A social innovation to empower community-led monitoring and mobilization for HIV prevention in rural Kenya: experimenting to reduce the HIV prevention policy-implementation gap

Introduction

Strong policy guidance has recently emerged identifying focal points at multiple levels and across sectors to end the persistent HIV pandemic and related inequities. Reducing the policy-implementation gap, as with the evidence-policy gap, requires strategic alignment between interventional research and policy realms. Global- and national-level HIV policy indicate a need for community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and increase uptake of HIV prevention tools.

Methods

This study assesses a process-driven approach to facilitating community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and build a generative context for community-led HIV prevention. The study intervention combines an adapted group-based microfinance process, a novel psychological curriculum, and leadership development at a scale now involving over 10,000 rural Kenyans across 39 villages.

Results

Consistent with interventional goals, and current relevant psychosocial theories, we find collective emotion, and HIV stigma (blame and discrimination) significantly improve with more time participating in the in the program and novel curriculum. Further, HIV stigma predicts subsequent reporting of ever being tested for HIV, and the intervention led to the development of "HIV prevention resource committees" - groups of participants committed to undergo training to reduce HIV stigma and prevent HIV within their communities.

Discussion

Implications for further research to reduce the HIV policy-implementation gap are discussed, directly within this interventional context and more generally.

'I still desire to have a child': a qualitative analysis of intersectional HIV- and childlessness-related stigma in rural southwestern Uganda

This study explored the intersecting forms of stigma experienced by HIV-serodifferent couples with unmet reproductive goals in rural Uganda. The parent mixed-methods study, which included 131 HIV-exposed women with plans for pregnancy, offered comprehensive HIV prevention counselling and care over a nine-month period. In-depth interviews were conducted with 37 women and seven male partners to explore care experiences and the use of safer conception strategies. This secondary analysis explored how challenges conceiving informed pregnancy plans and HIV prevention behaviours. The following themes were developed (1) partnership conflicts arise from HIV- and infertility-related forms of stigma, contributing to gender-based violence, partnership dissolution and the pursuit of new partners; (2) cultural and gender norms pressure men and women to conceive and maintain partnerships, which is complicated by the stigma directed towards serodifferent couples; (3) frustration with low partner participation in safer conception strategies led to the decreased use of these methods of HIV prevention; (4) health care provider support promotes continued hope of conception and helps overcome stigma. In HIV-affected partnerships, these intersecting forms of stigma may impact HIV prevention. Seeking to fulfil their reproductive needs, partners may increase HIV transmission opportunities as they engage in condomless sex with additional partners and decrease adherence to prevention strategies. Future research programmes should consider the integration of fertility counselling with reproductive and sexual health care.

T-cell activation state differentially contributes to neuropsychiatric complications in women with HIV

Neuropsychiatric complications are common among women with HIV (WWH). The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying these complications are not fully known but likely driven in part by immune modulation. We examined associations between T-cell activation states which are required to mount an effective immune response (activation, co-stimulation/normal function, exhaustion, senescence) and neuropsychiatric complications in WWH. 369 WWH (78% HIV RNA undetectable/<20cp/mL) enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study completed neuropsychological testing and measures of depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-CES-D), self-reported stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale-10), and post-traumatic stress (PTSD Checklist-Civilian Scale). Multiparametric flow cytometry evaluated T-cell activation state. Partial least squares regressions were used to examine T-cell phenotypes and neuropsychiatric outcome associations after confounder adjustment. In the total sample and among virally suppressed (VS)-WWH, CD4+ T-cell exhaustion was associated with poorer learning and attention/working memory (P's < 0.05). In the total sample, CD4+ T-cell activation was associated with better attention/working memory and CD8+ T-cell co-stimulation and senescence was associated with poorer executive function (P's < 0.05). For mental health outcomes, in the total sample, CD4+ T-cell activation was associated with more perceived stress and CD4+ T-cell exhaustion was associated with less depressive symptoms (P's < 0.05). Among VS-WWH, CD4+ senescence was associated with less perceive stress and CD8+ T-cell co-stimulation and senescence was associated with higher depression (P's < 0.05). Together, results suggest the contribution of peripheral CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell activation status to neuropsychiatric complications in WWH.

