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O'Reilly A, Mavhu W, Neuman M, Kumwenda MK, Johnson CC, Sinjani G, Indravudh P, Choko A, Hatzold K, Corbett EL. Accuracy of and preferences for blood-based versus oral-fluid-based HIV self-testing in Malawi: a cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:979. [PMID: 38566003 PMCID: PMC10985843 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09231-1] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) can use either oral-fluid or blood-based tests. Studies have shown strong preferences for self-testing compared to facility-based services. Despite availability of low-cost blood-based HIVST options, to date, HIVST implementation in sub-Saharan Africa has largely been oral-fluid-based. We investigated whether users preferred blood-based (i.e. using blood sample derived from a finger prick) or oral fluid-based HIVST in rural and urban Malawi. METHODS At clinics providing HIV testing services (n = 2 urban; n = 2 rural), participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire capturing sociodemographic data before choosing to test using oral-fluid-based HVST, blood-based HIVST or provider-delivered testing. They also completed a self-administered questionnaire afterwards, followed by a confirmatory test using the national algorithm then appropriate referral. We used simple and multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with preference for oral-fluid or blood-based HIVST. RESULTS July to October 2018, N = 691 participants enrolled in this study. Given the choice, 98.4% (680/691) selected HIVST over provider-delivered testing. Of 680 opting for HIVST, 416 (61.2%) chose oral-fluid-based HIVST, 264 (38.8%) chose blood-based HIVST and 99.1% (674/680) reported their results appropriately. Self-testers who opted for blood-based HIVST were more likely to be male (50.3% men vs. 29.6% women, p < 0.001), attending an urban facility (43% urban vs. 34.6% rural, p = 0.025) and regular salary-earners (49.5% regular vs. 36.8% non-regular, p = 0.012). After adjustment, only sex was found to be associated with choice of self-test (adjusted OR 0.43 (95%CI: 0.3-0.61); p-value < 0.001). Among 264 reporting blood-based HIVST results, 11 (4.2%) were HIV-positive. Blood-based HIVST had sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 71.5-100%) and specificity of 99.6% (95% CI: 97.6-100%), with 20 (7.6%) invalid results. Among 416 reporting oral-fluid-based HIVST results 18 (4.3%) were HIV-positive. Oral-fluid-based HIVST had sensitivity of 88.9% (95% CI: 65.3-98.6%) and specificity of 98.7% (95% CI: 97.1-99.6%), with no invalid results. CONCLUSIONS Offering both blood-based and oral-fluid-based HIVST resulted in high uptake when compared directly with provider-delivered testing. Both types of self-testing achieved high accuracy among users provided with a pre-test demonstration beforehand. Policymakers and donors need to adequately plan and budget for the sensitisation and support needed to optimise the introduction of new quality-assured blood-based HIVST products.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Webster Mavhu
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Moses K Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Augustin Choko
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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van der Boor CF, Taban D, Tol WA, Akellot J, Neuman M, Weiss HA, Greco G, Vassall A, May C, Nadkarni A, Kinyanda E, Roberts B, Fuhr DC. Correction: Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention for alcohol misuse and psychological distress in humanitarian settings: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Uganda. Trials 2024; 25:208. [PMID: 38515145 PMCID: PMC10958941 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08030-y] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catharina F van der Boor
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Dalili Taban
- HealthRight International, Plot 855, Mawanda Road -Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wietse A Tol
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Bartholinsgade 4, Bg. 9, 1356 København K, CSS, Bg. 9, Building: 9.2.16, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Josephine Akellot
- HealthRight International, Plot 855, Mawanda Road -Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Giulia Greco
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Anna Vassall
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Carl May
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Abhijit Nadkarni
- Centre for Global Mental Health (CGMH), Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Goa, India
| | - Eugene Kinyanda
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, PO Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bayard Roberts
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Daniela C Fuhr
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Achterstraße 30, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Mee P, Neuman M, Kumwenda M, Lora WS, Sikwese S, Sambo M, Fielding K, Indravudh PP, Hatzold K, Johnson C, Corbett EL, Desmond N. Experience of social harms among female sex workers following HIV self-test distribution in Malawi: results of a cohort study. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:978. [PMID: 38468208 PMCID: PMC10926537 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09178-3] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Malawi, female sex workers (FSW) have high HIV incidence and regular testing is suggested. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a safe and acceptable alternative to standard testing services. This study assessed; whether social harms were more likely to be reported after HIVST distribution to FSW by peer distributors than after facility-based HIV testing and whether FSW regretted HIVST use or experienced associated relationship problems. METHODS Peer HIVST distributors, who were FSW, were recruited in Blantyre district, Malawi between February and July 2017. Among HIVST recipients a prospective cohort was recruited. Interviews were conducted at baseline and at end-line, 3 months later. Participants completed daily sexual activity diaries. End-line data were analysed using logistic regression to assess whether regret or relationship problems were associated with HIVST use. Sexual activity data were analysed using Generalised Estimating Equations to assess whether HIVST use was temporally associated with an increase in social harms. RESULTS Of 265 FSW recruited and offered HIVST, 131 completed both interviews. Of these, 31/131(23.7%) reported initial regret after HIVST use, this reduced to 23/131(17.6%) at the 3-month follow-up. Relationship problems were reported by 12/131(9.2%). Regret about HIVST use was less commonly reported in those aged 26-35 years compared to those aged 16-25 years (OR immediate regret-0.40 95% CI 0.16-1.01) (OR current regret-0.22 95% CI 0.07 - 0.71) and was not associated with the HIVST result. There was limited evidence that reports of verbal abuse perpetrated by clients in the week following HIVST use were greater than when there was no testing in the preceding week. There was no evidence for increases in any other social harms. There was some evidence of coercion to test, most commonly initiated by the peer distributor. CONCLUSIONS Little evidence was found that the peer distribution model was associated with increased levels of social harms, however programmes aimed at reaching FSW need to carefully consider possible unintended consequences of their service delivery approaches, including the potential for peer distributors to coerce individuals to test or disclose their test results and alternative distribution models may need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mee
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, College of Health and Science, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Wezzie S Lora
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Simon Sikwese
- Pakachere Institute of Health and Development Communication, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Mwiza Sambo
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Pitchaya P Indravudh
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis, STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Simwinga M, Gwanu L, Hensen B, Sigande L, Mainga M, Phiri T, Mwanza E, Kabumbu M, Mulubwa C, Mwenge L, Bwalya C, Kumwenda M, Mubanga E, Mee P, Johnson CC, Corbett EL, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Ayles H, Taegtmeyer M. Lessons learned from implementation of four HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution models in Zambia: applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to understand impact of contextual factors on implementation. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:977. [PMID: 38448832 PMCID: PMC10916003 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09168-5] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Zambia has integrated HIV-self-testing (HIVST) into its Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) regulatory frameworks, few best practices to optimize the use of HIV self-testing to increase testing coverage have been documented. We conducted a prospective case study to understand contextual factors guiding implementation of four HIVST distribution models to inform scale-up in Zambia. METHODS We used the qualitative case study method to explore user and provider experiences with four HIVST distribution models (two secondary distribution models in Antenatal Care (ANC) and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) clinics, community-led, and workplace) to understand factors influencing HIVST distribution. Participants were purposefully selected based on their participation in HIVST and on their ability to provide rich contextual experience of the distribution models. Data were collected using observations (n = 31), group discussions (n = 10), and in-depth interviews (n = 77). Data were analyzed using the thematic approach and aligned to the four Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains. RESULTS Implementation of the four distribution models was influenced by an interplay of outer and inner setting factors. Inadequate compensation and incentives for distributors may have contributed to distributor attrition in the community-led and workplace HIVST models. Stockouts, experienced at the start of implementation in the secondary-distribution and community-led distribution models often disrupted distribution. The existence of policy and practices aided integration of HIVST in the workplace. External factors complimented internal factors for successful implementation. For instance, despite distributor attrition leading to excessive workload, distributors often multi-tasked to keep up with demand for kits, even though distribution points were geographically widespread in the workplace, and to a less extent in the community-led models. Use of existing communication platforms such as lunchtime and safety meetings to promote and distribute kits, peers to support distributors, reduction in trips by distributors to replenish stocks, increase in monetary incentives and reorganisation of stakeholder roles proved to be good adaptations. CONCLUSION HIVST distribution was influenced by a combination of contextual factors in variable ways. Understanding how the factors interacted in real world settings informed adaptations to implementation devised to minimize disruptions to distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bernadette Hensen
- Department of Public Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health Group, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Moses Kumwenda
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Ellen Mubanga
- National HIV/AID/STI/TB Council (NAC), Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Paul Mee
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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McGee K, d'Elbée M, Dekova R, Sande LA, Dube L, Masuku S, Dlamini M, Mangenah C, Mwenge L, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of distributing HIV self-testing kits in Eswatini through community and workplace models. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 22:976. [PMID: 38424538 PMCID: PMC10902928 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08694-y] [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: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluates the implementation and running costs of an HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution program in Eswatini. HIVST kits were delivered through community-based and workplace models using primary and secondary distribution. Primary clients could self-test onsite or offsite. This study presents total running economic costs of kit distribution per model between April 2019 and March 2020, and estimates average cost per HIVST kit distributed, per client self-tested, per client self-tested reactive, per client confirmed positive, and per client initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS Distribution data and follow-up phone interviews were analysed to estimate implementation outcomes. Results were presented for each step of the care cascade using best-case and worst-case scenarios. A top-down incremental cost-analysis was conducted from the provider perspective using project expenditures. Sensitivity and scenario analyses explored effects of economic and epidemiological parameters on average costs. RESULTS Nineteen thousand one hundred fifty-five HIVST kits were distributed to 13,031 individuals over a 12-month period, averaging 1.5 kits per recipient. 83% and 17% of kits were distributed via the community and workplace models, respectively. Clients reached via the workplace model were less likely to opt for onsite testing than clients in the community model (8% vs 29%). 6% of onsite workplace testers tested reactive compared to 2% of onsite community testers. Best-case scenario estimated 17,458 (91%) clients self-tested, 633 (4%) received reactive-test results, 606 (96%) linked to confirmatory testing, and 505 (83%) initiated ART. Personnel and HIVST kits represented 60% and 32% of total costs, respectively. Average costs were: per kit distributed US$17.23, per client tested US$18.91, per client with a reactive test US$521.54, per client confirmed positive US$550.83, and per client initiating ART US$708.60. Lower rates for testing, reactivity, and linkage to care in the worst-case scenario resulted in higher average costs along the treatment cascade. CONCLUSION This study fills a significant evidence gap regarding costs of HIVST provision along the client care cascade in Eswatini. Workplace and community-based distribution of HIVST accompanied with effective linkage to care strategies can support countries to reach cascade objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen McGee
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Linda A Sande
- Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Sanele Masuku
- Population Services International, Mbabane, Eswatini
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Cheryl Johnson
- World Health Organisation, Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Center for Global Heath and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, USA
- Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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van der Boor CF, Taban D, Tol WA, Akellot J, Neuman M, Weiss HA, Greco G, Vassall A, May C, Nadkarni A, Kinyanda E, Roberts B, Fuhr DC. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a transdiagnostic intervention for alcohol misuse and psychological distress in humanitarian settings: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in Uganda. Trials 2024; 25:148. [PMID: 38414078 PMCID: PMC10900822 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-07980-7] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The war in South Sudan has displaced more than four million people, with Uganda hosting the largest number of South Sudanese refugees. Research in Uganda has shown elevated levels of alcohol misuse and psychological distress among these refugees. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a trans-diagnostic scalable psychological intervention called Problem Management Plus (PM +) to reduce psychological distress among populations exposed to adversities. Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the CHANGE intervention, which builds on PM + , to also address alcohol misuse through problem-solving therapy and selected behavioural strategies for dealing with alcohol use disorders. We hypothesise that the CHANGE intervention together with enhanced usual care (EUC) will be superior to EUC alone in increasing the percentage of days abstinent. METHODS A parallel-arm individually randomised controlled trial will be conducted in the Rhino Camp and Imvepi settlements in Uganda. Five hundred adult male South Sudanese refugees with (i) elevated levels of alcohol use (between 8 and 20 on the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test [AUDIT]); and (ii) psychological distress (> 16 on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) will be randomly assigned 1:1 to EUC or CHANGE and EUC. CHANGE will be delivered by lay healthcare providers over 6 weeks. Outcomes will be assessed at 3 and 12 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome is the percentage of days abstinent, measured by the timeline follow-back measure at 3 months. Secondary outcomes include percentage of days abstinent at 12 months and alcohol misuse (measured by the AUDIT), psychological distress (i.e. depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder), functional disability, perpetration of intimate partner violence, and health economic indicators at 3 and 12 months. A mixed-methods process evaluation will investigate competency, dose, fidelity, feasibility, and acceptability. Primary analyses will be intention-to-treat. DISCUSSION CHANGE aims to address alcohol misuse and psychological distress with male refugees in a humanitarian setting. If it is proven to be effective, it can help fill an important under-researched gap in humanitarian service delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN ISRCTN10360385. Registered on 30 January 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina F van der Boor
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK.
