anticipated sex work stigma was associated with lower environmental QoL (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] 0.74 [95% CI 0.61, 0.90]), as was severe internalized sex work stigma (aPR: 0.64, 95% CI 0.48, 0.86). Reporting enacted HIV stigma versus none was similarly associated with lower environmental QoL (aPR: 0.65, 95% CI 0.49, 0.87). Enacted sex work stigma and anticipated HIV stigma were not statistically associated with environmental QoL. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the need to consider the impact of multiple stigmas on FSW's non-HIV related clinical outcomes, including safety and physical well-being. Moreover, these results suggest that addressing underlying structural risks may support the impact of more proximal HIV prevention and treatment interventions. Trial registration NCT03500172 (April 17, 2018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Chen
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, W3503, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, W3503, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Carly A. Comins
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, W3503, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Mfezi Mcingana
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Linwei Wang
- grid.415502.7MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Deliwe Rene Phetlhu
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa ,grid.8974.20000 0001 2156 8226University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ntambue Mulumba
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Vijay Guddera
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine Young
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- grid.415502.7MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Harry Hausler
- grid.438604.dTB HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sheree R. Schwartz
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St, W3503, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
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13
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Comins CA, Guddera V, Parmley LE, Young K, Mcingana M, Mulumba N, Mishra S, Phetlhu DR, Hausler H, Schwartz S, Baral S. Opportunities and considerations for the design of decentralized delivery of antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1166. [PMID: 36114501 PMCID: PMC9482230 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08506-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In South Africa, 60% of female sex workers (FSW) are living with HIV, many of whom experience structural and individual barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and adherence. Community-based decentralized treatment provision (DTP) may mitigate these barriers. To characterize optimal implementation strategies, we explored preferences for DTP among FSW living with HIV in Durban, South Africa.
Methods
Thirty-nine semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with FSW living with HIV (n = 24), and key informants (n = 15) including HIV program implementers, security personnel, and brothel managers. Participants were recruited using maximum variation and snowball sampling. Interviews were conducted in English or isiZulu between September–November 2017 and analyzed using grounded theory in Atlas.ti 8.
Results
DTP was described as an intervention that could address barriers to ART adherence and retention, minimizing transport costs, time and wage loss from clinic visits, and act as a safety net to address FSW mobility and clinic access challenges. Respondents highlighted contextual considerations for DTP and suggested that DTP should be venue-based, scheduled during less busy times and days, and integrate comprehensive health services including psychological, reproductive, and non-communicable disease services. ART packaging and storage were important for community-based delivery, and participants suggested DTP should be implemented by sex work sensitized staff with discrete uniform and vehicle branding.
Conclusions
Incorporating FSW preferences may support implementation optimization and requires balancing of tensions between preferences and feasibility. These data suggest the potential utility of DTP for FSW as a strategy to address those most marginalized from current ART programs in South Africa.
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14
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Mukora R, Smith HJ, Herce ME, Chimoyi L, Hausler H, Fielding KL, Charalambous S, Hoffmann CJ. Costs of implementing universal test and treat in three correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272595. [PMID: 36006967 PMCID: PMC9409581 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Universal test and treat (UTT) is a population-based strategy that aims to ensure widespread HIV testing and rapid antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all who have tested positive regardless of CD4 count to decrease HIV incidence and improve health outcomes. Little is known about the specific resources required to implement UTT in correctional facilities for incarcerated people. The primary aim of this study was to describe the resources used to implement UTT and to provide detailed costing to inform UTT scale-up in similar settings.
Methods
The costing study was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in three correctional complexes, Johannesburg Correctional Facility in Johannesburg (>4000 inmates) South Africa, and Brandvlei (~3000 inmates), South Africa and Lusaka Central (~1400 inmates), Zambia. Costing was determined through a survey conducted between September and December 2017 that identified materials and labour used for three separate components of UTT: HIV testing services (HTS), ART initiation, and ART maintenance. Our study participants were staff working in the correctional facilities involved in any activity related to UTT implementation. Unit costs were reported as cost per client served while total costs were reported for all clients seen over a 12-month period.
Results
The cost of HIV testing services (HTS) per client was $ 92.12 at Brandvlei, $ 73.82 at Johannesburg, and $ 65.15 at Lusaka. The largest cost driver for HIV testing at Brandvlei were staff costs at 55.6% of the total cost, while at Johannesburg (56.5%) and Lusaka (86.6%) supplies were the largest contributor. The cost per client initiated on ART was $917 for Brandvlei, $421.8 for Johannesburg, and $252.1 for Lusaka. The activity cost drivers were adherence counselling at Brandvlei (59%), and at Johannesburg and Lusaka it was the actual ART initiation at 75.6% and 75.8%, respectively. The annual unit cost for ART maintenance was $2,640.6 for Brandvlei, $710 for Johannesburg, and $385.5 for Lusaka. The activity cost drivers for all three facilities were side effect monitoring, and initiation of isoniazid preventive treatment (IPT), cotrimoxazole, and fluconazole, with this comprising 44.7% of the total cost at Brandvlei, 88.9% at Johannesburg, and 50.5% at Lusaka.
Conclusion
Given the needs of this population, the opportunity to reach inmates at high risk for HIV, and overall national and global 95-95-95 goals, the UTT policies for incarcerated individuals are of vital importance. Our findings provide comparator costing data and highlight key drivers of UTT cost by facility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Mukora
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Helene J. Smith
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- School of Public Health & Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael E. Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Lucy Chimoyi
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Katherine L. Fielding
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christopher J. Hoffmann
- The Aurum Institute, Aurum House, The Ridge, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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15
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Wang L, Dowdy DW, Comins CA, Young K, Mcingana M, Mulumba N, Mhlophe H, Chen C, Hausler H, Schwartz SR, Baral S, Mishra S. Health-related quality of life of female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa: a cross-sectional study. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e25884. [PMID: 35212470 PMCID: PMC8874880 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25884] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important HIV outcome beyond viral suppression. However, there are limited data characterizing HRQoL of key populations, including female sex workers (FSW) living with HIV. Methods We used baseline data (22 June 2018–23 March 2020) of FSW who were diagnosed with HIV and enrolled into a randomized trial in Durban, South Africa. HRQoL information was collected by a generic preference‐accompanied tool with five domains (EQ‐5D), and summarized into a single score (range 0–1), which represents health utility. We employed multivariable beta regression models to identify determinants of HRQoL and to estimate subgroup‐specific HRQoL score. Using external estimates of life expectancy and population size, we estimated the number of quality adjusted life years reduced among FSW living with HIV in South Africa associated with violence and drug use. Results Of 1,363 individuals (mean age: 32.4 years; mean HRQoL score: 0.857) in our analysis, 62.6% used drugs, 61.3% experienced physical or sexual violence and 64.6% self‐reported taking antiretroviral treatment (ART). The following were associated with a reduction in the average marginal HRQoL score: older age (per decade: 0.018 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.008, 0.027]), drug use (0.022 [0.007, 0.036]), experience of violence (0.024 [0.010, 0.038]) and moderate (vs. no) level of internalized stigma (0.023 [0.004, 0.041]). Current ART use was associated with a 0.015‐point (–0.001, 0.031) increase in the HRQoL score. The estimated mean (95% CI) HRQoL scores ranged from 0.838 (0.816, 0.860) for FSW who used drugs, experienced violence and were not on ART; to 0.899 (0.883, 0.916) for FSW who did not use drugs nor experience violence and were on ART. Our results can be translated into a reduction in 37,184 and 39,722 quality adjusted life years related to drug use and experience of violence, respectively, in South Africa. Conclusions These results demonstrate the association of ART with higher HRQoL among FSW and the need to further address structural risks, including drug use, violence and stigma. Population‐specific estimates of HRQoL score can be further used to calculate quality‐adjusted life years in economic evaluations of individual and structural interventions addressing the needs of FSW living with HIV. Clinical Trial Registration NCT03500172 (April 17, 2018).