A scoping review of the integration of empowerment-based perspectives in quantitative intersectional stigma research

The genesis of the concept of intersectionality was a call to dismantle interlocking systems of oppression - racial, sexual, heterosexual, and class-based - in order to realise liberation of Black women and other women of colour. Intersectionality holds the radical potential to amplify collective efficacy, community solidarity, and liberation. The extension of intersectionality into stigma research has resulted in an increased focus on intersectional stigma in quantitative research. This raises questions regarding how the radical and liberatory potential of intersectionality is applied in stigma research. Specifically, empowerment-based perspectives may be overlooked in quantitative intersectional stigma research. We conducted a scoping review to document if and how empowerment-based perspectives were included in intersectional stigma quantitative studies. We identified and included 32 studies in this review that examined varied stigmas, most commonly related to race, gender, HIV and sexual orientation. In total 13/32 (40.6%) of these studies reported on empowerment-based factors; most of these examined social support and/or resilience. Taken together, findings suggest that the quantitative intersectional stigma research field would benefit from expansion of concepts studied to include activism and solidarity, as well as methodological approaches to identify the protective roles of empowerment-based factors to inform health and social justice-related programmes and policy.

Behavioral Interventions can Mitigate Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Among Women Conceiving on ART and Those Initiated on ART During Pregnancy: Findings From the MOTIVATE Trial in Southwestern Kenya

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission and improved health outcomes for women living with HIV (WLWH). However, adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) among pregnant women on ART are a growing concern.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between timing of ART initiation and APOs among pregnant WLWH receiving behavioral interventions (community mentor mothers and text messaging) in the Mother-Infant Visit Adherence and Treatment Engagement (MOTIVATE) study in southwestern Kenya. Log binomial models were used for estimation of relative risks (RRs) (adjusted for the clustered nature of data) evaluating APOs with 3 exposure comparisons: (1) preconception ART initiation vs. postconception initiation; (2) among postconception ART initiating women, comparisons across gestational ages at cART initiation (first versus second and third trimester exposure), and (3) intervention allocation.

RESULTS

Of the 1275 women included in this analysis, 388 (30%) had an APO: 306 preterm births, 38 low birth weight infants, 33 stillbirths, and 11 miscarriages. In multivariable analysis, viral load ≥1000 copies/mL, moderate and severe anemia at baseline increased risk of APOs. Among women initiating ART before and after conception, no difference was observed in the composite APO. Women who received community mentor mother visits alone (aRR 0.74: 95% CI: 0.71 to 0.76) or text messages alone (aRR 0.79: 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.89) had lower risks of experiencing any APOs.

CONCLUSIONS

Receiving supportive behavioral interventions may mitigate the risk of experiencing an APO among WLWH on ART. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms and optimize the benefits of these interventions.

Male partner involvement and successful completion of the prevention of mother-to-child transmission continuum of care in Kenya

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between male partner involvement (MPI) in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) activities and successful completion of the PMTCT continuum of care, which remains sub-optimal in settings with high prevalence of HIV.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered in June-August 2017 to a sample of 200 postpartum Kenyan women with HIV enrolled in a parent trial. Composite PMTCT and MPI variables were created. Descriptive, simple and multivariable regression, and mediation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Of the women, 54% reported successful completion of PMTCT. Depression and internalized HIV stigma were independently associated with lower likelihood of successful completion of PMTCT (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94-0.99; aRR 0.92; 95% CI 0.88-0.98, respectively). Each MPI activity was associated with 10% greater likelihood of successful completion of PMTCT (P < 0.05). The relationship between MPI and the successful completion of PMTCT was partially mediated through women's reduced internalized HIV stigma (β -0.03; 95%CI -0.06 to -0.00).

CONCLUSION

Greater MPI in PMTCT activities has direct and indirect effects on women's successful completion of all necessary steps across the PMTCT continuum. Reduced internalized HIV stigma is likely a key mechanism in the relationship.