| | - Dalili Taban
- HealthRight International, Plot 855, Mawanda Road -Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wietse A Tol
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Bartholinsgade 4, Bg. 9, 1356 København K, CSS, Bg. 9, Building: 9.2.16, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Josephine Akellot
- HealthRight International, Plot 855, Mawanda Road -Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Giulia Greco
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Anna Vassall
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Carl May
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Abhijit Nadkarni
- Centre for Global Mental Health (CGMH), Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Addictions Research Group, Sangath, Goa, India
| | - Eugene Kinyanda
- MRC/UVRI Uganda Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Plot 51-59 Nakiwogo Road, PO Box 49, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Bayard Roberts
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Daniela C Fuhr
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, WC1H 9SH, UK
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Achterstraße 30, 28359, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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Kalu N, Ross MW, Taegtmeyer M, Lamontagne E, Howell S, Neuman M. Association of same-sex criminalisation laws and national HIV policies with HIV testing in African MSM: an ecological single-level and multilevel cross-sectional study of sub-Saharan African countries. Sex Transm Infect 2024; 100:sextrans-2023-055964. [PMID: 38331571 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2023-055964] [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: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) remains high compared with the general population. Many countries in the region still criminalise consensual homosexual relationships, and some are yet to adopt WHO-recommended interventions for MSM into national HIV policies. This study examines how HIV testing of adult MSM in SSA varies according to the legal climate and presence of targeted HIV policy using data from the cross-sectional 2019 Global LGBTI Internet Survey study. METHODS Using data from 3191 MSM in 44 SSA countries, we assessed associations of legal climate and HIV policy with ever and recent HIV testing using linear ecological and logistic multilevel analyses. From the single-level analysis, we can compare our findings to previously reported data, then, extending to a two-level multilevel analysis, we account for the hierarchical structure of the population and simultaneously adjust for differences in context and composition in each country. We then test the sensitivity of our analyses to excluding countries from the model. RESULTS We find evidence that legalised same-sex relationships were associated with increased odds of ever testing (OR=2.00, 95% CI 1.04, 3.82) in multilevel analyses. We also find evidence of an association of targeted HIV policies with increased odds of ever testing (OR=2.49, 95% CI 1.12, 5.52). We did not find evidence of an association of the legal climate (OR=1.01, 95% CI 0.69, 1.46) and targeted HIV policies (OR=1.26, 95% CI 0.78, 2.04) with recent testing. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests elimination of discriminatory laws and policies might be important for increasing HIV status awareness of MSM, an important first step in epidemic control. Additionally, we highlight heterogeneity between South Africa and other SSA countries, which has implications for studying SSA countries as a homogeneous group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngozi Kalu
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael W Ross
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Sean Howell
- LGBT+ Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Kalu N, Ross MW, Taegtmeyer M, Spicer N, Adebajo S, Owolabi R, Lamontagne E, Howell S, Neuman M. Is Internalised Homonegativity associated with HIV testing and HIV risk behaviours of men who have sex with men: a multilevel cross-sectional study of sub-Saharan African countries. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e074791. [PMID: 38286695 PMCID: PMC10826579 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-074791] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed the associations of Internalised Homonegativity (IH) with HIV testing and risk behaviours of adult men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and effect modification by the legal climate. DESIGN We used data from the cross-sectional 2019 Global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI+) Internet survey study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Overall, the 2019 Global LGBTI Internet Survey collected data from 46 SSA countries. In this secondary analysis, we included data from 3191 MSM in 44 SSA countries as there were no eligible MSM responses in the 2 countries excluded. OUTCOME MEASURES Our response variables were self-reported binary indicators of ever tested for HIV, recently tested in the past 6 months (from those who reported ever testing), transactional sex (paying for and being paid for sex in the past 12 months), and unprotected anal sex (that is without a condom or pre-exposure prohylaxis (PrEP)) with a non-steady partner (in the past 3 months). RESULTS Our findings showed high levels of IH (range 1-7) in MSM across SSA (mean (SD)=5.3 (1.36)). We found that MSM with higher IH levels were more likely to have ever (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.18, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.35) and recently tested (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32) but no evidence of an association with paying for sex (aOR 1.00, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.12), selling sex (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.20) and unprotected sex (aOR 0.99, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.09). However, we observed that a favourable legal climate modifies the associations of IH and paying for sex (aOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.94). Increasing levels of IH had a negative association with paying for sex in countries where same-sex relationships are legal. We found no associations of IH with unprotected anal sex in the population surveyed. CONCLUSIONS We confirm that IH is widespread across SSA but in countries that legalise same-sex relationships, MSM were less likely to engage in transactional sex compared with those in countries where homosexuality is criminalised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngozi Kalu
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael W Ross
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Neil Spicer
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sylvia Adebajo
- An affiliate of the University of Maryland, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Rotimi Owolabi
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Sean Howell
- LGBT Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sorsdahl K, Van Der Westhuizen C, Hornsby N, Jacobs Y, Poole M, Neuman M, Weiss HA, Myers B. Project ASPIRE: A feasibility randomized controlled trial of a brief intervention for reducing risk of depression and alcohol-related harms among South African adolescents. Psychother Res 2024; 34:96-110. [PMID: 36736329 DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2023.2169083] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Brief interventions could reduce adolescents' risk of depression and alcohol-related harms, but evidence of their feasibility and acceptability for low-and middle-income countries is lacking. To address this gap, we conducted a feasibility trial of the ASPIRE intervention, a four-session multi-component counselling intervention for South African adolescents. METHOD We recruited 117 adolescents who met our inclusion criteria. Participants were randomly assigned to the ASPIRE intervention or a comparison condition. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, six-week, and three-month post-randomization time points. Primary outcomes were based on feasibility of study procedures and intervention delivery (assessed on seven predetermined progression criteria). Clinical outcomes (risk of depression and alcohol harms) were secondary. RESULTS Despite modifications to all study procedures arising from Covid-19 restrictions, five of the seven key progression criteria were fully met, including: feasibility of data collection and outcome measures, counsellor competencies, randomization and blinding, adverse advents, and acceptability of the intervention. The progression criterion for recruitment and intervention retention were not fully met. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that the ASPIRE intervention was generally feasible to deliver and acceptable to adolescents. However, modifications to the trial design and intervention delivery are needed to optimize the validity of a definitive randomized controlled trial of the ASPIRE intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sorsdahl
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - C Van Der Westhuizen
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - N Hornsby
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Y Jacobs
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - M Poole
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - M Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - H A Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - B Myers
- Curtin enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
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Blas MM, Reinders S, Alva A, Neuman M, Lange I, Huicho L, Ronsmans C. Effect of the Mamás del Río programme on essential newborn care: a three-year before-and-after outcome evaluation of a community-based, maternal and neonatal health intervention in the Peruvian Amazon. Lancet Reg Health Am 2023; 28:100634. [PMID: 38076412 PMCID: PMC10701122 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100634] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Background Despite remarkable progress in maternal and neonatal health, regional inequalities persist in Peru. In rural areas of Amazonian Loreto, access to quality care is difficult, home births are frequent, and neonatal mortality is high. We conducted a prospective before-and-after study to assess the effect after implementation and over time of a community-based intervention on essential newborn care (ENC). Methods Mamás del Río consists of tablet-enhanced educational home visits by Community health workers (CHW) to pregnant women and mothers of newborns, with supportive training on ENC of traditional birth attendants and facility staff. The study area comprised 79 rural communities of three districts in Loreto. Primary outcomes were ENC practices in home births, secondary outcomes were ENC in facility births as well as healthcare seeking, measured at baseline before and at year 2 and year 3 after intervention implementation. Community censuses included questionnaires to women aged 15-49 years with a live birth. We calculated prevalence of outcomes at each time point and estimated adjusted prevalence differences (PD) between time points using post-estimation based on logistic regression. Findings Following implementation early 2019, 97% of communities had a trained CHW. At year 2 follow-up, 63% (322/530) of women received a CHW visit during pregnancy. Seven out of nine ENC indicators among home births improved, with largest adjusted prevalence differences in immediate skin-to-skin contact (50% [95% CI: 42-58], p < 0.0001), colostrum feeding (45% [35-54], p < 0.0001), and cord care (19% [10-28], p = 0.0001). Improvements were maintained at year 3, except for cord care. At year 2, among facility births only three ENC indicators improved, while more women gave birth in a facility. Sensitivity analyses showed ENC prevalence was similar before compared to after onset of Covid-19 lockdown. Interpretation ENC practices in home births improved consistently and changes were sustained over time, despite the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. A community-based approach for behaviour-change in home-based newborn care appears effective. Process evaluation of mechanisms will help to explain observed effects and understand transferability of findings. Funding Grand Challenges Canada and Peruvian National Council of Science and Technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magaly M. Blas
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Stefan Reinders
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Angela Alva
- School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Isabelle Lange
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luis Huicho
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Materna e Infantil, Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral y Sostenible, and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Carine Ronsmans
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Mathur S, Weiss HA, Neuman M, Leurent B, Field AP, Shetty T, J. JE, Nair P, Mathews R, Malik K, Michelson D, Patel V. Developing knowledge-based psychotherapeutic competencies in non-specialist providers: A pre-post study with a nested randomised controlled trial of a coach-supported versus self-guided digital training course for a problem-solving psychological intervention in India. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e87. [PMID: 38161749 PMCID: PMC10755375 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2023.81] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated a digital learning programme for non-specialists to develop knowledge-based competencies in a problem-solving intervention for adolescents to examine the overall impact of training on knowledge-based competencies among learners; and to compare the effects of two training conditions (self-guided digital training with or without coaching) in a nested parallel, two-arm, individually randomised controlled trial. Eligible participants were 18 or older; fluent in Hindi or English; able to access digital training; and had no prior experience of delivering structured psychotherapies. 277 participants were enrolled from 31 March 2022 to 19 June 2022 of which 230 (83%) completed the study. There was a significant increase in competency score from pre-training (Mean = 7.01, SD = 3.29) to post-training (Mean = 8.88, SD = 3.80), 6 weeks after the pre-training assessment. Knowledge competency scores showed larger increase among participants randomised to the coaching arm (AMD = 1.09, 95% CI 0.26-1.92, p = 0.01) with an effect size (d) of 0.33 (95% CI 0.08-0.58). More participants completed training in the coaching arm (n = 96, 69.6%) compared to the self-guided training arm (n = 56, 40.3%). In conclusion, a coach-supported remote digital training intervention is associated with enhanced participation by learners and increased psychotherapeutic knowledge competencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Helen A. Weiss
- Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Medical Research Council International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Baptiste Leurent
- Department of Statistical Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andy P. Field
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Kanika Malik
- Jindal School of Psychology and Counselling, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat, India
| | - Daniel Michelson
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Vikram Patel
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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12
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Thomas KA, Sibanda EL, Johnson C, Watadzaushe C, Ncube G, Hatzold K, Tumushime MK, Mutseta M, Ruhode N, Indravudh PP, Cowan FM, Neuman M. Do community measures impact the effectiveness of a community led HIV testing intervention. Secondary analysis of an HIV self-testing intervention in rural communities in Zimbabwe. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 22:974. [PMID: 37907871 PMCID: PMC10617038 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08695-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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of evidence for the role that communities can have in producing beneficial health outcomes. There is also an increasing recognition of the effectiveness and success of community-led interventions to promote public health efforts. This study investigated whether and how community-level measures facilitate a community-led intervention to achieve improved HIV outcomes. METHODS This is a secondary analysis of survey data from a cluster randomised trial in 40 rural communities in Zimbabwe. The survey was conducted four months after the intervention was initiated. Communities were randomised 1:1 to either paid distribution arm, where HIV self-test (HIVST) kits were distributed by a paid distributor, or community-led whereby members of the community were responsible for organising and conducting the distribution of HIVST kits. We used mixed effects logistic regression to assess the effect of social cohesion, problem solving, and HIV awareness on HIV testing and prevention. RESULTS We found no association between community measures and the three HIV outcomes (self-testing, new HIV diagnosis and linkage to VMMC or confirmatory testing). However, the interaction analyses highlighted that in high social cohesion communities, the odds of new HIV diagnosis was greater in the community-led arm than paid distribution arm (OR 2.06 95% CI 1.03-4.19). CONCLUSION We found some evidence that community-led interventions reached more undiagnosed people living with HIV in places with high social cohesion. Additional research should seek to understand whether the effect of social cohesion is persistent across other community interventions and outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION PACTR201607001701788.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Getrude Ncube
- Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mary K Tumushime
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Miriam Mutseta
- Department of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Innovations, Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nancy Ruhode
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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Krug C, Neuman M, Rosen JE, Weinberger M, Wallach S, Lagaay M, Punton M, Prakash A, Nsanya MK, Ayieko P, Kapiga S, Ajayi YP, Crawford EE, Tenaw E, Mussa M, Shrestha SK, Bottomley C, Hargreaves JR, Doyle AM. Effect and cost-effectiveness of human-centred design-based approaches to increase adolescent uptake of modern contraceptives in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania: Population-based, quasi-experimental studies. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0002347. [PMID: 37851610 PMCID: PMC10584105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Around half of adolescent pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries are unintended, contributing to millions of unsafe abortions per year. Adolescents 360 (A360), a girl-centred initiative, aimed to increase voluntary uptake of modern contraceptives among adolescents in Nigeria, Ethiopia and Tanzania. We evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of A360 in increasing modern contraceptive use in selected geographies. We used before-and-after cross-sectional studies of adolescent girls in four settings. Two Nigerian settings had purposefully selected comparison areas. Baseline and endline household surveys were conducted. The primary study outcome was modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR). Secondary outcomes mapped onto the A360 Theory of Change. Interpretation was aided by a process evaluation along with secular mCPR trends and self-reported A360 exposure data. Incremental design and implementation costs were calculated from implementer systems, site visits, surveys, and interviews. mCPR change was modelled into maternal disability-adjusted life years (DALY) averted to calculate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. In Oromia, Ethiopia, mCPR increased by 5% points (95% CI 1-10; n = 1,697). In Nigeria, there was no evidence of an effect of A360 on mCPR in Nasarawa (risk ratio: 0·96, 95% CI: 0·76-1·21; n = 5,414) or in Ogun (risk ratio: 1·08, 95% CI: 0·92-1·26; n = 3,230). In Mwanza, Tanzania, mCPR decreased by 9% points (-17 to -0.3; n = 1,973). Incremental cost per DALY averted were $30,855 in Oromia, $111,416 in Nasarawa, $30,114 in Ogun, and $25,579 in Mwanza. Costs per DALY averted were 14-53 times gross domestic product per capita. A360 did not lead to increased adolescent use of modern contraceptives at a population level, except in Oromia, and was not cost-effective. This novel adolescent-centred design approach showed some promise in addressing the reproductive health needs of adolescents, but must be accompanied by efforts to address the contextual drivers of low modern contraceptive use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Krug
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Annapoorna Prakash
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mussa Kelvin Nsanya
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Philip Ayieko
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London, United Kingdom
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | - Saidi Kapiga
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Mwanza Intervention Trials Unit, National Institute for Medical Research, Mwanza, Tanzania
| | | | | | | | | | - Som Kumar Shrestha
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Bottomley
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London, United Kingdom
| | - James R. Hargreaves
- Department of Public Health, Environment and Society Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aoife Margaret Doyle
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London, United Kingdom
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Reinders S, Blas MM, Neuman M, Huicho L, Ronsmans C. Prevalence of essential newborn care in home and facility births in the Peruvian Amazon: analysis of census data from programme evaluation in three remote districts of the Loreto region. Lancet Reg Health Am 2022; 18:100404. [PMID: 36844009 PMCID: PMC9950545 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2022.100404] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Essential newborn care (ENC) covers optimal breastfeeding, thermal care, and hygienic cord care. These practices are fundamental to save newborn lives. Despite neonatal mortality remaining high in some parts of Peru, no comprehensive data on ENC is available. We sought to estimate the prevalence of ENC and assess differences between facility and home births in the remote Peruvian Amazon. Methods We used baseline data from a household census of rural communities of three districts in Loreto region, collected as part of the evaluation of a maternal-neonatal health (MNH) programme. Women between 15 and 49 years with a live birth in the last 12 months were invited to complete a questionnaire about MNH-related care and ENC. Prevalence of ENC was calculated for all births and disaggregated by place of birth. Adjusted prevalence differences (PD) were post-estimated from logistic regression models on the effect of place of birth on ENC. Findings All 79 rural communities with a population of 14,474 were censused. Among 324 (>99%) women interviewed, 70% gave birth at home, most (93%) without skilled birth assistance. Among all births, prevalence was lowest for immediate skin-to-skin contact (24%), colostrum feeding (47%), and early breastfeeding (64%). ENC was consistently lower in home compared to facility births. After adjusting for confounders, largest PD were found for immediate skin-to-skin contact (50% [95% CI: 38-62]), colostrum feeding (26% [16-36]), and clean cord care (23% [14-32]). ENC prevalence in facilities ranged between 58 and 93%; delayed bathing was lower compared to home births (-19% [-31 to -7]). Interpretation Low prevalence of ENC practices among home births in a setting with high neonatal mortality and difficult access to quality care in facilities suggests potential for a community-based intervention to promote ENC practices at home, along with promotion of healthcare seeking and simultaneous strengthening of routine facility care. Funding Grand Challenges Canada and Peruvian National Council of Science, Technology, and Technology Innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Reinders
- Epidemiology, STD and HIV Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú,Corresponding author. Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK.
| | - Magaly M. Blas
- Epidemiology, STD and HIV Unit, School of Public Health and Administration, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK,MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Luis Huicho
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Materna e Infantil, Centro de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral y Sostenible, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Carine Ronsmans
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Indravudh PP, Terris-Prestholt F, Neuman M, Kumwenda MK, Chilongosi R, Johnson CC, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Fielding K. Understanding mechanisms of impact from community-led delivery of HIV self-testing: Mediation analysis of a cluster-randomised trial in Malawi. PLOS Glob Public Health 2022; 2:e0001129. [PMID: 36962622 PMCID: PMC10021599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Community HIV strategies are important for early diagnosis and treatment, with new self-care technologies expanding the types of services that can be led by communities. We evaluated mechanisms underlying the impact of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing (HIVST) using mediation analysis. We conducted a cluster-randomised trial allocating 30 group village heads and their catchment areas to the community-led HIVST intervention in addition to the standard of care (SOC) or the SOC alone. The intervention used participatory approaches to engage established community health groups to lead the design and implementation of HIVST campaigns. Potential mediators (individual perceptions of social cohesion, shared HIV concern, critical consciousness, community HIV stigma) and the outcome (HIV testing in the last 3 months) were measured through a post-intervention survey. Analysis used regression-based models to test (i) intervention-mediator effects, (ii) mediator-outcome effects, and (iii) direct and indirect effects. The survey included 972 and 924 participants in the community-led HIVST and SOC clusters, respectively. The community-led HIVST intervention increased uptake of recent HIV testing, with no evidence of indirect effects from changes in hypothesised mediators. However, standardised scores for community cohesion (adjusted mean difference [MD] 0.15, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.32, p = 0.10) and shared concern for HIV (adjusted MD 0.13, 95% CI -0.02 to 0.29, p = 0.09) were slightly higher in the community-led HIVST arm than the SOC arm. Social cohesion, community concern, and critical consciousness also apparently had a quadratic association with recent testing in the community-led HIVST arm, with a positive relationship indicated at lower ranges of each score. We found no evidence of intervention effects on community HIV stigma and its association with recent testing. We conclude that the intervention effect mostly operated directly through community-driven service delivery of a novel HIV technology rather than through intermediate effects on perceived community mobilisation and HIV stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P. Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Moses K. Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Mathur S, Weiss HA, Neuman M, Field AP, Leurent B, Shetty T, J JE, Nair P, Mathews R, Malik K, Michelson D, Patel V. A pre-and-post study with a nested randomised controlled trial of a coach-supported versus self-guided digital training course for a problem-solving psychological intervention for non-specialists: Study protocol (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022. [DOI: 10.2196/41981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
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Neuman M, Mwinga A, Kapaku K, Sigande L, Gotsche C, Taegtmeyer M, Dacombe R, Maluzi K, Kosloff B, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Ayles H. Sensitivity and specificity of OraQuick® HIV self-test compared to a 4th generation laboratory reference standard algorithm in urban and rural Zambia. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:494. [PMID: 35614397 PMCID: PMC9134574 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07457-5] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) has the potential to increase coverage of HIV testing, but concerns exist about intended users' ability to correctly perform and interpret tests, especially in poor communities with low literacy rates. We assessed the clinical performance of the 2016 prototype OraQuick® HIV Self-Test in rural and urban communities in Zambia to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the test compared to the national HIV rapid diagnostic test (RDT) algorithm and a laboratory reference standard using 4th generation enzyme immunoassays and HIV RNA detection. METHODS Participants were recruited from randomly selected rural and urban households and one urban health facility between May 2016 and June 2017. Participants received a brief demonstration of the self-test, and then self-tested without further assistance. The research team re-read the self-test, repeated the self-test, drew blood for the laboratory reference, and conducted RDTs following the national HIV testing algorithm (Determine™ HIV1/2 (Alere) confirmed using Unigold™ HIV1/2 (Trinity Biotech)). Selected participants (N = 85) were videotaped whilst conducting the testing to observe common errors. RESULTS Initial piloting showed that written instructions alone were inadequate, and a demonstration of self-test use was required. Of 2,566 self-test users, 2,557 (99.6%) were able to interpret their result. Of participants who were videoed 75/84 (89.3%) completed all steps of the procedure correctly. Agreement between the user-read result and the researcher-read result was 99.1%. Compared to the RDT algorithm, user-conducted HIVST was 94.1% sensitive (95%CI: 90.2-96.7) and 99.7% specific (95%CI: 99.3-99.9). Compared to the laboratory reference, both user-conducted HIVST (sensitivity 87.5%, 95%CI: 82.70-91.3; specificity 99.7%, 95%CI: 99.4-99.9) and the national RDT algorithm (sensitivity 93.4%, 95%CI: 89.7-96.1%; specificity 100% (95%CI: 99.8-100%) had considerably lower sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Self-testers in Zambia who used OraQuick® HIV Self-Test achieved reasonable clinical performance compared to the national RDT algorithm. However, sensitivity of the self-test was reduced compared to a laboratory reference standard, as was the national RDT algorithm. In-person demonstration, along with the written manufacturer instructions, was needed to obtain accurate results. Programmes introducing self-care diagnostics should pilot and optimise support materials to ensure they are appropriately adapted to context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Alwyn Mwinga
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kezia Kapaku
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Lucheka Sigande
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Caroline Gotsche
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Pl, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
- Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, L7 8XP, UK
| | - Russell Dacombe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Pl, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
| | - Kwitaka Maluzi
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Barry Kosloff
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- PSI-South Africa, 70, 7th Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Helen Ayles
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group and Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Zambart, University of Zambia School of Public Health, Ridgeway Campus, Off Nationalist Road, Lusaka, Zambia
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Llewellyn S, Neuman M, Lyon C, DeSanto K. Patient Education Interventions Improve A1C Values. Am Fam Physician 2022; 105:428-429. [PMID: 35426637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean Llewellyn
- University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Melissa Neuman
- University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Corey Lyon
- University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Kristen DeSanto
- University of Colorado Health Sciences Library, Denver, CO, USA