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Affiliation(s)
- Linwei Wang
- MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David W Dowdy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Claire Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Sheree R Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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- MAP-Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
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16
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Rock A, Comins C, Mulumba N, Young K, Mcingana M, Guddera V, Hausler H, Phetlhu R, Baral S, Schwartz S. Antiretroviral Treatment Sharing among Female sex Workers Living with HIV in eThekwini (Durban), South Africa: Drivers and Implications for Treatment Success. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2022; 21:23259582221110820. [PMID: 35786210 PMCID: PMC9263844 DOI: 10.1177/23259582221110820] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In South Africa, 62% of female sex workers (FSW) are estimated to be living with HIV. Qualitative research indicates that FSW share antiretroviral therapy (ART) with peers to surmount treatment barriers. We quantitatively described ART sharing, its correlates, and its relationship with viral suppression (VS) among FSW living with HIV in eThekwini, South Africa. Among FSW on ART (n = 890), 30% ever shared (gave and/or received) ART. Sharing ART was more likely among those with higher levels of alcohol use, illicit drug use, depression severity, and physical/sexual violence in the adjusted model. There was a positive, dose-response relationship between number of pills given to peers in the last 30 days and VS likelihood (aPR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.08; p < 0.01). Giving pills may strengthen peer relationships, which may facilitate ART adherence. ART distribution through peer networks holds promise as a context-appropriate intervention for improving ART adherence among FSW in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Rock
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carly Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ntambue Mulumba
- Key Populations Programme, TB HIV Care, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Rene Phetlhu
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Nursing, 108325University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, 25802Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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17
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Chimoyi L, Smith H, Hausler H, Fielding K, Hoffmann CJ, Herce ME, Charalambous S. Delivery of TB preventive therapy to incarcerated people living with HIV in southern African correctional facilities. Public Health Action 2021; 11:171-173. [PMID: 34956843 DOI: 10.5588/pha.21.0056] [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: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
TB preventive treatment (TPT) is recommended for high-risk and hard-to-reach populations such as incarcerated people living with HIV (PLHIV). To assess implementation of TPT delivery in correctional settings, we conducted an exploratory analysis of data from a multisite cohort study in South Africa and Zambia. From 975 participants, 648 were screened for TB, and 409 initiated TPT mostly within a month after initiation of antiretroviral therapy (190/409, 46.5%). We observed a median gap of one month (IQR 0.6-4.7) in TPT delivery to incarcerated PLHIV. Future research should examine standardised quality improvement tools and new strategies such as short-course regimens to improve TPT initiation in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Chimoyi
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Smith
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.,School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - H Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - K Fielding
- London School of Tropical Hygiene & Medicine, London, UK
| | - C J Hoffmann
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M E Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia.,Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - S Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Chimoyi L, Hoffmann CJ, Hausler H, Ndini P, Rabothata I, Daniels-Felix D, Olivier AJ, Fielding K, Charalambous S, Chetty-Makkan CM. Correction: HIV-related stigma and uptake of antiretroviral treatment among incarcerated individuals living with HIV/AIDS in South African correctional settings: A mixed methods analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259616. [PMID: 34724005 PMCID: PMC8559938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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19
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Dheda K, Charalambous S, Karat AS, von Delft A, Lalloo UG, van Zyl Smit R, Perumal R, Allwood BW, Esmail A, Wong ML, Duse AG, Richards G, Feldman C, Mer M, Nyamande K, Lalla U, Koegelenberg CFN, Venter F, Dawood H, Adams S, Ntusi NAB, van der Westhuizen HM, Moosa MYS, Martinson NA, Moultrie H, Nel J, Hausler H, Preiser W, Lasersohn L, Zar HJ, Churchyard GJ. A position statement and practical guide to the use of particulate filtering facepiece respirators (N95, FFP2, or equivalent) for South African health workers exposed to respiratory pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Afr J Thorac Crit Care Med 2021; 27:10.7196/AJTCCM.2021.v27i4.173. [PMID: 34734176 PMCID: PMC8545268 DOI: 10.7196/ajtccm.2021.v27i4.173] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted mainly by aerosol in particles <10 µm that can remain suspended for hours before being inhaled. Because particulate filtering facepiece respirators ('respirators'; e.g. N95 masks) are more effective than surgical masks against bio-aerosols, many international organisations now recommend that health workers (HWs) wear a respirator when caring for individuals who may have COVID-19. In South Africa (SA), however, surgical masks are still recommended for the routine care of individuals with possible or confirmed COVID-19, with respirators reserved for so-called aerosol-generating procedures. In contrast, SA guidelines do recommend respirators for routine care of individuals with possible or confirmed tuberculosis (TB), which is also transmitted via aerosol. In health facilities in SA, distinguishing between TB and COVID-19 is challenging without examination and investigation, both of which may expose HWs to potentially infectious individuals. Symptom-based triage has limited utility in defining risk. Indeed, significant proportions of individuals with COVID-19 and/or pulmonary TB may not have symptoms and/or test negative. The prevalence of undiagnosed respiratory disease is therefore likely significant in many general clinical areas (e.g. waiting areas). Moreover, a proportion of HWs are HIV-positive and are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death. RECOMMENDATIONS Sustained improvements in infection prevention and control (IPC) require reorganisation of systems to prioritise HW and patient safety. While this will take time, it is unacceptable to leave HWs exposed until such changes are made. We propose that the SA health system adopts a target of 'zero harm', aiming to eliminate transmission of respiratory pathogens to all individuals in every healthcare setting. Accordingly, we recommend: the use of respirators by all staff (clinical and non-clinical) during activities that involve contact or sharing air in indoor spaces with individuals who: (i) have not yet been clinically evaluated; or (ii) are thought or known to have TB and/or COVID-19 or other potentially harmful respiratory infections;the use of respirators that meet national and international manufacturing standards;evaluation of all respirators, at the least, by qualitative fit testing; andthe use of respirators as part of a 'package of care' in line with international IPC recommendations. We recognise that this will be challenging, not least due to global and national shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). SA national policy around respiratory protective equipment enables a robust framework for manufacture and quality control and has been supported by local manufacturers and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. Respirator manufacturers should explore adaptations to improve comfort and reduce barriers to communication. Structural changes are needed urgently to improve the safety of health facilities: persistent advocacy and research around potential systems change remain essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Dheda
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for
the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of Immunology and Infection, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A S Karat
- TB Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - A von Delft
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- TB Proof, South Africa
| | - U G Lalloo
- Gateway Private Hospital Medical Centre, Umhlanga Ridge, South Africa
- Durban International Clinical Research Site, Durban, South Africa
| | - R van Zyl Smit
- Division of Pulmonology and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - R Perumal
- Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity, Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine and UCT Lung Institute and South African MRC/UCT Centre for
the Study of Antimicrobial Resistance, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - B W Allwood
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - A Esmail
- Clinical Trials Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, South Africa
| | - M L Wong
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - A G Duse
- Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology of the NHLS & University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - G Richards
- Department of Critical Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C Feldman
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - M Mer
- Department of Medicine, Divisions of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - K Nyamande
- Department of Pulmonology, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - U Lalla
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C F N Koegelenberg
- Division of Pulmonology, Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - F Venter
- Ezintsha, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Dawood
- Greys Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| | - S Adams
- Division of Occupational Medicine, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - N A B Ntusi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H-M van der Westhuizen
- TB Proof, South Africa
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - M-Y S Moosa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Southern African HIV Clinicians Society
| | - N A Martinson
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit (PHRU), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Johns Hopkins University Center for TB Research, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - H Moultrie
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - J Nel
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Hausler
- TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - W Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University and National Health Laboratory Service Tygerberg, Cape Town,
South Africa
| | - L Lasersohn
- South African Society of Anaesthesiologists
- Department of Anaesthesia, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Division of Critical Care, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H J Zar
- Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, Red Cross Children’s Hospital and SAMRC Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - G J Churchyard
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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20
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Rossouw J, Schwartz S, Rao A, Mcingana M, Young K, Hausler H, Baral S. Exploring the Association Between Depression and Social and Biobehavioral HIV Risk Factors Among Female Sex Workers in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2021; 37:666-675. [PMID: 33472528 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2020.0233] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression among female sex workers (FSW) in an urban coastal city in South Africa, and to explore the relationship between depression and HIV-related social and biobehavioral determinants. A cross-sectional respondent-driven sampling study was conducted with FSW (n = 410), including a sociobehavioral questionnaire, PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) based assessment of depression, and biological testing for HIV and syphilis. The prevalence of HIV in the sample was 64.1%. The estimated prevalence of depression was 28.8%. Depression was associated with social vulnerability such as living alone [adjusted prevalence ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15-2.90] and food insecurity (aPR 2.19, 95% CI 1.42-3.38). A positive syphilis test result (aPR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02-2.09) and self-reported sexually transmitted disease symptoms (aPR 1.78, 95% CI 1.29-2.46) was associated with depression, but self-reported condom use and HIV status was not. FSW were also less likely to disclose their occupational status to health care providers (aPR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.89) or undergo sexually transmitted infection screening in the last 12 months if they are depressed (aPR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.95). The results demonstrate that the prevalence of depression is high among FSW and that depressive symptoms are associated with social covariates and biobehavioral HIV risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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21