Effects of Depression, Stigma and Intimate Partner Violence on Postpartum Women's Adherence and Engagement in HIV Care in Kenya

We explored the association between HIV-related stigma and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and depression with viral load suppression, and medication and visit adherence in postpartum women receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) (N = 200). We administered a cross-sectional survey to 200 women with HIV at 12 months postpartum who were enrolled in the MOTIVATE trial. The MOTIVATE study is a cluster-randomized trial evaluating the impact of community mentor mothers and text messaging on PMTCT outcomes in southwestern Kenya. Simple and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed in STATA. Women who experienced stigma or IPV were more likely to miss clinic visits (internalized stigma aOR 1.30 95%CI 1.03-1.64; anticipated stigma aOR 1.20 95%CI 1.04-1.42; IPV aOR 15.71 95%CI 1.47-167.80), report difficulty taking ART drugs (internalized stigma aOR 1.32 95%CI 1.10-1.58; anticipated stigma aOR 1.14 95%CI 1.01-1.30) and not taking medication as prescribed (IPV aOR 2.00 95%CI 1.05-3.74). Depression was additionally associated with decreased odds of viral load suppression (aOR 0.16 95%CI 0.04-0.76). There is need to develop tailored psychosocial interventions within PMTCT programs that appropriately address mental health, stigma, and violence.

HIV status disclosure patterns and male partner reactions among pregnant women with HIV on lifelong ART in Western Kenya

Disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners in the context of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) may contribute to improved PMTCT outcomes. We administered a questionnaire to 200 women with HIV enrolled in a PMTCT study during pregnancy at 12 months after birth in Western Kenya between May-September 2017. Descriptive analysis of disclosure patterns and multivariate analysis of factors associated with male partner reactions is presented. Among 180 (90%) women who reported having a male partner, 95.5% reported disclosing their HIV status to that partner. The majority of women (82.8%) reported disclosure occurred within one year of their diagnosis, with 62.7% occurring within one week. The most common forms of disclosure were: self-disclosure (55.4%), during couple's HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) (31.5%), or at an antenatal care visit (7.7%). Most women (87.5%) reported that male partner reactions to their HIV status disclosure were positive. Those with negative reactions reported their partners were confused, annoyed, or threatened to leave, however there were no reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) or break ups. Disclosure via CHTC was associated with a positive male partner reaction compared to self-disclosure (adjusted OR (aOR) 20.2, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.8-221.4). Those in concordant HIV status partnerships were more likely to have a positive reaction (aOR. 6.7, 95% CI 1.7-26.6). Women experiencing frequent verbal IPV were less likely to report a positive response (aOR 0.21, 95%CI 0.1-0.8). Most postpartum women with HIV in this cohort had disclosed to their male partners early after diagnosis and experienced a positive reaction. However, a minority had still not disclosed by 12 months after the birth and some experienced negative reactions to disclosure. The form of status disclosure and impact of intimate partner violence should be given greater attention within the context of PMTCT.

Stigma in health facilities: why it matters and how we can change it

Stigma in health facilities undermines diagnosis, treatment, and successful health outcomes. Addressing stigma is fundamental to delivering quality healthcare and achieving optimal health. This correspondence article seeks to assess how developments over the past 5 years have contributed to the state of programmatic knowledge-both approaches and methods-regarding interventions to reduce stigma in health facilities, and explores the potential to concurrently address multiple health condition stigmas. It is supported by findings from a systematic review of published articles indexed in PubMed, Psychinfo and Web of Science, and in the United States Agency for International Development's Development Experience Clearinghouse, which was conducted in February 2018 and restricted to the past 5 years. Forty-two studies met inclusion criteria and provided insight on interventions to reduce HIV, mental illness, or substance abuse stigma. Multiple common approaches to address stigma in health facilities emerged, which were implemented in a variety of ways. The literature search identified key gaps including a dearth of stigma reduction interventions in health facilities that focus on tuberculosis, diabetes, leprosy, or cancer; target multiple cadres of staff or multiple ecological levels; leverage interactive technology; or address stigma experienced by health workers. Preliminary results from ongoing innovative responses to these gaps are also described.The current evidence base of stigma reduction in health facilities provides a solid foundation to develop and implement interventions. However, gaps exist and merit further work. Future investment in health facility stigma reduction should prioritize the involvement of clients living with the stigmatized condition or behavior and health workers living with stigmatized conditions and should address both individual and structural level stigma.

Trajectories of women's physical and psychosocial health following obstetric fistula repair in Uganda: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

To explore trajectories of physical and psychosocial health, and their interrelationship, among women completing fistula repair in Uganda for 1 year post-surgery.

METHODS

We recruited a 60-woman longitudinal cohort at surgical hospitalisation from Mulago Hospital in Kampala Uganda (Dec 2014-June 2015) and followed them for 1 year. We collected survey data on physical and psychosocial health at surgery and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months via mobile phone. Fistula characteristics were abstracted from medical records. All participants provided written informed consent. We present univariate analysis and linear regression results.