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Rotsaert A, Sibanda E, Hatzold K, Johnson C, Corbett E, Neuman M, Cowan F. Did you hear about HIV self-testing? HIV self-testing awareness after community-based HIVST distribution in rural Zimbabwe. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:51. [PMID: 35027000 PMCID: PMC8895763 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07027-9] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several trials of community-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) provide evidence on the acceptability and feasibility of campaign-style distribution to reach first-time testers, men and adolescents. However, we do not know how many remain unaware of HIVST after distribution campaigns, and who these individuals are. Here we look at factors associated with never having heard of HIVST after community-based campaign-style HIVST distribution in rural Zimbabwe between September 2016 and July 2017. METHODS Analysis of representative population-based trial survey data collected from 7146 individuals following community-based HIVST distribution to households was conducted. Factors associated with having never heard of HIVST were determined using multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression adjusted for clustered design. RESULTS Among survey participants, 1308 (18.3%) self-reported having never heard of HIVST. Individuals who were between 20 and 60 years old {20-29 years: [aOR = 0.74, 95% CI (0.58-0.95)], 30-39 years: [aOR = 0.56, 95% CI (0.42-0.74)], 40-49 years: [aOR = 0.50, 95% CI (0.36-0.68)], 50-59 years [aOR = 0.58, 95% CI (0.42-0.82)]}, who had attained at least ordinary level education [aOR = 0.51, 95% CI (0.34-0.76)], and who had an HIV test before [aOR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.25-0.37)] were less likely to have never heard of HIVST compared with individuals who were between 16 and 19 years old, who had a lower educational level and who had never tested for HIV before, respectively. In addition, non-household heads or household head representatives [aOR = 1.21, 95% CI (1.01-1.45)] were more likely to report never having heard of HIVST compared to household head and representatives. CONCLUSIONS Around one fifth of survey participants remain unaware of HIVST even after an intensive community-based door-to-door HIVST distribution. Of note, those least likely to have heard of self-testing were younger, less educated and less likely to have tested previously. Household heads appear to play an important role in granting or denying access to self-testing to other household members during door-to-door distribution. Differentiated distribution models are needed to ensure access to all. Trial registration PACTR, PACTR201607001701788. Registered 29 June 2016, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/ PACTR201607001701788.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Rotsaert
- Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Euphemia Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research and Infection Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research and Infection Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frances Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Webb KA, Mavhu W, Langhaug L, Chitiyo V, Matyanga P, Charashika P, Patel D, Prost A, Ferrand RA, Bernays S, Cislaghi B, Neuman M. 'I was trying to get there, but I couldn't': social norms, vulnerability and lived experiences of home delivery in Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:1441-1450. [PMID: 34139011 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing facility-based delivery rates is pivotal to reach Sustainable Development Goals to improve skilled attendance at birth and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The translation of global health initiatives into national policy and programmes has increased facility-based deliveries in LMICs, but little is known about the impact of such policies on social norms from the perspective of women who continue to deliver at home. This qualitative study explores the reasons for and experiences of home delivery among women living in rural Zimbabwe. We analysed qualitative data from 30 semi-structured interviews and 5 focus group discussions with women who had delivered at home in the previous 6 months in Mashonaland Central Province. We found evidence of strong community-level social norms in favour of facility-based delivery. However, despite their expressed intention to deliver at a facility, women described how multiple, interacting vulnerabilities resulted in delivery outside of a health facility. While identified as having delivered 'at home', narratives of birth experiences revealed the majority of women in our study delivered 'on the road', en route to the health facility. Strong norms for facility-based delivery created punishments and stigmatization for home delivery, which introduced additional risk to women at the time of delivery and in the postnatal period. These consequences for breaking social norms promoting facility-based delivery for all further increased the vulnerability of women who delivered at home or on the road. Our findings highlight that equitable public health policy and programme designs should include efforts to actively identify, mitigate and evaluate unintended consequences of social change created as a by-product of promoting positive health behaviours among those most vulnerable who are unable to comply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen A Webb
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), 20 Cork Road, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - W Mavhu
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), 4 Bath Rd, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA UK
| | - L Langhaug
- Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, 16 Lauchlan Avenue, Meyrick Park, Mabelreign, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - V Chitiyo
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), 20 Cork Road, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - P Matyanga
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), 20 Cork Road, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - P Charashika
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), 20 Cork Road, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - D Patel
- Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), 20 Cork Road, Belgravia, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - A Prost
- University College London, London, UK
| | - Rashida A Ferrand
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute (BRTI), 10 Seagrave Road, Avondale, Harare
| | - S Bernays
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- University of Sydney, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006, Australia
| | - B Cislaghi
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - M Neuman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
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21
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Mavhu W, Neuman M, Hatzold K, Buzuzi S, Maringwa G, Chabata ST, Mangenah C, Taruberekera N, Madidi N, Munjoma M, Ncube G, Xaba S, Mugurungi O, Johnson CC, Corbett EL, Weiss HA, Fielding K, Cowan FM. Innovative demand creation strategies to increase voluntary medical male circumcision uptake: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial in Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-006141. [PMID: 34275877 PMCID: PMC8287600 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006141] [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: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reaching men aged 20-35 years, the group at greatest risk of HIV, with voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) remains a challenge. We assessed the impact of two VMMC demand creation approaches targeting this age group in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). METHODS We conducted a 2×2 factorial RCT comparing arms with and without two interventions: (1) standard demand creation augmented by human-centred design (HCD)-informed approach; (2) standard demand creation plus offer of HIV self-testing (HIVST). Interpersonal communication (IPC) agents were the unit of randomisation. We observed implementation of demand creation over 6 months (1 May to 31 October 2018), with number of men circumcised assessed over 7 months. The primary outcome was the number of men circumcised per IPC agent using the as-treated population of actual number of months each IPC agent worked. We conducted a mixed-methods process evaluation within the RCT. RESULTS We randomised 140 IPC agents, 35 in each arm. 132/140 (94.3%) attended study training and 105/132 (79.5%) reached at least one client during the trial period and were included in final analysis. There was no evidence that the HCD-informed intervention increased VMMC uptake versus no HCD-informed intervention (incident rate ratio (IRR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.38 to 2.02; p=0.75). Nor did offering men a HIVST kit at time of VMMC mobilisation (IRR 0.65, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.50; p=0.31). Among IPC agents that reported reaching at least one man with demand creation, both the HCD-informed intervention and HIVST were deemed useful. There were some challenges with trial implementation; <50% of IPC agents converted any men to VMMC, which undermined our ability to show an effect of demand creation and may reflect acceptability and feasibility of the interventions. CONCLUSION This RCT did not show evidence of an effect of HCD-informed demand intervention or HIVST on VMMC uptake. Findings will inform future design and implementation of demand creation evaluations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201804003064160.
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Affiliation(s)
- Webster Mavhu
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe .,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Stephen Buzuzi
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Galven Maringwa
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Sungai T Chabata
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Malvern Munjoma
- Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | | | | | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katherine Fielding
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Neuman M, Hensen B, Mwinga A, Chintu N, Fielding KL, Handima N, Hatzold K, Johnson C, Mulubwa C, Nalubamba M, Otte im Kampe E, Simwinga M, Smith G, Tsamwa D, Corbett EL, Ayles H. Does community-based distribution of HIV self-tests increase uptake of HIV testing? Results of pair-matched cluster randomised trial in Zambia. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2020-004543. [PMID: 34275868 PMCID: PMC8287620 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004543] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ending HIV by 2030 is a global priority. Achieving this requires alternative HIV testing strategies, such as HIV self-testing (HIVST) to reach all individuals with HIV testing services (HTS). We present the results of a trial evaluating the impact of community-based distribution of HIVST in community and facility settings on the uptake of HTS in rural and urban Zambia. DESIGN Pair-matched cluster randomised trial. METHODS In catchment areas of government health facilities, OraQuick HIVST kits were distributed by community-based distributors (CBDs) over 12 months in 2016-2017. Within matched pairs, clusters were randomised to receive the HIVST intervention or standard of care (SOC). Individuals aged ≥16 years were eligible for HIVST. Within communities, CBDs offered HIVST in high traffic areas, door to door and at healthcare facilities. The primary outcome was self-reported recent testing within the previous 12 months measured using a population-based survey. RESULTS In six intervention clusters (population 148 541), 60 CBDs distributed 65 585 HIVST kits. A recent test was reported by 66% (1622/2465) in the intervention arm compared with 60% (1456/2429) in SOC arm (adjusted risk ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.24; p=0.15). Uptake of the HIVST intervention was low: 24% of respondents in the intervention arm (585/2493) used an HIVST kit in the previous 12 months. No social harms were identified during implementation. CONCLUSION Despite distributing a large number of HIVST kits, we found no evidence that this community-based HIVST distribution intervention increased HTS uptake. Other models of HIVST distribution, including secondary distribution and community-designed distribution models, provide alternative strategies to reach target populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT02793804).
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Bernadette Hensen
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Namwinga Chintu
- Society for Family Health, Lusaka, Zambia,Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Eveline Otte im Kampe
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Gina Smith
- Society for Family Health, Lusaka, Zambia,Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Helen Ayles
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK,Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
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Choko AT, Fielding K, Johnson CC, Kumwenda MK, Chilongosi R, Baggaley RC, Nyirenda R, Sande LA, Desmond N, Hatzold K, Neuman M, Corbett EL. Partner-delivered HIV self-test kits with and without financial incentives in antenatal care and index patients with HIV in Malawi: a three-arm, cluster-randomised controlled trial. Lancet Glob Health 2021; 9:e977-e988. [PMID: 34143996 PMCID: PMC8220130 DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00175-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits by patients attending clinic services to their partners could improve the rate of HIV diagnosis. We aimed to investigate whether secondary administration of HIVST kits, with or without an additional financial incentive, via women receiving antenatal care (ANC) or via people newly diagnosed with HIV (ie, index patients) could improve the proportion of male partners tested or the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV. METHODS We did a three-arm, open-label, pragmatic, cluster-randomised trial of 27 health centres (clusters), eligible if they were a government primary health centre providing ANC, HIV testing, and ART services, across four districts of Malawi. We recruited women (aged ≥18 years) attending their first ANC visit and whose male partner was available, not already taking ART, and not already tested for HIV during this pregnancy (ANC cohort), and people (aged ≥18 years) with newly diagnosed HIV during routine clinic HIV testing who had at least one sexual contact not already known to be HIV-positive (index cohort). Centres were randomly assigned (1:1:1), using a public selection of computer-generated random allocations, to enhanced standard of care (including an invitation for partners to attend HIV testing services), HIVST only, or HIVST plus a US$10 financial incentive for retesting. The primary outcome for the ANC cohort was the proportion of male partners reportedly tested, as ascertained by interview with women in this cohort at day 28. The primary outcome for the index cohort was the geometric mean number of new HIV-positive people identified per facility within 28 days of enrolment, as measured by observed HIV test results. Cluster-level summaries compared intervention with standard of care by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03705611. FINDINGS Between Sept 8, 2018, and May 2, 2019, nine clusters were assigned to each trial arm, resulting in 4544 eligible women in the ANC cohort (1447 [31·8%] in the standard care group, 1465 [32·2%] in the HIVST only group, and 1632 [35·9%] in HIVST plus financial incentive group) and 708 eligible patients in the index cohort (234 [33·1%] in the standard care group, 169 [23·9%] in the HIVST only group, and 305 [42·9%] in the HIVST plus financial incentive group). 4461 (98·2%) of 4544 eligible women in the ANC cohort and 645 (91·1%) of 708 eligible patients in the index cohort were recruited, of whom 3378 (75·7%) in the ANC cohort and 439 (68·1%) in the index cohort were interviewed after 28 days. In the ANC cohort, the mean proportion of reported partner testing per cluster was 35·0% (SD 10·0) in the standard care group, 73·0% in HIVST only group (13·1, adjusted risk ratio [RR] 1·71, 95% CI 1·48-1·98; p<0·0001), and 65·2% in the HIVST plus financial incentive group (11·6, adjusted RR 1·62, 1·45-1·81; p<0·0001). In the index cohort, the geometric mean number of new HIV-positive sexual partners per cluster was 1·35 (SD 1·62) for the standard care group, 1·91 (1·78) for the HIVST only group (incidence rate ratio adjusted for number eligible as an offset in the negative binomial model 1·65, 95% CI 0·49-5·55; p=0·3370), and 3·20 (3·81) for the HIVST plus financial incentive group (3·11, 0·99-9·77; p=0·0440). Four self-resolving, temporary marital separations occurred due to disagreement in couples regarding HIV self-test kits. INTERPRETATION Although administration of HIVST kits in the ANC cohort, even when offered alongside a financial incentive, did not identify significantly more male patients with HIV than did standard care, out-of-clinic options for HIV testing appear more acceptable to many male partners of women with HIV, increasing test uptake. Viewed in the current context, this approach might allow continuation of services despite COVID-19-related lockdowns. FUNDING Unitaid, through the Self-Testing Africa Initiative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustine T Choko
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi.