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Chimoyi L, Hoffmann CJ, Hausler H, Ndini P, Rabothata I, Daniels-Felix D, Olivier AJ, Fielding K, Charalambous S, Chetty-Makkan CM. HIV-related stigma and uptake of antiretroviral treatment among incarcerated individuals living with HIV/AIDS in South African correctional settings: A mixed methods analysis. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254975. [PMID: 34329311 PMCID: PMC8323907 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254975] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stigma affects engagement with HIV healthcare services. We investigated the prevalence and experience of stigma among incarcerated people living with HIV (PLHIV) in selected South African correctional settings during roll-out of universal test and treat. Methods A cross-sectional mixed-methods study design included 219 incarcerated PLHIV and 30 in-depth interviews were conducted with four different types of PLHIV. HIV-related stigma was assessed through survey self-reporting and during the interviews. A descriptive analysis of HIV-related stigma was presented, supplemented with a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts. Results ART uptake was high (n = 198, 90.4%) and most reported HIV-related stigma (n = 192, 87.7%). The intersectional stigma occurring due to individual and structural stigma around provision of healthcare in these settings mostly contributed to perceived stigma through involuntary disclosure of HIV status. Interpersonal and intrapersonal factors led to negative coping behaviours. However, positive self-coping strategies and relationships with staff encouraged sustained engagement in care. Conclusion We encourage continuous peer support to reduce stigmatization of those infected with HIV and whose status may be disclosed inadvertently in the universal test and treat era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Chimoyi
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- * E-mail:
| | - Christopher J. Hoffmann
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | - Pretty Ndini
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Israel Rabothata
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Katherine Fielding
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Salome Charalambous
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Candice M. Chetty-Makkan
- Implementation Research Division, The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
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22
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Prabdial‐Sing N, Gaelejwe L, Makhathini L, Thaver J, Manamela MJ, Malfeld S, Spearman CW, Sonderup M, Scheibe A, Young K, Hausler H, Puren AJ. The performance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody point-of-care tests on oral fluid or whole blood and dried blood spot testing for HCV serology and viral load among individuals at higher risk for HCV in South Africa. Health Sci Rep 2021; 4:e229. [PMID: 33614978 PMCID: PMC7876859 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.229] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS To enhance screening and diagnosis in those at-risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV), efficient and improved sampling and testing is required. We investigated the performance of point-of-care (POC) tests and dried blood spots (DBS) for HCV antibody and HCV RNA quantification in individuals at higher risk for HCV (people who use and inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men) in seven South African cities. METHODS Samples were screened on the OraQuick HCV POC test (471 whole blood and 218 oral fluid); 218 whole blood and DBS paired samples were evaluated on the ARCHITECT HCV antibody (Abbott) and HCV viral load (COBAS Ampliprep/COBAS TaqMan version 2) assays. For HCV RNA quantification, 107 dB were analyzed with and without normalization coefficients. RESULTS POC on either whole blood or oral fluid showed an overall sensitivity of 98.5% (95% CI 97.4-99.5), specificity of 98.2% (95% CI 98.8-100) and accuracy of 98.4% (95% CI 96.5-99.3). On the antibody immunoassay, DBS showed a sensitivity of 96.0% (95% CI 93.4-98.6), specificity of 97% (95% CI 94.8-99.3) and accuracy of 96.3% (95% CI 93.8-98.8). A strong correlation (R 2 = 0.90) between viral load measurements for DBS and plasma samples was observed. After normalization, DBS viral load results showed an improved bias from 0.5 to 0.16 log10 IU/mL. CONCLUSION The POC test performed sufficiently well to be used for HCV screening in at-risk populations. DBS for diagnosis and quantification was accurate and should be considered as an alternative sample to test. POC and DBS can help scale up hepatitis services in the country, in light of our elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishi Prabdial‐Sing
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Lucinda Gaelejwe
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Lillian Makhathini
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Jayendrie Thaver
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Morubula Jack Manamela
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Susan Malfeld
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - C. Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Mark Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Andrew Scheibe
- TB HIV CareCape TownSouth Africa
- Department of Family MedicineUniversity of PretoriaPretoriaSouth Africa
| | | | | | - Adrian J. Puren
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunologyNational Institute for Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
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23
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Stone J, Mukandavire C, Boily M, Fraser H, Mishra S, Schwartz S, Rao A, Looker KJ, Quaife M, Terris‐Prestholt F, Marr A, Lane T, Coetzee J, Gray G, Otwombe K, Milovanovic M, Hausler H, Young K, Mcingana M, Ncedani M, Puren A, Hunt G, Kose Z, Phaswana‐Mafuya N, Baral S, Vickerman P. Estimating the contribution of key populations towards HIV transmission in South Africa. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25650. [PMID: 33533115 PMCID: PMC7855076 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In generalized epidemic settings, there is insufficient understanding of how the unmet HIV prevention and treatment needs of key populations (KPs), such as female sex workers (FSWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM), contribute to HIV transmission. In such settings, it is typically assumed that HIV transmission is driven by the general population. We estimated the contribution of commercial sex, sex between men, and other heterosexual partnerships to HIV transmission in South Africa (SA). METHODS We developed the "Key-Pop Model"; a dynamic transmission model of HIV among FSWs, their clients, MSM, and the broader population in SA. The model was parameterized and calibrated using demographic, behavioural and epidemiological data from national household surveys and KP surveys. We estimated the contribution of commercial sex, sex between men and sex among heterosexual partnerships of different sub-groups to HIV transmission over 2010 to 2019. We also estimated the efficiency (HIV infections averted per person-year of intervention) and prevented fraction (% IA) over 10-years from scaling-up ART (to 81% coverage) in different sub-populations from 2020. RESULTS Sex between FSWs and their paying clients, and between clients with their non-paying partners contributed 6.9% (95% credibility interval 4.5% to 9.3%) and 41.9% (35.1% to 53.2%) of new HIV infections in SA over 2010 to 2019 respectively. Sex between low-risk groups contributed 59.7% (47.6% to 68.5%), sex between men contributed 5.3% (2.3% to 14.1%) and sex between MSM and their female partners contributed 3.7% (1.6% to 9.8%). Going forward, the largest population-level impact on HIV transmission can be achieved from scaling up ART to clients of FSWs (% IA = 18.2% (14.0% to 24.4%) or low-risk individuals (% IA = 20.6% (14.7 to 27.5) over 2020 to 2030), with ART scale-up among KPs being most efficient. CONCLUSIONS Clients of FSWs play a fundamental role in HIV transmission in SA. Addressing the HIV prevention and treatment needs of KPs in generalized HIV epidemics is central to a comprehensive HIV response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Stone
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Christinah Mukandavire
- Department of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Marie‐Claude Boily
- Department of Infectious Disease EpidemiologyImperial CollegeLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Hannah Fraser
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Amrita Rao
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | | | - Matthew Quaife
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Alexander Marr
- University of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Tim Lane
- Equal InternationalWashingtonDCUSA
| | - Jenny Coetzee
- Perinatal HIV Research UnitFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research CouncilCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Glenda Gray
- South African Medical Research CouncilCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kennedy Otwombe
- Perinatal HIV Research UnitFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Minja Milovanovic
- Perinatal HIV Research UnitFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Adrian Puren
- National Institute of Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Gillian Hunt
- National Institute of Communicable DiseasesJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Zamakayise Kose
- Research and Innovation OfficeNorth West UniversityPotchefstroomSouth Africa
| | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of EpidemiologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
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24
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Scheibe A, Young K, Versfeld A, Spearman CW, Sonderup MW, Prabdial-Sing N, Puren A, Hausler H. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV prevalence and related sexual and substance use risk practices among key populations who access HIV prevention, treatment and related services in South Africa: findings from a seven-city cross-sectional survey (2017). BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:655. [PMID: 32894072 PMCID: PMC7475946 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05359-y] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background People who use drugs including people who inject drugs (PWUD/ID), sex workers (SWs) and men who have sex with men (MSM) are at increased risk of HIV and viral hepatitis infection. Limited epidemiological data on the infections exists in key populations (KPs) in South Africa. We investigated the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV and selected risk factors among these KPs to inform effective responses. Methods We used convenience sampling to recruit a targeted 3500 KPs accessing HIV-related health services across Cape Town (SWs, MSM, PWUD/ID), Durban (SWs, PWUD/ID), Pietermaritzburg (SWs), Mthatha (SWs), Port Elizabeth (SWs), Johannesburg (MSM) and Pretoria (MSM and PWUD/ID) into a cross-sectional survey. An interviewer questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics, drug use and sexual risk practices, was administered. HBV surface antigen (HBsAg); HCV antibody, viral load and genotype, and HIV antibody, was tested. Results Among the 3439 people included in the study (1528 SWs, 746 MSM, 1165 PWUD/ID) the median age was 29 years, most participants were black African (60%), and 24% reported homelessness. 82% reported substance use in the last month, including alcohol (46%) and heroin (33%). 75% were sexually active in the previous month, with condom use at last sex at 74%. HIV prevalence was 37% (highest among SWs at 47%), HBsAg prevalence 4% (similar across KPs) and HCV prevalence was 16% (highest among PWUD/ID at 46%). Conclusions HBV, HCV and HIV pose a health burden for KPs in South Africa. While HIV is key for all included KPs, HCV is of particular importance to PWUD/ID. For KPs, HBV vaccination and behavioural change interventions that support consistent condom and lubricant access and use are needed. Coverage of opioid substitution therapy and needle and syringe services, and access to HCV treatment for PWUD/ID need to be expanded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Scheibe
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | | | - Anna Versfeld
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa.,University of Cape Town, Anthropology Section, School of African and Gender studies, Anthropology and Linguistics, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark W Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nishi Prabdial-Sing
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adrian Puren
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
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Comins CA, Schwartz SR, Young K, Mishra S, Guddera V, Mcingana M, Phetlhu DR, Hausler H, Baral S. Contextualising the lived experience of sex workers living with HIV in South Africa: a call for a human-centred response to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Sex Reprod Health Matters 2020; 27:1686200. [PMID: 31749416 PMCID: PMC6980753 DOI: 10.1080/26410397.2019.1686200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Comins
- Senior Research Program Coordinator/Data Analyst, Department of Epidemiology - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sheree R Schwartz
- Assistant Scientist, Department of Epidemiology - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Katherine Young
- Strategic Information and Research Advisor. TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada.,Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Mfezi Mcingana
- Key Populations Program Manager, TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Deliwe R Phetlhu
- Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- Chief Executive Officer, TB HIV Care, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Baral
- Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology - Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Herce ME, Hoffmann CJ, Fielding K, Topp SM, Hausler H, Chimoyi L, Smith HJ, Chetty-Makkan CM, Mukora R, Tlali M, Olivier AJ, Muyoyeta M, Reid SE, Charalambous S. Universal test-and-treat in Zambian and South African correctional facilities: a multisite prospective cohort study. Lancet HIV 2020; 7:e807-e816. [PMID: 32763152 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(20)30188-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART), incarcerated people have not benefited equally from test-and-treat recommendations for HIV. To improve access to ART for incarcerated people with HIV, we introduced a universal test-and-treat (UTT) intervention in correctional facilities in South Africa and Zambia, and aimed to assess UTT feasibility and clinical outcomes. METHODS Treatment as Prevention (TasP) was a multisite, mixed methods, implementation research study done at three correctional complexes in South Africa (Johnannesburg and Breede River) and Zambia (Lusaka). Here, we report the clinical outcomes for a prospective cohort of incarcerated individuals who were offered the TasP UTT intervention. Incarcerated individuals were eligible for inclusion if they were aged 18 years or older, with new or previously diagnosed HIV, not yet on ART, and were expected to remain incarcerated for 30 days or longer. To enable the implementation of UTT at the included correctional facilities, we first strengthened on-site HIV service delivery. All participants were offered same-day ART initiation, and had two study-specific follow-up visits scheduled to coincide with routine clinic visits at 6 and 12 months. The main outcomes were ART uptake, time from cohort enrolment to ART initiation, and retention in care and viral suppression at 6 and 12 months. We estimated the association between baseline demographic characteristics and time to ART initiation using Cox proportional hazard models, and, in a post-hoc analysis, we used logistic regression models to assess the association between demographic and clinical variables, including time to ART initiation, and the proportion of participants with a composite poor outcome (defined as viral load >50 copies per mL, or for participants with a missing viral load, lack of retention in care in the on-site ART programme) at 6 months. This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02946762. FINDINGS Between June 23, 2016, and Dec 31, 2017, we identified 1562 incarcerated people with HIV, of whom 1389 (89%) were screened, 1021 (74%) met eligibility criteria, and 975 (95%) were enrolled and followed up to March 31, 2018. At the end of follow-up, 835 (86%) of 975 participants had started ART. Median time from enrolment to ART initiation was 0 days (IQR 0-8). Of 346 participants who remained incarcerated at 6 months, 327 (95%) were retained in care and 269 (78%) had a documented viral load, of whom 262 (97%) achieved viral suppression (<1000 copies per mL). The mortality rate among the 835 participants who had initiated ART was 1·9 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0·9-3·9). No statistically significant associations were identified between any baseline characteristics and time to ART initiation or composite poor outcome. INTERPRETATION UTT implementation is feasible in correctional settings, and can achieve levels of same-day ART uptake, retention in care, and viral suppression among incarcerated people with HIV that are comparable to those observed in community settings. FUNDING UK Department for International Development, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia; Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA; The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Helene J Smith
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Candice M Chetty-Makkan
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Mpho Tlali
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Monde Muyoyeta
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Stewart E Reid
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Knight J, Baral SD, Schwartz S, Wang L, Ma H, Young K, Hausler H, Mishra S. Contribution of high risk groups' unmet needs may be underestimated in epidemic models without risk turnover: A mechanistic modelling analysis. Infect Dis Model 2020; 5:549-562. [PMID: 32913937 PMCID: PMC7452422 DOI: 10.1016/j.idm.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemic models of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are often used to characterize the contribution of risk groups to overall transmission by projecting the transmission population attributable fraction (tPAF) of unmet prevention and treatment needs within risk groups. However, evidence suggests that STI risk is dynamic over an individual’s sexual life course, which manifests as turnover between risk groups. We sought to examine the mechanisms by which turnover influences modelled projections of the tPAF of high risk groups. Methods We developed a unifying, data-guided framework to simulate risk group turnover in deterministic, compartmental transmission models. We applied the framework to an illustrative model of an STI and examined the mechanisms by which risk group turnover influenced equilibrium prevalence across risk groups. We then fit a model with and without turnover to the same risk-stratified STI prevalence targets and compared the inferred level of risk heterogeneity and tPAF of the highest risk group projected by the two models. Results The influence of turnover on group-specific prevalence was mediated by three main phenomena: movement of previously high risk individuals with the infection into lower risk groups; changes to herd effect in the highest risk group; and changes in the number of partnerships where transmission can occur. Faster turnover led to a smaller ratio of STI prevalence between the highest and lowest risk groups. Compared to the fitted model without turnover, the fitted model with turnover inferred greater risk heterogeneity and consistently projected a larger tPAF of the highest risk group over time. Implications If turnover is not captured in epidemic models, the projected contribution of high risk groups, and thus, the potential impact of prioritizing interventions to address their needs, could be underestimated. To aid the next generation of tPAF models, data collection efforts to parameterize risk group turnover should be prioritized. A new framework for parameterizing turnover in risk groups is developed. Mechanisms by which turnover influences sexually transmitted infection (STI), prevalence in risk groups are examined. Turnover reduces the ratio of equilibrium STI prevalence in high vs low risk groups. Inferred risk heterogeneity is higher when fitting transmission models with turnover. Ignoring turnover in risk could underestimate the transmission population attributable fraction (tPAF), of high risk groups to the overall epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Knight
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Canada
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Deptartment of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Deptartment of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA
| | - Linwei Wang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Canada
| | - Huiting Ma
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Sharmistha Mishra
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Canada.,Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Canada.,Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada
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Scheibe A, Shelly S, Gerardy T, von Homeyer Z, Schneider A, Padayachee K, Naidoo SB, Mtshweni K, Matau A, Hausler H, Marks M. Six-month retention and changes in quality of life and substance use from a low-threshold methadone maintenance therapy programme in Durban, South Africa. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2020; 15:13. [PMID: 32085807 PMCID: PMC7035721 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-020-00186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging data points to a potential heroin use epidemic in South Africa. Despite this, access to methadone maintenance therapy and other evidence-based treatment options remains negligible. We aimed to assess retention, changes in substance use and quality of life after 6 months on methadone maintenance therapy provided through a low-threshold service in Durban, South Africa. METHODS We enrolled a cohort of 54 people with an opioid use disorder into the study. We reviewed and described baseline socio-demographic characteristics. Baseline and 6-month substance use was assessed using the World Health Organization's Alcohol Smoking and Substance Use Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and quality of life, using the SF-12. We compared changes at 6 months on methadone to baseline using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired-tests for the ASSIST and SF-12 scores, respectively. McNemar's test was used for comparisons between paired results of categorical variables relating to injecting frequency. RESULTS The majority of the participants were young, Black African males, with a history of drug use spanning over 10 years. Retention after 6 months was 81%. After 6 months, the median heroin ASSIST score decreased from 37 to 9 (p < 0.0001) and the cannabis ASSIST score increased from 12.5 to 21 (p = 0.0003). The median mental health composite score of the SF-12 increased from 41.4 to 48.7 (p = 0.0254). CONCLUSIONS Interim findings suggest high retention, significant reductions in heroin use and improvements in mental health among participants retained on methadone maintenance therapy for 6 months. Further research into longer term outcomes and the reasons contributing to these changes would strengthen recommendations for the scale-up of methadone maintenance therapy in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Scheibe
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
- Urban Futures Centre, Steve Biko Campus, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Shaun Shelly
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Tara Gerardy
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Zara von Homeyer
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrea Schneider
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | - Klaas Mtshweni
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ayanda Matau
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, 7th Floor, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Monique Marks
- Urban Futures Centre, Steve Biko Campus, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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Parmley LE, Comins CA, Young K, Mcingana M, Phetlhu DR, Guddera V, Mkhize H, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Occupational barriers to accessing and adhering to antiretroviral therapy for female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa. Occup Environ Med 2020; 77:100-106. [PMID: 31911541 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2019-105947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES While female sex workers (FSW) are nearly 14 times more likely to be living with HIV than non-FSW, less than 40% of FSW living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We sought to understand how the work environment influences ART access and adherence for FSW in preparation for the Siyaphambili trial. METHODS FSW living with HIV (n=24) and key informants (n=15) were recruited to participate in semistructured in-depth interviews using maximum variation and snowball sampling, respectively. FSW were recruited on key variants including type of sex work venue, primary work time and history of ART use. Data were collected between September and November 2017 in Durban, South Africa. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated. Data were then coded applying grounded theory in Atlas.ti. RESULTS FSW experienced occupational barriers to adherence including work-related migration, substance use and theft of ART on the job. Fear of wage loss due to HIV disclosure to clients and brothel managers prevented some FSW from accessing ART at their clinic and taking medications while working. FSW employed coping strategies to overcome barriers including sharing ART with colleagues, carrying small supplies of ART and visiting the clinic prior to appointments for ART refills. Further, some FSW received adherence support from colleagues who were also living with HIV. CONCLUSIONS Considering these occupational pressures on FSW and supporting positive coping strategies are important when designing and implementing HIV treatment programmes. Findings suggest strengthening social cohesion and supporting differentiated care efforts to improve HIV outcomes among FSW living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Parmley
- ICAP, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA .,Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | | | | | - Vijay Guddera
- Key Populations Programme, TB HIV Care, Durban, South Africa
| | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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30
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You WX, Comins CA, Jarrett BA, Young K, Guddera V, Phetlhu DR, Mulumba N, Mcingana M, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Facilitators and barriers to incorporating digital technologies into HIV care among cisgender female sex workers living with HIV in South Africa. Mhealth 2020; 6:15. [PMID: 32270007 PMCID: PMC7136657 DOI: 10.21037/mhealth.2019.12.07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An estimated 44-69% of female sex workers (FSW) in South Africa are living with HIV, among whom 39% are virally suppressed. Digital technologies-increasingly advanced and accessible to marginalized populations-present new opportunities to improve the HIV care continuum. The objective of this study was to explore potential facilitators and barriers to incorporating mobile phones and advanced technologies (e.g., biometric identification methods, mobile phone applications for social media and other uses, and chatbots) to deliver HIV-related interventions to cisgender FSW living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. METHODS Four semi-structured, focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 22 cisgender FSWs in December 2018. Participants were recruited from the ongoing Siyaphambili trial using maximum variation sampling to optimize diversity in participant age and sex work venue. FGDs were audio recorded in isiZulu, and translated and transcribed into English. Transcripts were inductively coded using thematic analysis and sub-themes were iteratively refined to connect and evaluate the saliency of codes. RESULTS Phone ownership was motivated by a desire to remain safe and to connect with family, peers, and clients. When FSW did not have access to a mobile phone, they reported sharing phones with their peers, though sharing only occurred under specific conditions. Still, to integrate mobile phones into HIV care, FSW identified consistent access to mobile phones as a key barrier. Mobile phone turnover due to frequent selling of phones to meet other financial priorities, substance use, and theft were common. To integrate advanced technologies into HIV care, FSW identified convenience, security, and additional opportunities for social support as the main facilitators. For example, FSW described how biometric identification at clinics could eliminate the need to retain a clinic card. FSW also described how chatbots could easily set medication alarms or be available to assist in emergencies. Barriers for advanced technologies included maintaining privacy, potential threats to security, and cost. CONCLUSIONS FSWs were receptive to digital technologies for HIV care and beyond, but they also described many barriers such as inconsistent phone ownership and threats to privacy. As phone ownership grows and HIV programs increasingly leverage digital tools, strong considerations are needed to ensure the most vulnerable are not systematically excluded.