RESULTS

Across post-surgical follow-up, most women reported improvements in physical and psychosocial health, largely within the first 6 months. By 12 months, urinary incontinence had declined from 98% to 33% and general weakness from 33% to 17%, while excellent to good general health rose from 0% to 60%. Reintegration, self-esteem and quality of life all increased through 6 months and remained stable thereafter. Reported stigma reduced, yet some negative self-perception remained at 12 months (mean 17.8). Psychosocial health was significantly impacted by the report of physical symptoms; at 12 months, physical symptoms were associated with a 21.9 lower mean reintegration score (95% CI -30.1, -12.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Our longitudinal cohort experienced dramatic improvements in physical and psychosocial health after surgery. Continuing fistula-related symptoms and the substantial differences in psychosocial health by physical symptoms support additional intervention to support women's recovery or more targeted psychosocial support and reintegration services to ensure that those coping with physical or psychosocial challenges are appropriately supported.

Women's decision-making about self-protection during sexual activity in the deep south of the USA: a grounded theory study

Many women continue to become infected with HIV, particularly in the Southeastern USA, despite widespread knowledge about methods to prevent its sexual transmission. This grounded theory investigation examined the decision-making process women use to guide their use or non-use of self-protective measures when engaging in sexual activity. Participants included women in the Mississippi cohort of the Women's Interagency HIV Study who were infected with or at high risk for HIV. Theoretical sampling was used to recruit a sample of 20 primarily African American women aged between 26 and 56 years, living in rural and urban areas. Data were analysed using constant comparative method to generate a theory of the process that guided women's self-protective decisions. Three key themes were identified: (1) sexual silence, an overall context of silence around sexuality in their communities and relationships; (2) the importance of relationships with male partners, including concepts of 'love and trust', 'filling the void' and 'don't rock the boat'; and (3) perceptions of risk, including 'it never crossed my mind', 'it couldn't happen to me' and 'assumptions about HIV'. These themes impacted on women's understandings of HIV-related risk, making it difficult to put self-protection above other interests and diminishing their motivation to protect themselves.

Reported Church Attendance at the Time of Entry into HIV Care is Associated with Viral Load Suppression at 12 Months

The Southeast has high rates of church attendance and HIV infection rates. We evaluated the relationship between church attendance and HIV viremia in a Southeastern US, HIV-infected cohort. Viremia (viral load ≥200 copies/ml) was analyzed 12 months after initiation of care. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fit for variables potentially related to viremia. Of 382 patients, 74 % were virally suppressed at 12 months. Protective variables included church attendance (AOR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.2, 0.9), being on antiretroviral therapy (AOR 0.01; 95 % CI 0.004, 0.04), CD4(+) T lymphocyte count 200-350 cells/mm(3) at care entry (AOR 0.3; 95 % 0.1, 0.9), and education (AOR 0.5; 95 % CI 0.2, 0.9). Variables predicting viremia included black race (AOR 3.2; 95 % CI 1.4, 7.4) and selective disclosure of HIV status (AOR 2.7; 95 % CI 1.2, 5.6). Church attendance may provide needed support for patients entering HIV care for the first time.

The Role of Early HIV Status Disclosure in Retention in HIV Care

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether nondisclosure or selective disclosure of HIV status to others is associated with retention in HIV care. This retrospective analysis evaluated the relationship of self-reported disclosure of HIV status as an indicator for poor retention in care (a gap in care >180 days) during the 12 months following initial entry into HIV care. Nondisclosure (disclosure to no one) and selective disclosure were compared to broad disclosure (referent). Univariate and multivariable (MV) logistic regression models were fit, including factors known to be associated with disclosure and retention in care. From 2007 to 2013, 508 HIV-infected patients presented to initiate care, of whom 63% were black, 54% had a CD4 + T lymphocyte count <350, and 82% were men (60% of whom were men who have sex with other men). Of these, 65 (13%) reported nondisclosure, 258 (49%) reported selective disclosure, and 185 (38%) reported broad disclosure. In MV analyses, nondisclosure was associated with poor retention in care (AOR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2, 4.2). Evaluating disclosure patterns among patients establishing HIV care may help predict and prevent inconsistent care. Further work is needed to understand the relationship between disclosure and retention in care in order to guide future interventions to improve HIV-outcomes.