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Moses K Kumwenda
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Rachel C Baggaley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rose Nyirenda
- Department of HIV-AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Linda A Sande
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi; Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi; Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Chichiri, Blantyre, Malawi; Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Shahmanesh M, Mthiyane TN, Herbsst C, Neuman M, Adeagbo O, Mee P, Chimbindi N, Smit T, Okesola N, Harling G, McGrath N, Sherr L, Seeley J, Subedar H, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Cowan FM, Corbett EL. Effect of peer-distributed HIV self-test kits on demand for biomedical HIV prevention in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a three-armed cluster-randomised trial comparing social networks versus direct delivery. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e004574. [PMID: 34315730 PMCID: PMC8317107 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE We investigated two peer distribution models of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in HIV prevention demand creation compared with trained young community members (peer navigators). METHODS We used restricted randomisation to allocate 24 peer navigator pairs (clusters) in KwaZulu-Natal 1:1:1: (1) standard of care (SOC): peer navigators distributed clinic referrals, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) information to 18-30 year olds. (2) peer navigator direct distribution (PND): Peer navigators distributed HIVST packs (SOC plus two OraQuick HIVST kits) (3) incentivised peer networks (IPN): peer navigators recruited young community members (seeds) to distribute up to five HIVST packs to 18-30 year olds within their social networks. Seeds received 20 Rand (US$1.5) for each recipient who distributed further packs. The primary outcome was PrEP/ART linkage, defined as screening for PrEP/ART eligibility within 90 days of pack distribution per peer navigator month (pnm) of outreach, in women aged 18-24 (a priority for HIV prevention). Investigators and statisticians were blinded to allocation. Analysis was intention to treat. Total and unit costs were collected prospectively. RESULTS Between March and December 2019, 4163 packs (1098 SOC, 1480 PND, 1585 IPN) were distributed across 24 clusters. During 144 pnm, 272 18-30 year olds linked to PrEP/ART (1.9/pnm). Linkage rates for 18-24-year-old women were lower for IPN (n=26, 0.54/pnm) than PND (n=45, 0.80/pnm; SOC n=49, 0.85/pnm). Rate ratios were 0.68 (95% CI 0.28 to 1.66) for IPN versus PND, 0.64 (95% CI 0.26 to 1.62) for IPN versus SOC and 0.95 (95% CI 0.38 to 2.36) for PND versus SOC. In 18-30 year olds, PND had significantly more linkages than IPN (2.11 vs 0.88/pnm, RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.98). Cost per pack distributed was cheapest for IPN (US$36) c.f. SOC (US$64). Cost per person linked to PrEP/ART was cheaper in both peer navigator arms compared with IPN. DISCUSSION HIVST did not increase demand for PrEP/ART. Incentivised social network distribution reached large numbers with HIVST but resulted in fewer linkages compared with PrEP/ART promotion by peer navigators. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03751826.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shahmanesh
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Carina Herbsst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, London, UK
| | - Oluwafemi Adeagbo
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Paul Mee
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London, London, UK
| | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Theresa Smit
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Guy Harling
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
| | - Nuala McGrath
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
- Faculty of medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, Hampshire, UK
| | - Lorraine Sherr
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Janet Seeley
- Department of Global Health &Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Hasina Subedar
- South African National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, London, UK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
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Neuman M, Fielding KL, Ayles H, Cowan FM, Hensen B, Indravudh PP, Johnson C, Sibanda EL, Hatzold K, Corbett EL. ART initiations following community-based distribution of HIV self-tests: meta-analysis and meta-regression of STAR Initiative data. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e004986. [PMID: 34275871 PMCID: PMC8287607 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-004986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Measuring linkage after community-based testing, particularly HIV self-testing (HIVST), is challenging. Here, we use data from studies of community-based HIVST distribution, conducted within the STAR Initiative, to assess initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and factors driving differences in linkage rates. METHODS Five STAR studies evaluated HIVST implementation in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. New ART initiations during the months of intervention at clinics in HIVST and comparison areas were presented graphically, and study effects combined using meta-analysis. Meta-regression was used to estimate associations between the impact of community-based HIVST distribution and indicators of implementation context, intensity and reach. Effect size estimates used (1) prespecified trial definitions of ART timing and comparator facilities and (2) exploratory definitions accounting for unexpected diffusion of HIVST into comparison areas and periods with less distribution of HIVST than was expected. RESULTS Compared with arms with standard testing only, ART initiations were higher in clinics in HIVST distribution areas in 4/5 studies. The prespecified meta-analysis found positive but variable effects of HIVST on facility ART initiations (RR: 1.14, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.40; p=0.21). The exploratory meta-analysis found a stronger impact of HIVST distribution on ART initiations (RR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.55, p=0.02).ART initiations were higher in studies with greater self-reported population-level intensity of HIVST use (RR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.21; p=0.02.), but did not differ by national-level indicators of ART use among people living with HIV, number of HIVST kits distributed per 1000 population, or self-reported knowledge of how to link to care after a reactive HIVST. CONCLUSION Community-based HIVST distribution has variable effect on ART initiations compared with standard testing service alone. Optimising both support for and approach to measurement of effective and timely linkage or relinkage to HIV care and prevention following HIVST is needed to maximise impact and guide implementation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Pitchaya P Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust, Blantyre, Malawi
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Indravudh PP, Fielding K, Chilongosi R, Nzawa R, Neuman M, Kumwenda MK, Nyirenda R, Johnson CC, Taegtmeyer M, Desmond N, Hatzold K, Corbett EL. Effect of door-to-door distribution of HIV self-testing kits on HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation: a cluster randomised trial in Malawi. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2020-004269. [PMID: 34275866 PMCID: PMC8287599 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-004269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reaching high coverage of HIV testing remains essential for HIV diagnosis, treatment and prevention. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of door-to-door distribution of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits in rural Malawi. METHODS This cluster randomised trial, conducted between September 2016 and January 2018, used restricted 1:1 randomisation to allocate 22 health facilities and their defined areas to door-to-door HIVST alongside the standard of care (SOC) or the SOC alone. The study population included residents (≥16 years). HIVST kits were provided door-to-door by community-based distribution agents (CBDAs) for at least 12 months. The primary outcome was recent HIV testing (in the last 12 months) measured through an endline survey. Secondary outcomes were lifetime HIV testing and cumulative 16-month antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiations, which were captured at health facilities. Social harms were reported through community reporting systems. Analysis compared cluster-level outcomes by arm. RESULTS Overall, 203 CBDAs distributed 273 729 HIVST kits. The endline survey included 2582 participants in 11 HIVST clusters and 2908 participants in 11 SOC clusters. Recent testing was higher in the HIVST arm (68.5%, 1768/2582) than the SOC arm (48.9%, 1422/2908), with adjusted risk difference (RD) of 16.1% (95% CI 6.5% to 25.7%). Lifetime testing was also higher in the HIVST arm (86.9%, 2243/2582) compared with the SOC arm (78.5%, 2283/2908; adjusted RD 6.3%, 95% CI 2.3% to 10.3%). Differences were most pronounced for adolescents aged 16-19 years (adjusted RD 18.6%, 95% CI 7.3% to 29.9%) and men (adjusted RD 10.2%, 95% CI 3.1% to 17.2%). Cumulative incidence of ART initiation was 1187.2 and 909.0 per 100 000 population in the HIVST and SOC arms, respectively (adjusted RD 309.1, 95% CI -95.5 to 713.7). Self-reported HIVST use was 42.5% (1097/2582), with minimal social harms reported. CONCLUSION Door-to-door HIVST increased recent and lifetime testing at population level and showed high safety, underscoring potential for HIVST to contribute to HIV elimination goals in priority settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02718274.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK .,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg-Braamfontein, Gauteng, South Africa
| | | | - Rebecca Nzawa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Moses K Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Rose Nyirenda
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organization, Geneve, Switzerland.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK.,Tropical Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi.,Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sibanda EL, Neuman M, Tumushime M, Mangenah C, Hatzold K, Watadzaushe C, Mutseta MN, Dirawo J, Napierala S, Ncube G, Terris-Prestholt F, Taegtmeyer M, Johnson C, Fielding KL, Weiss HA, Corbett E, Cowan FM. Community-based HIV self-testing: a cluster-randomised trial of supply-side financial incentives and time-trend analysis of linkage to antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e003866. [PMID: 34275865 PMCID: PMC8287602 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) requires linkage to post-test services to maximise its benefits. We evaluated effect of supply-side incentivisation on linkage following community-based HIVST and evaluated time-trends in facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiations. METHODS From August 2016 to August 2017 community-based distributors (CBDs) in 38 rural Zimbabwean communities distributed HIVST door-to-door in 19-25 day campaigns. Communities were allocated (1:1) using constrained randomisation to either one-off US$50 remuneration per CBD (non-incentive arm), or US$50 plus US$0.20 incentive per client visiting mobile-outreach services (conditional-incentive arm). The primary outcome, assessed by population survey 6 weeks later, was self-reported uptake of any clinic service, analysed with random-effects logistic regression. Separately, non-randomised difference-in-differences in monthly ART initiations were analysed for three time periods (6 months baseline; HIVST campaign; 3 months after) at public clinics with (40 clinics) and without (124 clinics) HIVST distribution in catchment area. FINDINGS A total of 445 conditional-incentive CBDs distributed 39 205 HIVST kits (mean/CBD: 88; 95% CI: 85 to 92) and 447 non-incentive CBDs distributed 41 173 kits (mean/CBD: 93; 95% CI: 89 to 96). Survey participation was 7146/8566 (83.4%), with 3593 (50.3%) reporting self-testing including 1305 (18.3%) previously untested individuals. Use of clinic services post-HIVST was similar in conditional-incentive (1062/3698, 28.7%) and non-incentive (1075/3448, 31.2%) arms (adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86 to 1.03). Confirmatory testing by newly diagnosed/untreated HIVST+clients was, however, higher (conditional-incentive: 25/33, 75.8% vs non-incentive: 20/40, 50.0%: aRR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.39). In total, 12 808 ART initiations occurred, with no baseline or postcampaign differences between initiation rates in HIVST versus non-HIVST clinics, but initiation rates increased from 7.31 to 9.59 initiations per month in HIVST clinics during distribution, aRR: 1.27, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.39. CONCLUSIONS Community-based HIVST campaigns achieved high testing uptake, temporally associated with increased demand for ART. Small supply-side incentives did not affect general clinic usage but may have increased confirmatory testing for newly diagnosed HIVST positive participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201607001701788.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- HIV and Tuberculosis, Population Services International Global, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Miriam N Mutseta
- Department of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Innovations, Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Sue Napierala