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Affiliation(s)
- William X. You
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, USA
| | - Carly A. Comins
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, USA
| | - Brooke A. Jarrett
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, USA
| | | | | | - Deliwe R. Phetlhu
- University of Western Cape, School of Nursing, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Baral
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Baltimore, USA
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Topp SM, Chetty-Makkan CM, Smith HJ, Chimoyi L, Hoffmann CJ, Fielding K, Reid SE, Olivier AJ, Hausler H, Herce ME, Charalambous S. "It's Not Like Taking Chocolates": Factors Influencing the Feasibility and Sustainability of Universal Test and Treat in Correctional Health Systems in Zambia and South Africa. Glob Health Sci Pract 2019; 7:189-202. [PMID: 31249019 PMCID: PMC6641809 DOI: 10.9745/ghsp-d-19-00051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sub-Saharan African correctional facilities concentrate large numbers of people who are living with HIV or at risk for HIV infection. Universal test and treat (UTT) is widely recognized as a promising approach to improve the health of individuals and a population health strategy to reduce new HIV infections. In this study, we explored the feasibility and sustainability of implementing UTT in correctional facilities in Zambia and South Africa. METHODS Nested within a UTT implementation research study, our qualitative evaluation of feasibility and sustainability used a case-comparison design based on data from 1 Zambian and 3 South African correctional facilities. Primary data from in-depth interviews with incarcerated individuals, correctional managers, health care providers, and policy makers were supplemented by public policy documents, study documentation, and implementation memos in both countries. Thematic analysis was informed by an empirically established conceptual framework for health system analysis. RESULTS Despite different institutional profiles, we were able to successfully introduce UTT in the South Africa and Zambian correctional facilities participating in the study. A supportive policy backdrop was important to UTT implementation and establishment in both countries. However, sustainability of UTT, defined as relevant government departments' capacity to independently plan, resource, and administer quality UTT, differed. South Africa's correctional facilities had existing systems to deliver and monitor chronic HIV care and treatment, forming a "scaffolding" for sustained UTT despite some human resources shortages and poorly integrated health information systems. Notwithstanding recent improvements, Zambia's correctional health system demonstrated insufficient material and technical capacity to independently deliver quality UTT. In the correctional facilities of both countries, inmate population dynamics and their impact on HIV-related stigma were important factors in UTT service uptake. CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate the critical role of policy directives, health service delivery systems, adequate resourcing, and population dynamics on the feasibility and likely sustainability of UTT in corrections in Zambia and South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia. .,Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Helene J Smith
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | - Stewart E Reid
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | - Michael E Herce
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), Lusaka, Zambia.,Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Salome Charalambous
- The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Parmley L, Rao A, Kose Z, Lambert A, Max R, Phaswana-Mafuya N, Mcingana M, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Antenatal care presentation and engagement in the context of sex work: exploring barriers to care for sex worker mothers in South Africa. Reprod Health 2019; 16:63. [PMID: 31138313 PMCID: PMC6538548 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-019-0716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Late presentation combined with limited engagement in antenatal care (ANC) increases risk of vertical transmission among mothers living with HIV. Female sex workers (FSW) have more than four times greater burden of HIV than other women of reproductive age in South Africa and the majority of FSW are mothers. For mothers who sell sex and are at increased HIV acquisition risk, timely and routine ANC seeking is especially vital for prevention of vertical transmission. This study represents a mixed-methods study with FSW in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, to characterize factors influencing ANC seeking behaviors in a high HIV prevalence context. Methods FSW (n = 410) were recruited into a cross-sectional study through respondent-driven sampling between October 2014 and April 2015 and tested for HIV and pregnancy. A sub-sample of pregnant and postpartum women (n = 30) were invited to participate in in-depth interviews (IDIs) to explore their current or most recent pregnancy experiences. IDIs were coded using a modified grounded theory approach and descriptive analyses assessed the frequency of themes explored in the qualitative analysis among the quantitative sample. Results In the quantitative survey, 77% of FSW were mothers (313/410); of these, two-thirds were living with HIV (212/313) and 40% reported being on antiretroviral therapy (ART) (84/212). FSW in the qualitative sub-sample reported unintended pregnancies with clients due to inconsistent contraceptive use; many reported discovering their unintended pregnancies between 4 and 7 months of gestation. FSW attributed delayed ANC seeking and ART initiation in the second or third trimesters to late pregnancy detection. Other factors limiting engagement in ANC included substance and alcohol use and discontent with previous healthcare-related experiences. Conclusions Late pregnancy discovery, primarily because pregnancies were unplanned, contributed to late ANC presentation and delayed ART initiation, increasing risks of vertical HIV transmission. Given limited ART coverage among participants, addressing the broader sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of mothers who sell sex has important implications for preventing vertical transmission of HIV. Integrating comprehensive family planning services into FSW programming, as well as providing active linkage to ANC services may reduce barriers to accessing timely ANC, decreasing risks of vertical transmission. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12978-019-0716-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Parmley
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Zamakayise Kose
- Human Sciences Research Council, 1st Floor Office 103 Fairview Office Park Greenacres, Port Elizabeth, 6057, South Africa
| | - Andy Lambert
- TB/HIV Care, 25 St Georges Mall, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Ryan Max
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya
- Human Sciences Research Council, 1st Floor Office 103 Fairview Office Park Greenacres, Port Elizabeth, 6057, South Africa
| | - Mfezi Mcingana
- TB/HIV Care, Office 207 A.A. House, Corner Rink & Park Drive, Central, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB/HIV Care, 25 St Georges Mall, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Twahirwa Rwema JO, Baral S, Ketende S, Phaswana-Mafuya N, Lambert A, Kose Z, Mcingana M, Rao A, Hausler H, Schwartz S. Evaluating the vertical HIV transmission risks among South African female sex workers; have we forgotten PMTCT in their HIV programming? BMC Public Health 2019; 19:605. [PMID: 31138154 PMCID: PMC6538543 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-6811-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Female sex workers (FSW) have a greater HIV burden compared to other reproductive-aged women and experience high incidence of pregnancies. However, there are limited data on mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the context of sex work. This study assessed the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services to understand the vertical HIV transmission risks among FSW in South Africa. Methods FSW ≥18 years were recruited into a cross-sectional study using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) between October 2014–April 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. An interviewer-administered questionnaire captured information on demographics, reproductive health histories, and HIV care, including engagement in PMTCT care and ART. HIV and pregnancy testing were biologically assessed. This analysis characterizes FSW engagement in HIV prevention and treatment cascades of the four prongs of PMTCT. Results Overall, 410 FSW were enrolled. The RDS-weighted HIV prevalence was 61.5% (95% bootstrapped confidence interval 54.1–68.0). A comprehensive assessment of the four PMTCT prongs showed gaps in cascades for each of the prongs. In Prongs 1 and 2, gaps of 42% in consistent condom use with clients among HIV-negative FSW and 43% in long-term high efficacy contraceptive method use among HIV-positive FSW were observed. The analyses for prongs three and four pertained to 192 women with children < 5 years; 101/192 knew their HIV diagnosis prior to the study, of whom 85% (86/101) had their children tested for HIV after birth, but only 36% (31/86) of those who breastfed retested their children post-breastfeeding. A substantial proportion (35%, 42/120) of all HIV-positive women with children < 5 years of age were HIV-negative at their last delivery and seroconverted after delivery. Less than half (45%) of mothers with children < 5 years (45/101) were on ART and 12% (12/101) reported at least one child under five living with HIV. Conclusion These findings show significant gaps in engagement in the PMTCT cascades for FSW, evidenced by sub-optimal uptake of HIV prevention and treatment in the peri/post-natal periods and insufficient prevention of unintended pregnancies among FSW living with HIV. These gaps result in elevated risks for vertical transmission among FSW and the need for PMTCT services within FSW programs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-019-6811-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Olivier Twahirwa Rwema
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sosthenes Ketende
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya
- The Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | | | - Zamakayise Kose
- The Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Mfezi Mcingana
- The TB/HIV Care Association, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Amrita Rao
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Harry Hausler
- The TB/HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Key Populations Program, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Parmley L, Rao A, Young K, Kose Z, Phaswana-Mafuya N, Mcingana M, Lambert A, Hausler H, Baral S, Schwartz S. Female Sex Workers' Experiences Selling Sex during Pregnancy and Post-Delivery in South Africa. Stud Fam Plann 2019; 50:201-217. [PMID: 30997677 DOI: 10.1111/sifp.12090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 75 percent of female sex workers (FSWs) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa are mothers, many of whom engage in sex work during pregnancy or after delivery. We conducted in-depth interviews with 22 postpartum and 8 pregnant FSWs in Port Elizabeth. Interview guides were used to probe women's experiences, challenges, and concerns about selling sex during pregnancy and post-delivery in a high-HIV-prevalence context. Interviews were transcribed, translated, and coded using thematic analysis. FSWs experienced and feared violence by clients during pregnancy, highlighting the need for safe work environments. Further, FSWs expressed concerns about HIV acquisition and vertical transmission during the perinatal period. Physical challenges related to pregnancy affected women's ability to work. Returning to work post-delivery presented barriers to initiating and practicing exclusive breastfeeding. As a result, many FSWs practiced mixed feeding. Interventions, tailored to respond to FSW's challenges and experiences, may offer improved health outcomes in this context.