"You Know You Are Sick, Why Do You Carry A Pregnancy Again?" Applying the Socio-Ecological Model to Understand Barriers to PMTCT Service Utilization in Western Kenya

OBJECTIVE

Throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services are readily available. However, PMTCT programs in SSA have had suboptimal performance compared to other regions of the world. The main objective of this study is to explore the socio-ecological and individual factors influencing the utilization of PMTCT services among HIV-positive pregnant women in western Kenya using a social ecological model as our analytical lens.

METHODS

Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 33 HIV-infected women attending government health facilities in rural western Kenya. Women with HIV-infected infants aged between 6 weeks to 6 months with a definitive diagnosis of HIV in the infant, as well as those with an HIV-negative test result in the infant were interviewed between November 2012 and June 2013. Coding and analysis of the transcripts followed grounded theory tenets. Coding reports were discussed in a series of meetings held among the authors. We then employed constant comparative analysis to discover dominant individual, family, society and structural determinants of PMTCT use.

RESULTS

Barriers to women's utilization of PMTCT services fell within the broad constructs of the socio-ecological model of individual, family, society and structural determinants. Several themes cut across the different steps of PMTCT cascade and relate to different constructs of the socio-ecological model. These themes include: self-motivation, confidence and resilience, family support, absence or reduced stigma, right provider attitude and quality of health services provided. We also found out that these factors ensured enhanced maternal health and HIV negative children.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that a woman's social environment is an important determinant of MTCT. PMTCT Interventions must comprehensively address multiple factors across the different ecological levels. More research is however required for the development of multi-component interventions that combine strategies at different ecological levels.

The role of maternal, health system, and psychosocial factors in prevention of mother-to-child transmission failure in the era of programmatic scale up in western Kenya: a case control study

The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) in an area of Kenya with widely accessible free PMTCT services. A matched case-control study was conducted at 31 public facilities in western Kenya. HIV-infected mothers with infants aged 6 weeks to 6 months were interviewed and medical charts were reviewed. Cases were mothers of infants with a definitive diagnosis of HIV. Controls were mothers of infants testing HIV negative. Cases and controls were matched in a 1:3 ratio on socio-demographic factors. Fifty cases and 135 controls were enrolled. Conditional (matched) logistic regression analysis was conducted. Odds of being a case were higher for women who first learned their HIV status during pregnancy [OR:2.85, 95%CI:1.41-5.78], did not adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART) [OR:3.35, 95%CI:1.48-7.58], or had a home delivery [OR:2.42, 95%CI:1.01-5.80]. Based on medical record review, cases had higher odds of their provider not following guidelines for prescription of ART for mothers [OR:8.61, 95%CI:2.83-26.15] and infants [OR:9.72, 95%CI:2.75-34.37]. Stigma from the community [OR:0.37, 95% CI:0.14-1.02] or facility [OR:0.38, 95%CI:0.04-3.41], did not increase the odds of MTCT. Poor adherence to PMTCT guidelines and recommendations by both infected women and health care providers hamper efforts to attain elimination of MTCT.

Aberrant drug-related behaviors: a qualitative analysis of medical record documentation in patients referred to an HIV/chronic pain clinic

BACKGROUND

Due to rising rates of opioid addiction and overdose among individuals on chronic opioid therapy, aberrant drug-related behaviors (ADRBs) are an important and challenging issue. Our objective was to qualitatively investigate the documentation of ADRBs in the medical record.

METHODS

Manually abstracted provider notes from an HIV primary care clinic were analyzed using content analysis methods.

RESULTS

Categories of ADRBs identified included patients requesting opioids, obtaining nonprescribed opioids, and becoming emotional about opioids. We also identified several types of provider language used when documenting ADRBs, including purely descriptive language and emotional language such as labeling, frustration, and concern, and responses such as setting conditions for opioid prescription and action-oriented language.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of including emotional language in the medical record is unknown. Development of instruments that can be used to facilitate ADRB documentation, as well as evidence-based approaches to addressing ADRBs, is needed.

Predictors of extra-marital partnerships among women married to fishermen along Lake Victoria in Kisumu County, Kenya

BACKGROUND

The vulnerability of women to HIV infection makes establishing predictors of women's involvement in extra-marital partnerships critical. We investigated the predictors of extra-marital partnerships among women married to fishermen.