- Women's Global Health Imperative, RTI International, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Getrude Ncube
- HIV and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helen A Weiss
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Faculty of Epidemiology and Public Health, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Frances M Cowan
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Sande LA, Matsimela K, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Choko AT, d'Elbée M, Majam M, Mostert C, Matamwandi I, Sibanda EL, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Ayles H, Cowan FM, Corbett EL, Neuman M, Maheswaran H, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of integrating HIV self-testing in public health facilities in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005191. [PMID: 34275874 PMCID: PMC8287606 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION As countries approach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, there is a need for innovative and cost-saving HIV testing approaches that can increase testing coverage in hard-to-reach populations. The HIV Self-Testing Africa-Initiative distributed HIV self-test (HIVST) kits using unincentivised HIV testing counsellors across 31 public facilities in Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. HIVST was distributed either through secondary (partner's use) distribution alone or primary (own use) and secondary distribution approaches. METHODS We evaluated the costs of adding HIVST to existing HIV testing from the providers' perspective in the 31 public health facilities across the four countries between 2018 and 2019. We combined expenditure analysis and bottom-up costing approaches. We also carried out time-and-motion studies on the counsellors to estimate the human resource costs of introducing and demonstrating how to use HIVST for primary and secondary use. RESULTS A total of 41 720 kits were distributed during the analysis period, ranging from 1254 in Zimbabwe to 27 678 in Zambia. The cost per kit distributed through the primary distribution approach was $4.27 in Zambia and $9.24 in Zimbabwe. The cost per kit distributed through the secondary distribution approach ranged from $6.46 in Zambia to $13.42 in South Africa, with a wider variation in the average cost at facility-level. From the time-and-motion observations, the counsellors spent between 20% and 44% of the observed workday on HIVST. Overall, personnel and test kit costs were the main cost drivers. CONCLUSION The average costs of distributing HIVST kits were comparable across the four countries in our analysis despite wide cost variability within countries. We recommend context-specific exploration of potential efficiency gains from these facility-level cost variations and demand creation activities to ensure continued affordability at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Alinafe Sande
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Public Health Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katleho Matsimela
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Centre for Sexual Health, HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Augustine Talumba Choko
- Public Health Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Mohammed Majam
- University of the Witwatersrand, Ezintsha, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cyprian Mostert
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health & Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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d'Elbée M, Gomez GB, Sande LA, Mwenge L, Mangenah C, Johnson C, Medley GF, Neuman M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Meyer-Rath G, Terris-Prestholt F. Modelling costs of community-based HIV self-testing programmes in Southern Africa at scale: an econometric cost function analysis across five countries. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005554. [PMID: 34275875 PMCID: PMC8287624 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005554] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following success demonstrated with the HIV Self-Testing AfRica Initiative, HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being added to national HIV testing strategies in Southern Africa. An analysis of the costs of scaling up HIVST is needed to inform national plans, but there is a dearth of evidence on methods for forecasting costs at scale from pilot projects. Econometric cost functions (ECFs) apply statistical inference to predict costs; however, we often do not have the luxury of collecting large amounts of location-specific data. We fit an ECF to identify key drivers of costs, then use a simpler model to guide cost projections at scale. METHODS We estimated the full economic costs of community-based HIVST distribution in 92 locales across Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho between June 2016 and June 2019. We fitted a cost function with determinants related to scale, locales organisational and environmental characteristics, target populations, and per capita Growth Domestic Product (GDP). We used models differing in data intensity to predict costs at scale. We compared predicted estimates with scale-up costs in Lesotho observed over a 2-year period. RESULTS The scale of distribution, type of community-based intervention, percentage of kits distributed to men, distance from implementer's warehouse and per capita GDP predicted average costs per HIVST kit distributed. Our model simplification approach showed that a parsimonious model could predict costs without losing accuracy. Overall, ECF showed a good predictive capacity, that is, forecast costs were close to observed costs. However, at larger scale, variations of programme efficiency over time (number of kits distributed per agent monthly) could potentially influence cost predictions. DISCUSSION Our empirical cost function can inform community-based HIVST scale-up in Southern African countries. Our findings suggest that a parsimonious ECF can be used to forecast costs at scale in the context of financial planning and budgeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc d'Elbée
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gabriela B Gomez
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Linda Alinafe Sande
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- Department of Health Economics, Centre for Sexual Health HIV/AIDS Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programme, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Graham F Medley
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of HIV/AIDS & TB, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Gesine Meyer-Rath
- Department of Internal Medicine, Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office (HE2RO) - University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Center for Global Health and Development, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Global Health & Development, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
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Sibanda EL, Mangenah C, Neuman M, Tumushime M, Watadzaushe C, Mutseta MN, Maringwa G, Dirawo J, Fielding KL, Johnson C, Ncube G, Taegtmeyer M, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Terris-Prestholt F, Cowan FM. Comparison of community-led distribution of HIV self-tests kits with distribution by paid distributors: a cluster randomised trial in rural Zimbabwean communities. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:e005000. [PMID: 34275872 PMCID: PMC8287604 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005000] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We compared community-led versus an established community-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) model in rural Zimbabwe using a cluster-randomised trial. METHODS Forty village groups were randomised 1:1 using restricted randomisation to community-led HIVST, where communities planned and implemented HIVST distribution for 4 weeks, or paid distribution (PD), where distributors were paid US$50 to distribute kits door-to-door over 4 weeks. Individual level primary outcomes compared household survey responses by arm 4 months post-intervention for: (1) newly diagnosed HIV during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution, (2) linkage to confirmatory testing, pre-exposure prophylaxis or voluntary medical male circumcision during/within 4 months following HIVST distribution. Participants were not masked to allocation; analysis used masked data. Trial analysis used random-effects logistic regression.Distribution costs compared: (1) community-led HIVST, (2) PD HIVST and (3) PD costs when first implemented in 2016/2017. RESULTS From October 2018 to August 2019, 27 812 and 36 699 HIVST kits were distributed in community-led and PD communities, respectively. We surveyed 11 150 participants and 5683 were in community-led arm. New HIV diagnosis was reported by 211 (3.7%) community-led versus 197 (3.6%) PD arm participants, adjusted OR (aOR) 1.1 (95% CI 0.72 to 1.56); 318 (25.9%) community-led arm participants linked to post-test services versus 361 (23.9%) in PD arm, aOR 1.1 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.49.Cost per HIVST kit distributed was US$6.29 and US$10.25 for PD and community-led HIVST, both lower than 2016/2017 costs for newly implemented PD (US$14.52). No social harms were reported. CONCLUSIONS Community-led HIVST can perform as well as paid distribution, with lower costs in the first year. These costs may reduce with programme maturity/learning. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PACTR201811849455568.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euphemia Lindelwe Sibanda
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Miriam N Mutseta
- Department of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Innovations, Population Services International Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | | | - Katherine L Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- HIV, Hepatitis and STI Department, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Getrude Ncube
- AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Miriam Taegtmeyer
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lucy Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- TB-HIV Group, Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health & Development, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Frances M Cowan
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
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Kinyanda E, Kyohangirwe L, Mpango RS, Tusiime C, Ssebunnya J, Katumba K, Tenywa P, Mugisha J, Taasi G, Sentongo H, Akena D, Laurence Y, Muhwezi W, Weiss HA, Neuman M, Greco G, Knizek B, Levin J, Kaleebu P, Araya R, Ssembajjwe W, Patel V. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of integrating the management of depression into routine HIV Care in Uganda (the HIV + D trial): A protocol for a cluster-randomised trial. Int J Ment Health Syst 2021; 15:45. [PMID: 33980299 PMCID: PMC8114695 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-021-00469-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND An estimated 8-30 % of people living with HIV (PLWH) have depressive disorders (DD) in sub-Saharan Africa. Of these, the majority are untreated in most of HIV care services. There is evidence from low- and middle- income countries of the effectiveness of both psychological treatments and antidepressant medication for the treatment of DD among PLWH, but no evidence on how these can be integrated into routine HIV care. This protocol describes a cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the HIV + D model for the integration of a collaborative stepped care intervention for DD into routine HIV care, which we have developed and piloted in Uganda. METHODS Forty public health care facilities that provide HIV care in Kalungu, Masaka and Wakiso Districts will be randomly selected to participate in the trial. Each facility will recruit 10-30 eligible PLWH with DD and the total sample size will be 1200. The clusters will be randomised 1:1 to receive Enhanced Usual Care alone (EUC, i.e. HIV clinicians trained in Mental Health Gap Action Programme including guidelines on when and where to refer patients for psychiatric care) or EUC plus HIV + D (psychoeducation, Behavioural Activation, antidepressant medication and referral to a supervising mental health worker, delivered in a collaborative care stepwise approach). Eligibility criteria are PLWH attending the clinic, aged ≥ 18 years who screen positive on a depression screening questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9 ≥ 10). The primary outcome is the mean depressive disorder symptom severity scores (assessed using the PHQ-9) at 3 months' post-randomisation, with secondary mental health, disability, HIV and economic outcomes measured at 3 and 12 months. The cost-effectiveness of EUC with HIV + D will be assessed from both the health system and the societal perspectives by collecting health system, patient and productivity costs and mean DD severity scores at 3 months, additional to health and non-health related quality of life measures (EQ-5D-5 L and OxCAP-MH). DISCUSSION The study findings will inform policy makers and practitioners on the cost-effectiveness of a stepped care approach to integrate depression management in routine care for PLWH in low-resource settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN, ISRCTN86760765. Registered 07 September 2017, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN86760765 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Kinyanda
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Leticia Kyohangirwe
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda.