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Scheibe A, Young K, Moses L, Basson RL, Versfeld A, Spearman CW, Sonderup MW, Prabdial-Sing N, Manamela J, Puren AJ, Rebe K, Hausler H. Understanding hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV among people who inject drugs in South Africa: findings from a three-city cross-sectional survey. Harm Reduct J 2019; 16:28. [PMID: 30975139 PMCID: PMC6460775 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-019-0298-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk for hepatitis C (HCV), hepatitis B (HBV) and HIV without accessible harm reduction programmes. Coverage of needle and syringe and opioid substitution therapy (OST) services in South Africa is below global recommendations and no hepatitis services exist for PWID. We assessed HCV, HBV and HIV prevalence and risk factors among PWID accessing harm reduction services in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria to inform policy and programming. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey among PWID in these cities between August 2016 and October 2017. Participants were opportunistically sampled while accessing services. Study team members administered a questionnaire that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, drug use and sexual risk practices. We tested for HCV (antibody, viral load and genotype), HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) and HIV. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed associations with HCV serostatus. RESULTS Nine hundred and forty-three PWID were included in the per protocol analysis. The majority (87%, 819/943) were male, the overall median age was 29 and most lived on the street (66%, 626/943). At last injection, 77% (722/943) reported using a new needle and syringe and 17% (163/943) shared equipment. HIV prevalence was 21% (196/926), HBsAg positivity 5% (47/936), HCV seroprevalence 55% (513/937), HCV viraemic prevalence (proportion tested with detectable HCV) 43% (404/937) and HCV viraemic rate (proportion HCV antibody positive with detectable HCV) 79% (404/513). HCV genotype 1a (73%, 270/368) was the most prevalent. In multivariate analysis, HCV infection was positively associated with residing in Pretoria (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.27, 95% CI 1.21-1.34), living on the street (aOR 1.90, 95% CI 1.38-2.60), frequent injecting (aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15-2.16) and HIV infection (aOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.15-2.47), and negatively associated with black race (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.36-0.74) and sexual activity in the previous month (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.88). CONCLUSIONS HCV and HIV are major health threats affecting PWID in these cities. Access to OST and needle and syringe services needs to be increased and integrated with HCV services. Social and structural factors affecting PWID who live on the street need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Scheibe
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | | | - Lorraine Moses
- IQVIA South Africa, CX Building 1021 Lenchen Ave North, Centurion, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Anna Versfeld
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Wendy Spearman
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mark W Sonderup
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nishi Prabdial-Sing
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Jack Manamela
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Adrian J Puren
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Kevin Rebe
- Division of Virology, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Anova Health Institute, 12 Sherborne Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB HIV Care, 11 Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa
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Comins CA, Schwartz SR, Phetlhu DR, Guddera V, Young K, Farley JE, West N, Parmley L, Geng E, Beyrer C, Dowdy D, Mishra S, Hausler H, Baral S. Siyaphambili protocol: An evaluation of randomized, nurse-led adaptive HIV treatment interventions for cisgender female sex workers living with HIV in Durban, South Africa. Res Nurs Health 2019; 42:107-118. [PMID: 30644999 DOI: 10.1002/nur.21928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [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: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
In South Africa, 60% of female sex workers are estimated to be living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Many of these women face structural and individual-level barriers to initiating, accessing, and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART). While data are limited, it is estimated that less than 40% of sex workers living with HIV achieve viral suppression, leading to suboptimal clinical outcomes and sustained risks of onward sexual and vertical HIV transmission. Siyaphambili, a NINR/NIH-funded study, focuses on studying optimal implementation strategies for meeting HIV treatment needs among cisgender female sex workers living with HIV who are not virally suppressed. Here, we present the study protocol of this sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. In total, 800 viremic female sex workers will be enrolled into an 18-month adaptive implementation study to 1) compare the effectiveness and durability of a nurse-led decentralized ART treatment program versus an individualized case management approach, in isolation or in combination to achieve viral suppression and 2) estimate incremental cost-effectiveness of interventions and combinations of interventions. The primary outcome is a combined intention-to-treat outcome of retention in ART care and viral suppression at 18 months with secondary implementation outcomes. Siyaphambili aims to inform the implementation of and scale-up of HIV treatment services for female sex workers by determining the minimal package of services needed to achieve viral suppression and by characterizing individuals in need of more intensive HIV treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly A Comins
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sheree R Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | | | - Jason E Farley
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, The REACH Initiative, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nora West
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lauren Parmley
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elvin Geng
- University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David Dowdy
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sharmistha Mishra
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harry Hausler
- Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing, The REACH Initiative, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Scheibe A, Shelly S, Lambert A, Schneider A, Basson R, Medeiros N, Padayachee K, Savva H, Hausler H. Using a programmatic mapping approach to plan for HIV prevention and harm reduction interventions for people who inject drugs in three South African cities. Harm Reduct J 2017; 14:35. [PMID: 28592246 PMCID: PMC5463380 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0164-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma, criminalisation and a lack of data on drug use contribute to the "invisibility" of people who inject drugs (PWID) and make HIV prevention and treatment service delivery challenging. We aimed to confirm locations where PWID congregate in Cape Town, eThekwini and Tshwane (South Africa) and to estimate PWID population sizes within selected electoral wards in these areas to inform South Africa's first multi-site HIV prevention project for PWID. METHODS Field workers (including PWID peers) interviewed community informants to identify suspected injecting locations in selected electoral wards in each city and then visited these locations and interviewed PWID. Interviews were used to gather information about the accessibility of sterile injecting equipment, location coordinates and movement patterns. We used the Delphi method to obtain final population size estimates for the mapped wards based on estimates from wisdom of the crowd methods, the literature and programmatic data. RESULTS Between January and April 2015, we mapped 45 wards. Tshwane teams interviewed 39 PWID in 12 wards, resulting in an estimated number of accessible PWID ranging from 568 to 1431. In eThekwini, teams interviewed 40 PWID in 15 wards with an estimated number of accessible PWID ranging from 184 to 350. The Cape Town team interviewed 61 PWID in 18 wards with an estimated number of accessible PWID ranging between 398 and 503. Sterile needles were only available at one location. Almost all needles were bought from pharmacies. Between 80 and 86% of PWID frequented more than one location per day. PWID who reported movement visited a median of three locations a day. CONCLUSIONS Programmatic mapping led by PWID peers can be used effectively to identify and reach PWID and build relationships where access to HIV prevention commodities for PWID is limited. PWID reported limited access to sterile injecting equipment, highlighting an important HIV prevention need. Programmatic mapping data show that outreach programmes should be flexible and account for the mobile nature of PWID populations. The PWID population size estimates can be used to develop service delivery targets and as baseline measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Scheibe
- TB/HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
- Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shaun Shelly
- TB/HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Helen Savva
- United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Harry Hausler
- TB/HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Schwartz S, Lambert A, Phaswana-Mafuya N, Kose Z, Mcingana M, Holland C, Ketende S, Yah C, Sweitzer S, Hausler H, Baral S. Engagement in the HIV care cascade and barriers to antiretroviral therapy uptake among female sex workers in Port Elizabeth, South Africa: findings from a respondent-driven sampling study. Sex Transm Infect 2016; 93:290-296. [PMID: 27888205 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 06/21/2016] [Revised: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female sex workers (FSWs) are disproportionately affected by HIV, even in the context of broadly generalised HIV epidemics such as South Africa. This has been observed in spite of the individual and population-level benefits of HIV treatment. We characterise the HIV care cascade among FSWs and relationships with antiretroviral therapy (ART) use. METHODS FSWs ≥18 years were recruited through respondent-driven sampling into a cross-sectional study in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Participants completed questionnaires and received HIV and syphilis testing; CD4 counts were assessed among women living with HIV. Engagement in the HIV care cascade is described, and correlates of self-reported ART use among treatment-eligible previously diagnosed FSWs were estimated using robust Poisson regression. RESULTS Between October 2014 and April 2015, 410 FSWs participated in study activities. Overall, 261/410 were living with HIV (respondent-driven sampling-weighted prevalence 61.5% (95% bootstrapped CI 54.1% to 68.0%)). Prior diagnosis of HIV was relatively high (214/261, 82%); however, ART coverage among FSWs living with HIV was 39% (102/261). In multivariate analyses, FSWs were less likely to be on ART if they had not disclosed their HIV status to non-paying partners (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 0.43, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.86, where the reference is FSWs without non-paying partners), and also if they engaged in mobile healthcare services (aPR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.89). CONCLUSIONS HIV testing and awareness of HIV status were high, but substantial losses in the cascade occur at treatment initiation. Given that FSWs engaged in mobile HIV testing and peer education programmes have unmet HIV treatment needs, models of decentralised treatment provision such as mobile-based ART care should be evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheree Schwartz