METHODS

The current analyses are part of a mixed methods cross-sectional survey of 1090 gender-matched interviews with 545 couples and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 59 couples. Using a proportional to size simple random sample of fishermen as our index participants, we asked them to enrol in the study with their spouses. The consenting couples were interviewed simultaneously in separate private rooms. In addition to socio-economic and demographic data, we collected information on sexual behaviour including extra-marital sexual partnerships. We analysed these data using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. For FGDs, couples willing to participate were invited, consented and separated for simultaneous FGDs by gender-matched moderators. The resultant audiofiles were transcribed verbatim and translated into English for coding and thematic content analysis using NVivo 9.

RESULTS

The prevalence of extra-marital partnerships among women was 6.2% within a reference time of six months. Factors that were independently associated with increased likelihood of extra-marital partnerships were domestic violence (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI 1.09-1.92), women reporting being denied a preferred sex position (aOR, 3.34; 95% CI 1.26-8.84) and spouse longer erect penis (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI 1.00-1.78). Conversely, women's age--more than 24 years (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI 0.14-0.78) and women's increased sexual satisfaction (aOR, 0.92; 95% CI 0.87-0.96) were associated with reduced likelihood of extra-marital partnerships.

CONCLUSION

Domestic violence, denial of a preferred sex positions, longer erect penis, younger age and increased sexual satisfaction were the main predictors of women's involvement in extra-marital partnerships. Integration of sex education, counselling and life skills training in couple HIV prevention programs might help in risk reduction.

The stigma of having an abortion: development of a scale and characteristics of women experiencing abortion stigma

CONTEXT

Although abortion is common in the United States, women who have abortions report significant social stigma. Currently, there is no standard measure for individual-level abortion stigma, and little is known about the social and demographic characteristics associated with it.

METHODS

To create a measure of abortion stigma, an initial item pool was generated using abortion story content analysis and refined using cognitive interviews. In 2011, the final item pool was used to assess individual-level abortion stigma among 627 women at 13 U.S. Planned Parenthood health centers who reported a previous abortion. Factor analysis was conducted on the survey responses to reduce the number of items and to establish scale validity and reliability. Differences in level of reported abortion stigma were examined with multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

Factor analysis revealed a four-factor model for individual-level abortion stigma: worries about judgment, isolation, self-judgment and community condemnation (Cronbach's alphas, 0.8-0.9). Catholic and Protestant women experienced higher levels of stigma than nonreligious women (coefficients, 0.23 and 0.18, respectively). On the subscales, women with the strongest religious beliefs had higher levels of self-judgment and greater perception of community condemnation than only somewhat religious women. Additional differences were found by race, age, education, religiosity and motherhood status on the subscales.

CONCLUSION

This valid and reliable scale can be used in research examining abortion stigma and related outcomes (e.g., women's health, relationships and behavior). The scale can also be used to evaluate programs and interventions that aim to reduce the stigma experienced by women who have abortions.

Nonatonic obstetric haemorrhage: effectiveness of the nonpneumatic antishock garment in egypt

The study aims to determine if the nonpneumatic antishock garment (NASG), a first aid compression device, decreases severe adverse outcomes from nonatonic obstetric haemorrhage. Women with nonatonic aetiologies (434), blood loss > 1000 mL, and signs of shock were eligible. Women received standard care during the preintervention phase (226) and standard care plus application of the garment in the NASG phase (208). Blood loss and extreme adverse outcomes (EAO-mortality and severe morbidity) were measured. Women who used the NASG had more estimated blood loss on admission. Mean measured blood loss was 370 mL in the preintervention phase and 258 mL in the NASG phase (P < 0.0001). EAO decreased with use of the garment (2.9% versus 4.4%, (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.24–1.76)). In conclusion, using the NASG improved maternal outcomes despite the worse condition on study entry. These findings should be tested in larger studies.

Positive effects of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment on delays in accessing care for postpartum and postabortion hemorrhage in Egypt and Nigeria

BACKGROUND

We examined whether the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) ameliorates the effects of delays in transport to and treatment at hospitals for women with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and postabortion hemorrhage (PAH) and investigated the effects of NASG use on timing of delivery of interventions in-hospital.