| | - Richard S Mpango
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Christine Tusiime
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | - Kenneth Katumba
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Patrick Tenywa
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | | | | | | | - Dickens Akena
- Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Yoko Laurence
- Department for Global Health and Development, Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Centre for Health Economics in London, London, England
| | - Wilson Muhwezi
- Department of Psychiatry, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group LSHTM, London, England
| | - Melissa Neuman
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group LSHTM, London, England
| | - Giulia Greco
- Department for Global Health and Development, Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Centre for Health Economics in London, London, England
| | - Birthe Knizek
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jonathan Levin
- Department Statistics, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Ricardo Araya
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Kings College London, London, England
| | - Wilber Ssembajjwe
- MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Mental Health Section, Entebbe, Uganda
| | - Vikram Patel
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Indravudh PP, Fielding K, Kumwenda MK, Nzawa R, Chilongosi R, Desmond N, Nyirenda R, Neuman M, Johnson CC, Baggaley R, Hatzold K, Terris-Prestholt F, Corbett EL. Effect of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing on HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy initiation in Malawi: A cluster-randomised trial. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003608. [PMID: 33974621 PMCID: PMC8112698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003608] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Undiagnosed HIV infection remains substantial in key population subgroups including adolescents, older adults, and men, driving ongoing transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. We evaluated the impact, safety, and costs of community-led delivery of HIV self-testing (HIVST), aiming to increase HIV testing in underserved subgroups and stimulate demand for antiretroviral therapy (ART). METHODS AND FINDINGS This cluster-randomised trial, conducted between October 2018 and July 2019, used restricted randomisation (1:1) to allocate 30 group village head clusters in Mangochi district, Malawi to the community-led HIVST intervention in addition to the standard of care (SOC) or the SOC alone. The intervention involved mobilising community health groups to lead the design and implementation of 7-day HIVST campaigns, with cluster residents (≥15 years) eligible for HIVST. The primary outcome compared lifetime HIV testing among adolescents (15 to 19 years) between arms. Secondary outcomes compared: recent HIV testing (in the last 3 months) among older adults (≥40 years) and men; cumulative 6-month incidence of ART initiation per 100,000 population; knowledge of the preventive benefits of HIV treatment; and HIV testing stigma. Outcomes were measured through a post-intervention survey and at neighboring health facilities. Analysis used intention-to-treat for cluster-level outcomes. Community health groups delivered 24,316 oral fluid-based HIVST kits. The survey included 90.2% (3,960/4,388) of listed participants in the 15 community-led HIVST clusters and 89.2% (3,920/4,394) of listed participants in the 15 SOC clusters. Overall, the proportion of men was 39.0% (3,072/7,880). Most participants obtained primary-level education or below, were married, and reported a sexual partner. Lifetime HIV testing among adolescents was higher in the community-led HIVST arm (84.6%, 770/910) than the SOC arm (67.1%, 582/867; adjusted risk difference [RD] 15.2%, 95% CI 7.5% to 22.9%; p < 0.001), especially among 15 to 17 year olds and boys. Recent testing among older adults was also higher in the community-led HIVST arm (74.5%, 869/1,166) than the SOC arm (31.5%, 350/1,111; adjusted RD 42.1%, 95% CI 34.9% to 49.4%; p < 0.001). Similarly, the proportions of recently tested men were 74.6% (1,177/1,577) and 33.9% (507/1,495) in the community-led HIVST and SOC arms, respectively (adjusted RD 40.2%, 95% CI 32.9% to 47.4%; p < 0.001). Knowledge of HIV treatment benefits and HIV testing stigma showed no differences between arms. Cumulative incidence of ART initiation was respectively 305.3 and 226.1 per 100,000 population in the community-led HIVST and SOC arms (RD 72.3, 95% CI -36.2 to 180.8; p = 0.18). In post hoc analysis, ART initiations in the 3-month post-intervention period were higher in the community-led HIVST arm than the SOC arm (RD 97.7, 95% CI 33.4 to 162.1; p = 0.004). HIVST uptake was 74.7% (2,956/3,960), with few adverse events (0.6%, 18/2,955) and at US$5.70 per HIVST kit distributed. The main limitations include the use of self-reported HIV testing outcomes and lack of baseline measurement for the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we found that community-led HIVST was effective, safe, and affordable, with population impact and coverage rapidly realised at low cost. This approach could enable community HIV testing in high HIV prevalence settings and demonstrates potential for economies of scale and scope. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03541382.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pitchaya P. Indravudh
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Moses K. Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Rebecca Nzawa
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Rose Nyirenda
- Department of HIV and AIDS, Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl C. Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Neuman M, Mahdavi R, Khodaee M. 37-year-old man • cough • increasing shortness of breath • pleuritic chest pain • Dx? J Fam Pract 2021; 70:143-149. [PMID: 34314339 DOI: 10.12788/jfp.0171] [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] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
► Cough ► Increasing shortness of breath ► Pleuritic chest pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (Drs. Neuman and Khodaee); Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles (Dr. Mahdavi)
| | - Ramyar Mahdavi
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (Drs. Neuman and Khodaee); Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles (Dr. Mahdavi)
| | - Morteza Khodaee
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver (Drs. Neuman and Khodaee); Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles (Dr. Mahdavi)
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Sorsdahl K, van der Westhuizen C, Neuman M, Weiss HA, Myers B. Addressing the mental health needs of adolescents in South African communities: a protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2021; 7:69. [PMID: 33726830 PMCID: PMC7961162 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-021-00803-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Like many low- and middle-income countries, almost half of the proportion of the South African population is under the age of 25. Given the peak age of onset for most mental health problems is in adolescence, it is vital that adolescents have access to mental health counselling. There are several initiatives to increase access to mental health counselling in South Africa, primarily through the integration of counselling for common mental disorders (CMD) into primary health care services, but adolescents (15-18 years of age) generally do not utilize these services. To address this gap, we will undertake a study to explore the feasibility of conducting a trial of the effectiveness of a community-based mental health counselling intervention for adolescents at-risk for a CMD. METHODS The study is a feasibility trial of the ASPIRE intervention, a four-session blended multi-component counselling intervention adapted for South African adolescents at risk for depression and alcohol use disorders. We will enrol 100 adolescents from community settings and randomly assign them to the ASPIRE intervention or a comparison condition. Feasibility measures, such as rates of recruitment, consent to participate in the trial and retention, will be calculated. Qualitative interviews with participants and counsellors will explore the acceptability of the intervention. The primary outcomes for a subsequent trial would be reductions in symptoms of depression and days of heavy drinking which will be measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months post-randomization. DISCUSSION This feasibility trial using a mixed-methods design will allow us to determine whether we can move forward to a larger effectiveness trial of the ASPIRE intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered with the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR20200352214510). Registered 28 February 2020-retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=9795.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sorsdahl
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - C van der Westhuizen
- Alan J. Flisher Centre for Public Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - M Neuman
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - H A Weiss
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, England
| | - B Myers
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Neuman M. Response to "Certified Nurse Midwives as Teachers of Family Medicine Residents". Fam Med 2020; 52:605-606. [PMID: 32931014 DOI: 10.22454/fammed.2020.498742] [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] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- University of Colorado Family Medicine Residency, Denver, CO
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Zurawin R, Baekelandt J, Lowenstein L, Neuman M. Multicenter Prospective Pilot and Feasibility Study of a Novel Robotic System for Laparoscopic Transvaginal Hysterectomy. J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.08.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Edwards A, Siedner MJ, Nash S, Neuman M, Danaviah S, Smit T, Gareta D, Kowal P, Seeley J. HIV serostatus, inflammatory biomarkers and the frailty phenotype among older people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Afr J AIDS Res 2020; 19:177-185. [PMID: 32892699 DOI: 10.2989/16085906.2020.1790398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Objective: We compared the prevalence of frailty by HIV serostatus and related biomarkers to the modified frailty phenotype among older individuals in a rural population in South Africa. Methods: Questionnaire data were from a cohort of people living with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-uninfected people aged 50 years and older sampled from the Africa Health Research Institute Demographic Health and Surveillance area in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The prevalence of frailty was compared using five categories: (1) physical activity; (2) mobility; (3) fatigue; (4) gait speed; and (5) grip strength, and assessed for demographic, clinical, and inflammatory correlates of frailty. Results: Among 614 individuals in the study, 384 (62.5%) were women. The median age at study enrolment was 64 years [Interquartile range (IQR) (58.6-72.0)]. 292 (47.6%) were PWH. 499 (81%) were classified as either pre-frail or frail. 43 (7%) were frail and HIV positive, 185 (30%) were pre-frail and HIV positive, 57 were frail and HIV negative and 214 (35%) were pre-frail and HIV negative. Frailty was similar for HIV negative and PWH (17.7% vs 14.7%, p = 0.72). Women were more likely to be frail (18.3% vs 13.04%, p = 0.16). The prevalence of frailty increased with age for both HIV groups. In the multivariable analysis, the odds of being frail were higher in those aged 70 years and above than those aged between 50 and 59 years (p < 0.001). Females were less likely to be pre-frail than males (p < 0.001). There was no association between any of the inflammatory biomarkers and frailty and pre-frailty. Conclusion: In this population, the prevalence of frailty is similar for PWH and people without HIV, but higher for women than men. These data suggest that the odds of developing frailty is similar for PWH over the age of 50 years, who survive into older age, as for people without HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Edwards
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Mark J Siedner
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Stephen Nash
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Theresa Smit
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Dickman Gareta
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Paul Kowal
- World Health Organization, Division of Data, Analytics and Delivery for Impact, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Johnson C, Neuman M, MacPherson P, Choko A, Quinn C, Wong VJ, Hatzold K, Nyrienda R, Ncube G, Baggaley R, Terris-Prestholt F, Corbett EL. Use and awareness of and willingness to self-test for HIV: an analysis of cross-sectional population-based surveys in Malawi and Zimbabwe. BMC Public Health 2020; 20:779. [PMID: 32450840 PMCID: PMC7249304 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-08855-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [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: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many southern African countries are nearing the global goal of diagnosing 90% of people with HIV by 2020. In 2016, 84 and 86% of people with HIV knew their status in Malawi and Zimbabwe, respectively. However, gaps remain, particularly among men. We investigated awareness and use of, and willingness to self-test for HIV and explored sociodemographic associations before large-scale implementation. METHODS We pooled responses from two of the first cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys to include HIV self-testing (HIVST) questions in Malawi and Zimbabwe in 2015-16. We investigated sociodemographic factors and sexual risk behaviours associated with previously testing for HIV, and past use, awareness of, and future willingness to self-test using univariable and multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for the sample design and limiting analysis to participants with a completed questionnaire and valid HIV test result. We restricted analysis of willingness to self-test to Zimbabwean men, as women and Malawians were not systematically asked this question. RESULTS Of 31,385 individuals, 31.2% of men had never tested compared with 16.5% of women (p < 0.001). For men, the likelihood of having ever tested increased with age. Past use and awareness of HIVST was very low, 1.2 and 12.6%, respectively. Awareness was lower among women than men (9.1% vs 15.3%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-1.75), and at younger ages, and lower education and literacy levels. Willingness to self-test among Zimbabwean men was high (84.5%), with greater willingness associated with having previously tested for HIV, being at high sexual risk (highest willingness [aOR = 3.74; 95%CI: 1.39-10.03, p < 0.009]), and being ≥25 years old. Wealthier men had greater awareness of HIVST than poorer men (p < 0.001). The highest willingness to self-test (aOR = 3.74; 95%CI: 1.39-10.03, p < 0.009) was among men at high HIV-related sexual risk. CONCLUSIONS In 2015-16, many Malawian and Zimbabwean men had never tested for HIV. Despite low awareness and minimal HIVST experience, willingness to self-test was high among Zimbabwean men, especially older men with moderate-to-high HIV-related sexual risk. These data provide a valuable baseline against which to investigate population-level uptake of HIVST as programmes scale up. Programmes introducing, or planning to introduce, HIVST should consider including relevant questions in population-based surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Johnson
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Research and Infection Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Peter MacPherson
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Augustine Choko
- Department of Clinical Research and Infection Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Caitlin Quinn
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent J. Wong
- U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC USA
| | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services International, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | - Rachel Baggaley
- Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Department of Clinical Research and Infection Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Trust, HIV/TB Group, Blantyre, Malawi
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Adeagbo OA, Mthiyane N, Herbst C, Mee P, Neuman M, Dreyer J, Chimbindi N, Smit T, Okesola N, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Seeley J, Cowan F, Corbett L, Shahmanesh M. Cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the effect of peer delivery HIV self-testing to support linkage to HIV prevention among young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a study protocol. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e033435. [PMID: 31874891 PMCID: PMC7008432 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) to determine whether HIV self-testing (HIVST) delivered by peers either directly or through incentivised peer-networks, could increase the uptake of antiretroviral therapy and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among young women (18 to 24 years) is being undertaken in an HIV hyperendemic area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A three-arm cRCT started mid-March 2019, in 24 areas in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Twenty-four pairs of peer navigators working with ~12 000 young people aged 18 to 30 years over a period of 6 months were randomised to: (1) incentivised-peer-networks: peer-navigators recruited participants 'seeds' to distribute up to five HIVST packs and HIV prevention information to peers within their social networks. Seeds receive an incentive (20 Rand = US$1.5) for each respondent who contacts a peer-navigator for additional HIVST packs to distribute; (2) peer-navigator-distribution: peer-navigators distribute HIVST packs and information directly to young people; (3) standard of care: peer-navigators distribute referral slips and information. All arms promote sexual health information and provide barcoded clinic referral slips to facilitate linkage to HIV testing, prevention and care services. The primary outcome is the difference in linkage rate between arms, defined as the number of women (18 to 24 years) per peer-navigators month of outreach work (/pnm) who linked to clinic-based PrEP eligibility screening or started antiretroviral, based on HIV-status, within 90 days of receiving the clinic referral slip. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at the WHO, Switzerland (Protocol ID: STAR CRT, South Africa), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK (Reference: 15 990-1), University of KwaZulu-Natal (BFC311/18) and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (Reference: KZ_201901_012), South Africa. The findings of this trial will be disseminated at local, regional and international meetings and through peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT03751826; Pre-results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwafemi Atanda Adeagbo