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Nancy Phaswana-Mafuya
- The Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.,Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Zamakayise Kose
- The Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Mfezi Mcingana
- The TB/HIV Care Association, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Claire Holland
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sosthenes Ketende
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Clarence Yah
- The Human Sciences Research Council, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Sweitzer
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Harry Hausler
- The TB/HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Stefan Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Masquillier C, Wouters E, Mortelmans D, van Wyk B, Hausler H, Van Damme W. HIV/AIDS Competent Households: Interaction between a Health-Enabling Environment and Community-Based Treatment Adherence Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151379. [PMID: 26963257 PMCID: PMC4786154 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the context of severe human resource shortages in HIV care, task-shifting and especially community-based support are increasingly being cited as potential means of providing durable care to chronic HIV patients. Socio-ecological theory clearly stipulates that-in all social interventions-the interrelatedness and interdependency between individuals and their immediate social contexts should be taken into account. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) seldom live in isolation, yet community-based interventions for supporting chronic HIV patients have largely ignored the social contexts in which they are implemented. Research is thus required to investigate such community-based support within its context. The aim of this study is to address this research gap by examining the way in which HIV/AIDS competence in the household hampers or facilitates community-based treatment adherence support. The data was analyzed carefully in accordance with the Grounded Theory procedures, using Nvivo 10. More specifically, we analyzed field notes from participatory observations conducted during 48 community-based treatment adherence support sessions in townships on the outskirts of Cape Town, transcripts of 32 audio-recorded in-depth interviews with PLWHA and transcripts of 4 focus group discussions with 36 community health workers (CHWs). Despite the fact that the CHWs try to present themselves as not being openly associated with HIV/AIDS services, results show that the presence of a CHW is often seen as a marker of the disease. Depending on the HIV/AIDS competence in the household, this association can challenge the patient's hybrid identity management and his/her attempt to regulate the interference of the household in the disease management. The results deepen our understanding of how the degree of HIV/AIDS competence present in a PLWHA's household affects the manner in which the CHW can perform his or her job and the associated benefits for the patient and his/her household members. In this respect, a household with a high level of HIV/AIDS competence will be more receptive to treatment adherence support, as the patient is more likely to allow interaction between the CHW and the household. In contrast, in a household which exhibits limited characteristics of HIV/AIDS competence, interaction with the treatment adherence supporter may be difficult in the beginning. In such a situation, visits from the CHW threaten the hybrid identity management. If the CHW handles this situation cautiously and the patient-acting as a gate keeper-allows interaction, the CHW may be able to help the household develop towards HIV/AIDS competence. This would have a more added value compared to a household which was more HIV/AIDS competent from the outset. This study indicates that pre-existing dynamics in a patient's social environment, such as the HIV/AIDS competence of the household, should be taken into account when designing community-based treatment adherence programs in order to provide long-term quality care, treatment and support in the context of human resource shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Masquillier
- Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Edwin Wouters
- Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Dimitri Mortelmans
- Research Centre for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies (CELLO), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Brian van Wyk
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | | | - Wim Van Damme
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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Uwimana J, Zarowsky C, Hausler H, Swanevelder S, Tabana H, Jackson D. Community-based intervention to enhance provision of integrated TB-HIV and PMTCT services in South Africa. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2014; 17:48-55. [PMID: 24020602 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.13.0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct an impact assessment of an intervention to enhance the provision of community-based integrated services for tuberculosis (TB), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT). METHODS The intervention consisted of a combination of training of community care workers (CCWs), structural adjustments, harmonisation of scope of practice and stipend of CCWs and enhanced supervision of CCWs to provide comprehensive TB-HIV/PMTCT services in a rural South African district. A before and after study design was used with a household survey to assess the operational effectiveness of the intervention. Six clusters were randomised into intervention and control arms. Quantitative data were analysed using logistic regression, adjusting for cluster design. RESULTS Logistic regression analyses of the survey data show that CCWs from the intervention arm performed better in the provision of TB-HIV/PMTCT services, such as screening for TB and sexually transmitted infections, adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy and counselling on infant feeding compared to the control CCWs (P < 0.05). However, intervention CCWs performed worse in the integrated management of childhood illnesses education and social welfare referrals (P < 0.05). The uptake of HIV testing increased significantly in the intervention arm, from 55% to 78% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION The intervention was effective in enhancing the provision of community-based TB-HIV and PMTCT services. However, attention to other primary health care services is required to ensure that all key services are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Uwimana
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; School of Public Health, National University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; and TB-HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - C Zarowsky
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H Hausler
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; and TB-HIV Care Association, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - S Swanevelder
- Biostatistics Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - H Tabana
- Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - D Jackson
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Uwimana J, Zarowsky C, Hausler H, Jackson D. Engagement of non-government organisations and community care workers in collaborative TB/HIV activities including prevention of mother to child transmission in South Africa: opportunities and challenges. BMC Health Serv Res 2012; 12:233. [PMID: 22853044 PMCID: PMC3471014 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-12-233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities may help to mitigate the impact of the dual epidemic on patients and communities. Such implementation requires integrated interventions across facilities and levels of government, and with communities. Engaging Community Care Workers (CCWs) in the delivery of integrated TB/HIV services may enhance universal coverage and treatment outcomes, and address human resource needs in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Using pre-intervention research in Sisonke district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa as a case study, we report on three study objectives: (1) to determine the extent of the engagement of NGOs and CCWs in the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV including PMTCT; (2) to identify constraints related to provision of TB/HIV/PMTCT integrated care at community level; and (3) to explore ways of enhancing the engagement of CCWs to provide integrated TB/HIV/PMTCT services. Our mixed method study included facility and NGO audits, a household survey (n = 3867), 33 key informant interviews with provincial, district, facility, and NGO managers, and six CCW and patient focus group discussions. RESULTS Most contracted NGOs were providing TB or HIV support and care with little support for PMTCT. Only 11% of facilities' TB and HIV patients needing care and support at the community level were receiving support from CCWs. Only 2% of pregnant women reported being counseled by CCWs on infant feeding options and HIV testing. Most facilities (83%) did not have any structural linkage with NGOs. Major constraints identified were system-related: structural, organizational and managerial constraints; inadequate CCW training and supervision; limited scope of CCW practice; inadequate funding; and inconsistency in supplies and equipment. Individual and community factors, such as lack of disclosure, stigma related to HIV, and cultural beliefs were also identified as constraints. CONCLUSIONS NGO/CCW engagement in the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV/PMTCT activities is sub-optimal, despite its potential benefits. Effective interventions that address contextual and health systems challenges are required. These should combine systematic skills-building, an enhanced scope of practice and consistent CCW supervision with a reliable referral and monitoring and evaluation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine Uwimana
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Modderdam Road, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Uwimana J, Jackson D, Hausler H, Zarowsky C. Health system barriers to implementation of collaborative TB and HIV activities including prevention of mother to child transmission in South Africa. Trop Med Int Health 2012; 17:658-65. [PMID: 22394016 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2012.02956.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