METHODS

Pre/post studies of the NASG were conducted at hospitals in Cairo (n = 349 women), Assuit (n = 274), Southern Nigeria (n = 57), and Northern Nigeria (n = 124). In post-hoc analyses, comparisons of delays were conducted using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and associations of delays with extreme adverse outcomes (EAO, mortality or severe morbidity) were examined using chi-square tests, odds ratios (ORs), and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Median minutes from hemorrhage start to study admission differed by site, ranging from 15 minutes in Cairo to 225 minutes in Northern Nigeria (p < 0.001). Median minutes from study admission to blood transfusion ranged from 30 minutes in Cairo to 209 minutes in Southern Nigeria (p < 0.001). Twenty percent of women with ≥60 minutes between hemorrhage start and study admission experienced an EAO without the NASG compared with only 6% with the NASG (χ(2) = 13.71, p < 0.001). In-hospital delays in receiving intravenous (IV) fluids and blood were more common in the NASG phase.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with PPH or PAH in Egypt and Nigeria often face delays in reaching emergency obstetrical care facilities and delays in receiving definitive therapies after arrival. Our results indicate that the NASG can reduce the impact of these delays. Stabilization does not replace treatment, however, and delays in fluid/blood administration with NASG use must be avoided.

Obstetric hemorrhage and shock management: using the low technology Non-pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment in Nigerian and Egyptian tertiary care facilities

Background

Obstetric hemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal mortality globally. The Non-pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment (NASG) is a low-technology, first-aid compression device which, when added to standard hypovolemic shock protocols, may improve outcomes for women with hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric hemorrhage in tertiary facilities in low-resource settings.

Methods

This study employed a pre-intervention/intervention design in four facilities in Nigeria and two in Egypt. Primary outcomes were measured mean and median blood loss, severe end-organ failure morbidity (renal failure, pulmonary failure, cardiac failure, or CNS dysfunctions), mortality, and emergency hysterectomy for 1442 women with ≥750 mL blood loss and at least one sign of hemodynamic instability. Comparisons of outcomes by study phase were assessed with rank sum tests, relative risks (RR), number needed to treat for benefit (NNTb), and multiple logistic regression.

Results

Women in the NASG phase (n = 835) were in worse condition on study entry, 38.5% with mean arterial pressure <60 mmHg vs. 29.9% in the pre-intervention phase (p = 0.001). Despite this, negative outcomes were significantly reduced in the NASG phase: mean measured blood loss decreased from 444 mL to 240 mL (p < 0.001), maternal mortality decreased from 6.3% to 3.5% (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.35-0.89), severe morbidities from 3.7% to 0.7% (RR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.50), and emergency hysterectomy from 8.9% to 4.0% (RR 0.44, 0.23-0.86). In multiple logistic regression, there was a 55% reduced odds of mortality during the NASG phase (aOR 0.45, 0.27-0.77). The NNTb to prevent either mortality or severe morbidity was 18 (12-36).

Conclusion

Adding the NASG to standard shock and hemorrhage management may significantly improve maternal outcomes from hypovolemic shock secondary to obstetric hemorrhage at tertiary care facilities in low-resource settings.

A comparative study of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment for the treatment of obstetric hemorrhage in Egypt

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the non-pneumatic anti-shock garment (NASG) on maternal outcome following severe obstetric hemorrhage.

METHODS

A non-randomized pre-intervention/intervention study was conducted in 2 tertiary hospitals in Egypt from June 2006 to May 2008. Women with obstetric hemorrhage (estimated blood loss >or=1000 mL and/or >or=1 sign of shock [systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg or pulse >100 beats per minute]) were treated with either a standardized protocol (pre-intervention) or a standardized protocol plus the NASG (intervention). The primary outcome was extreme adverse outcome (EAO), combining maternal mortality and severe morbidity (cardiac, respiratory, renal, or cerebral dysfunction). Secondary outcomes were measured blood loss, urine output, emergency hysterectomy, and (individually) mortality or morbidity. Analyses were performed to examine independent association of the NASG with EAO.

RESULTS

Mean measured blood loss decreased from 379 mL pre-intervention to 253 mL in the intervention group (P<0.01). In a multiple logistic regression model, the NASG was associated with reduced odds of EAO (odds ratio 0.38; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.85).

CONCLUSION

The NASG, in addition to standardized protocols at tertiary facilities for obstetric hemorrhage and shock, resulted in lower measured blood loss and reduced EAO.