In South Africa, the control of TB and HIV co-infection remains a major challenge despite the availability of international and national guidelines for integration of TB and HIV services. This study was undertaken in KwaZulu-Natal, one of the provinces most affected by both TB and HIV, to identify and understand managers' and community care workers' (CCWs) perceptions of health systems barriers related to the implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities, including prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). We conducted 29 in-depth interviews with health managers at provincial, district and facility level and with managers of NGOs involved in TB and HIV care, as well as six focus group discussions with CCWs. Thematic analysis of transcripts revealed a convergence of perspectives on the process and the level of the implementation of policy directives on collaborative TB and HIV activities across all categories of respondents (i.e. province-, district-, facility- and community-based organizations). The majority of participants felt that the implementation of the policy was insufficiently consultative and that leadership and political will were lacking. The predominant themes related to health systems barriers include challenges related to structure and organisational culture; management, planning and power issues; unequal financing; and human resource capacity and regulatory problems notably relating to scope of practice of nurses and CCWs. Accelerated implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities including PMTCT will require political will and leadership to address these health systems barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Uwimana
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Uwimana J, Zarowsky C, Hausler H, Jackson D. Training community care workers to provide comprehensive TB/HIV/PMTCT integrated care in KwaZulu-Natal: lessons learnt. Trop Med Int Health 2012; 17:488-96. [PMID: 22296235 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3156.2011.02951.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe a participatory approach to implement and evaluate ways to integrate and train community care workers (CCWs) to enhance collaborative TB/HIV/PMTCT activities, and home-based HIV counseling and testing (HCT) at community level. METHODS The intervention study was conducted in Sisonke, a rural district of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. A baseline household (HH) survey was conducted in 11 villages. Six villages were randomly selected into intervention and control clusters. Training was provided first to CCWs from the intervention cluster (IC) followed by the control cluster (CC). Routine monthly data from CCWs were collected from March-December 2010. The data was subjected to bivariate tests. RESULTS The baseline HH survey revealed that of 3012 HH members visited by CCWs in 2008, 21% were screened for TB symptoms, 7% were visited for TB adherence support and 2% for ART adherence, and 1.5% were counselled on infant feeding options. A total of 89 CCWs were trained. Data show that during the study period in IC, 684 adults were offered HCT by CCWs, 92% accepted HCT and tested and 7% tested HIV-positive and were referred to the clinic for further care. Of 3556 adults served in IC, 44% were screened for TB symptoms and 32% for symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and 37% of children were traced as TB contact. Out of 6226 adults served in CC, 10% were screened for TB symptoms and 7% for STI symptoms. The differences in uptake of services between IC and CC were statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest higher uptake of TB and STI symptoms screening, TB contact tracing and home based HCT in the intervention clusters. This study suggests that up-skilling CCWs could be one avenue to enhance TB/HIV case finding, TB contact tracing and linkages to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Uwimana
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
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Martinson NA, Barnes GL, Moulton LH, Msandiwa R, Hausler H, Ram M, McIntyre JA, Gray GE, Chaisson RE. New regimens to prevent tuberculosis in adults with HIV infection. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:11-20. [PMID: 21732833 PMCID: PMC3407678 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1005136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of latent tuberculosis in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is efficacious, but few patients around the world receive such treatment. We evaluated three new regimens for latent tuberculosis that may be more potent and durable than standard isoniazid treatment. METHODS We randomly assigned South African adults with HIV infection and a positive tuberculin skin test who were not taking antiretroviral therapy to receive rifapentine (900 mg) plus isoniazid (900 mg) weekly for 12 weeks, rifampin (600 mg) plus isoniazid (900 mg) twice weekly for 12 weeks, isoniazid (300 mg) daily for up to 6 years (continuous isoniazid), or isoniazid (300 mg) daily for 6 months (control group). The primary end point was tuberculosis-free survival. RESULTS The 1148 patients had a median age of 30 years and a median CD4 cell count of 484 per cubic millimeter. Incidence rates of active tuberculosis or death were 3.1 per 100 person-years in the rifapentine-isoniazid group, 2.9 per 100 person-years in the rifampin-isoniazid group, and 2.7 per 100 person-years in the continuous-isoniazid group, as compared with 3.6 per 100 person-years in the control group (P>0.05 for all comparisons). Serious adverse reactions were more common in the continuous-isoniazid group (18.4 per 100 person-years) than in the other treatment groups (8.7 to 15.4 per 100 person-years). Two of 58 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (3.4%) were found to have multidrug resistance. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of the expected rates of tuberculosis in this population of HIV-infected adults, all secondary prophylactic regimens were effective. Neither a 3-month course of intermittent rifapentine or rifampin with isoniazid nor continuous isoniazid was superior to 6 months of isoniazid. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00057122.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil A Martinson
- Center for Tuberculosis Research and Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA
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Pope DS, Atkins S, DeLuca AN, Hausler H, Hoosain E, Celentano DD, Chaisson RE. South African TB nurses' experiences of provider-initiated HIV counseling and testing in the Eastern Cape Province: a qualitative study. AIDS Care 2010; 22:238-45. [PMID: 20390502 DOI: 10.1080/09540120903040594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This study addressed factors that played a role in the limited but effective implementation of provider-initiated HIV counseling in tuberculosis (TB) clinics in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, as part of a clinical trial. The Eastern Cape is a region with some of the highest TB and HIV rates in the world. The parent study was a pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial designed to measure the impact of provider-initiated ("opt-out") counseling on the uptake of HIV counseling and testing in newly registered TB patients. Key informants were interviewed and clinic nurses who participated in the study were invited to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs). Thematic content analysis of transcriptions was conducted on data collected during interviews and FGDs. Three major themes regarding nurse experiences were derived from analysis, indicating that multiple structural and personal factors influence the success of provider-initiated HIV counseling of TB patients in primary care settings: (1) chronic frustration with knowing what TB tasks need to be accomplished but not having the resources, including staff, to accomplish them; (2) conflict between the appreciation of the need and importance of HIV counseling and testing and the health system's recognition of their difficulties implementing it; and (3) ambivalence in their roles as care providers and educators in the context of HIV counseling and testing. Innovative and coordinated strategies are needed in this environment to facilitate greater number of patients receiving HIV counseling and testing services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Pope
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Sable MR, Libbus KM, Jackson D, Hausler H. The role of pregnancy intention in HIV prevention in South Africa: a proposed model for policy and practice. Afr J AIDS Res 2008; 7:159-165. [PMID: 25864392 DOI: 10.2989/ajar.2008.7.2.1.518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mother-to-child transmission is a continuing source of new HIV infections in South Africa. The paper posits that insight into the socio-cultural, behavioural, environmental and economic factors that sustain the HIV epidemic is as important as understanding the biological causes of the disease when planning and implementing interventions to prevent and reduce perinatal transmission. Furthermore, understanding the pregnancy intentions of individuals in areas of endemic HIV/AIDS is vital for providing the best care for individuals who are HIV-positive. This paper suggests a model for types of support and interventions that are relative to the intention of HIV-positive women or couples to become pregnant. Included among these are interventions for prevention of unwanted pregnancy, prevention of transmission of HIV, protection of the infant, and protection of the mother.
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Holmes CB, Hausler H, Nunn P. A review of sex differences in the epidemiology of tuberculosis. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 1998; 2:96-104. [PMID: 9562118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, the prevalence of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is similar in males and females until adolescence, after which it is higher in males. In industrialized countries in the middle of this century (1930s to 1950s), females aged 15 to 34 years had higher tuberculosis notification rates than males of the same age. However, as notification rates in these countries decreased over time, rates in males became higher than those of females for all ages over 15. Present notification rates of both sexes combined in many developing countries are similar to those of industrialized countries in the middle of the century, although the sex and age pattern is similar to that in industrialized countries at present, with men's disease rates exceeding women's after the age of 15. These findings raise the possibility that cases of tuberculosis among women are being under-reported in developing regions. This is supported by the results of a study comparing active and passive case-finding in which women with tuberculosis were under-notified to public health authorities when relying on passive case-finding. In addition, epidemiological evidence from the pre-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) era shows that young to early-middle-aged women progress from infection to disease with greater frequency than do men. This elevated frequency of progression among women now coincides with a peak in HIV prevalence among women of the same age. National Tuberculosis Programmes must assess possible sex differences that exist in their countries. In addition, information about the risks of tuberculosis in younger women should be incorporated into maternal and child health, and HIV/AIDS programmes. Further research comparing sex differences in tuberculosis rates, preferably using active as well as passive case-finding, would be necessary to determine whether young women are undernotified in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- C B Holmes
- Tuberculosis Research and Surveillance Unit, Global Tuberculosis Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cameron N, Matji R, Hausler H. DOTS--are we over-optimistic? S Afr Med J 1997; 87:1383-4. [PMID: 9472254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Hausler H, Lambert JS. Preparation for HIV vaccine trials: ethical, behavioral, and social issues. Pediatr AIDS HIV Infect 1994; 5:238-43. [PMID: 11658066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
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