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Gauteng, South Africa
| | - Nondumiso Mthiyane
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Carina Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Paul Mee
- Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Epidemiology and Public Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jaco Dreyer
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Natsayi Chimbindi
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Theresa Smit
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Nonhlanhla Okesola
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Department of HIV/AIDS, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Janet Seeley
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Cowan
- International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
- CeSHHAR Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Liz Corbett
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Maryam Shahmanesh
- Africa Health Research Institute, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Neuman M, Taegtmeyer M, Hatzold K, Johnson CC, Weiss HA, Fielding K. Challenges in measurement of linkage following HIV self-testing: examples from the STAR Project. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 1:e25238. [PMID: 30907491 PMCID: PMC6432105 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology GroupFaculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Karin Hatzold
- Population Services InternationalJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Department of HIV and Global HepatitisWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Helen A Weiss
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology GroupFaculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Katherine Fielding
- MRC Tropical Epidemiology GroupFaculty of Epidemiology and Population HealthLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUnited Kingdom
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Mangenah C, Mwenge L, Sande L, Ahmed N, d'Elbée M, Chiwawa P, Chigwenah T, Kanema S, Mutseta MN, Nalubamba M, Chilongosi R, Indravudh P, Sibanda EL, Neuman M, Ncube G, Ong JJ, Mugurungi O, Hatzold K, Johnson CC, Ayles H, Corbett EL, Cowan FM, Maheswaran H, Terris‐Prestholt F. Economic cost analysis of door-to-door community-based distribution of HIV self-test kits in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 1:e25255. [PMID: 30907499 PMCID: PMC6432106 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [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: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION HIV self-testing (HIVST) is recommended by the World Health Organization in addition to other testing modalities to increase uptake of HIV testing, particularly among harder-to-reach populations. This study provides the first empirical evidence of the costs of door-to-door community-based HIVST distribution in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. METHODS HIVST kits were distributed door-to-door in 71 sites across Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe from June 2016 to May 2017. Programme expenditures, supplemented by on-site observation and monitoring and evaluation data were used to estimate total economic and unit costs of HIVST distribution, by input and site. Inputs were categorized into start-up, capital and recurrent costs. Sensitivity and scenario analyses were performed to assess the impact of key parameters on unit costs. RESULTS In total, 152,671, 103,589 and 93,459 HIVST kits were distributed in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe over 12, 11 and 10 months respectively. Across these countries, 43% to 51% of HIVST kits were distributed to men. The average cost per HIVST kit distributed was US$8.15, US$16.42 and US$13.84 in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, respectively, with pronounced intersite variation within countries driven largely by site-level fixed costs. Site-level recurrent costs were 70% to 92% of full costs and 20% to 62% higher than routine HIV testing services (HTS) costs. Personnel costs contributed from 26% to 52% of total costs across countries reflecting differences in remuneration approaches and country GDP. CONCLUSIONS These early door-to-door community HIVST distribution programmes show large potential, both for reaching untested populations and for substantial economies of scale as HIVST programmes scale-up and mature. From a societal perspective, the costs of HIVST appear similar to conventional HTS, with the higher providers' costs substantially offsetting user costs. Future approaches to minimizing cost and/or maximize testing coverage could include unpaid door-to-door community-led distribution to reach end-users and integrating HIVST into routine clinical services via direct or secondary distribution strategies with lower fixed costs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Linda Sande
- Malawi‐Liverpool‐Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Nurilign Ahmed
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Marc d'Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Malawi‐Liverpool‐Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Euphemia L Sibanda
- Centre for Sexual HealthHIV and AIDS ResearchHarareZimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | | | | | - Jason J Ong
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | | | | | - Cheryl C Johnson
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
- Department of HIV/AIDSWorld Health OrganizationGenevaSwitzerland
| | - Helen Ayles
- ZambartLusakaZambia
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Elizabeth L Corbett
- Malawi‐Liverpool‐Wellcome Trust Clinical Research ProgrammeBlantyreMalawi
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical DiseasesLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Frances M Cowan
- Centre for Sexual HealthHIV and AIDS ResearchHarareZimbabwe
- Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineLiverpoolUK
| | | | - Fern Terris‐Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and PolicyLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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Houweling TAJ, van Klaveren D, Das S, Azad K, Tripathy P, Manandhar D, Neuman M, de Jonge E, Been JV, Steyerberg E, Costello A. A prediction model for neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries: an analysis of data from population surveillance sites in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48:186-198. [PMID: 30325465 PMCID: PMC6380321 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyy194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In poor settings, where many births and neonatal deaths occur at home, prediction models of neonatal mortality in the general population can aid public-health policy-making. No such models are available in the international literature. We developed and validated a prediction model for neonatal mortality in the general population in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. METHODS Using data (49 632 live births, 1742 neonatal deaths) from rural and urban surveillance sites in South Asia, we developed regression models to predict the risk of neonatal death with characteristics known at (i) the start of pregnancy, (ii) start of delivery and (iii) 5 minutes post partum. We assessed the models' discriminative ability by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), using cross-validation between sites. RESULTS At the start of pregnancy, predictive ability was moderate {AUC 0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.61]} and predictors of neonatal death were low maternal education and economic status, short birth interval, primigravida, and young and advanced maternal age. At the start of delivery, predictive ability was considerably better [AUC 0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.76)] and prematurity and multiple pregnancy were strong predictors of death. At 5 minutes post partum, predictive ability was good [AUC: 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.89)]; very strong predictors were multiple birth, prematurity and a poor condition of the infant at 5 minutes. CONCLUSIONS We developed good performing prediction models for neonatal mortality. Neonatal deaths are highly concentrated in a small group of high-risk infants, even in poor settings in South Asia. Risk assessment, as supported by our models, can be used as a basis for improving community- and facility-based newborn care and prevention strategies in poor settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja A J Houweling
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - David van Klaveren
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Predictive Analytics and Comparative Effectiveness Center, Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, USA
| | - Sushmita Das
- Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action (SNEHA), Mumbai, India
| | - Kishwar Azad
- Perinatal Care Project (PCP), Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (BADAS), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Melissa Neuman
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Erik de Jonge
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jasper V Been
- Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam—Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ewout Steyerberg
- Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anthony Costello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Neuman M, Indravudh P, Chilongosi R, d’Elbée M, Desmond N, Fielding K, Hensen B, Johnson C, Mkandawire P, Mwinga A, Nalubamba M, Ncube G, Nyirenda L, Nyrienda R, Kampe EOI, Taegtmeyer M, Terris-Prestholt F, Weiss HA, Hatzold K, Ayles H, Corbett EL. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of community-based lay distribution of HIV self-tests in increasing uptake of HIV testing among adults in rural Malawi and rural and peri-urban Zambia: protocol for STAR (self-testing for Africa) cluster randomized evaluations. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1234. [PMID: 30400959 PMCID: PMC6218995 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of HIV status remains below target in sub-Saharan Africa, especially among men and adolescents. HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a novel approach that enables unique distribution strategies, with potential to be highly decentralised and to provide complementary coverage to facility-based testing approaches. However, substantial gaps in evidence remain on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HIVST, particularly in rural settings, and on approaches to facilitate linkage to confirmatory HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services. This protocol describes two cluster-randomized trials (CRT) included within the UNITAID/PSI HIV Self-Testing Africa (STAR) project. METHODS Two independent CRTs were designed around existing reproductive health programmes in rural Malawi and rural/peri-urban Zambia. Common features include use of constrained randomisation to allocate health clinic catchment areas to either standard HIV testing (SOC) or SOC plus community-based distribution of OraQuick HIV Self Tests (Bethlehem, PA USA, assembled in Thailand) by trained lay distributors selected by the community. Community-based distribution agents will be trained (3-day curriculum) to provide brief demonstration of kit use and interpretation, information and encouragement to access follow up services, and management of social harm. The primary outcome of both CRTs is the proportion of the population aged 16 years and older who tested for HIV within the 12-month intervention period. Secondary outcomes in both trials include lifetime HIV testing, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and ART use. Circumcision status among males will be a secondary outcome in Zambia and clinic-level demand for ART will be a secondary outcome in Malawi. Outcomes will be measured using cross-sectional household surveys, and routine data extraction from participating clinics. Costing studies will be used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention arm. Qualitative research will be used to guide distribution and explore reasons for testing and linkage to onward care. DISCUSSION The STAR-Malawi and STAR-Zambia trials will provide rigorous evidence of whether community-based lay HIVST distribution is an effective and cost-effective approach to increasing coverage of HIV testing and demand for follow-on HIV services in rural and peri-urban communities in sub-Saharan Africa. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov, Malawi: NCT02718274 , 18 March 2016; Zambia: NCT02793804 , 3 June 2016. Protocol date: 21 February 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Marc d’Elbée
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Nicola Desmond
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Blantyre, Malawi
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - Katherine Fielding
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Bernadette Hensen
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lot Nyirenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Blantyre, Malawi
| | | | - Eveline Otte im Kampe
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | | | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Helen A. Weiss
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | | | - Helen Ayles
- Zambart, Lusaka, Zambia
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
| | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Unit, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT UK
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Neuman M, Spittler J. Photo Rounds: Painful facial blisters, fever, and conjunctivitis. J Fam Pract 2018; 67:573-575. [PMID: 30216398] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Following Tx for facial blisters, our patient returned with what appeared to be viral conjunctivitis. Further evaluation revealed a missed tip-off to the proper Dx.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jack Spittler
- University of Colorado Family Medicine, Denver, USA.
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Sande L, Maheswaran H, Mangenah C, Mwenge L, Indravudh P, Mkandawire P, Ahmed N, d’Elbee M, Johnson C, Hatzold K, Corbett EL, Neuman M, Terris-Prestholt F. Costs of accessing HIV testing services among rural Malawi communities. AIDS Care 2018. [PMCID: PMC6050712 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1479032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing is free in Malawi, but users may still incur costs that can deter or delay them accessing these services. We sought to identify and quantify these costs among HIV testing service clients in Malawi. We asked residents of communities participating in a cluster randomised trial investigating the impact of HIV self-testing about their past HIV testing experiences and the direct non-medical and indirect costs incurred to access HIV testing. We recruited 749 participants whose most recent HIV test was within the past 12 months. The mean total cost to access testing was US$2.45 (95%CI: US$2.11–US$2.70). Men incurred higher costs (US$3.81; 95%CI: US$2.91–US$4.50) than women (US$1.83; 95%CI: US$1.61–US$2.00). Results from a two-part multivariable regression analysis suggest that age, testing location, time taken to test, visiting a facility specifically for an HIV test and district of residence significantly affected the odds of incurring costs to testing. In addition, gender, wealth, age, education and district of residence were associated with significant user costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sande
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Collin Mangenah
- The Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Pitchaya Indravudh
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Nurilign Ahmed
- Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Marc d’Elbee
- Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Cheryl Johnson
- Department of HIV/AIDS, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Elizabeth L. Corbett
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Faculty of Public Health & Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Abbott T, Fowler A, Pelosi P, Gama de Abreu M, Møller A, Canet J, Creagh-Brown B, Mythen M, Gin T, Lalu M, Futier E, Grocott M, Schultz M, Pearse R, Myles P, Gan T, Kurz A, Peyton P, Sessler D, Tramèr M, Cyna A, De Oliveira G, Wu C, Jensen M, Kehlet H, Botti M, Boney O, Haller G, Grocott M, Cook T, Fleisher L, Neuman M, Story D, Gruen R, Bampoe S, Evered L, Scott D, Silbert B, van Dijk D, Kalkman C, Chan M, Grocott H, Eckenhoff R, Rasmussen L, Eriksson L, Beattie S, Wijeysundera D, Landoni G, Leslie K, Biccard B, Howell S, Nagele P, Richards T, Lamy A, Gabreu M, Klein A, Corcoran T, Jamie Cooper D, Dieleman S, Diouf E, McIlroy D, Bellomo R, Shaw A, Prowle J, Karkouti K, Billings J, Mazer D, Jayarajah M, Murphy M, Bartoszko J, Sneyd R, Morris S, George R, Moonesinghe R, Shulman M, Lane-Fall M, Nilsson U, Stevenson N, van Klei W, Cabrini L, Miller T, Pace N, Jackson S, Buggy D, Short T, Riedel B, Gottumukkala V, Alkhaffaf B, Johnson M. A systematic review and consensus definitions for standardised end-points in perioperative medicine: pulmonary complications. Br J Anaesth 2018; 120:1066-1079. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
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Seward N, Neuman M, Colbourn T, Osrin D, Lewycka S, Azad K, Costello A, Das S, Fottrell E, Kuddus A, Manandhar D, Nair N, Nambiar B, Shah More N, Phiri T, Tripathy P, Prost A. Effects of women's groups practising participatory learning and action on preventive and care-seeking behaviours to reduce neonatal mortality: A meta-analysis of cluster-randomised trials. PLoS Med 2017; 14:e1002467. [PMID: 29206833 PMCID: PMC5716527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends participatory learning and action (PLA) in women's groups to improve maternal and newborn health, particularly in rural settings with low access to health services. There have been calls to understand the pathways through which this community intervention may affect neonatal mortality. We examined the effect of women's groups on key antenatal, delivery, and postnatal behaviours in order to understand pathways to mortality reduction. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a meta-analysis using data from 7 cluster-randomised controlled trials that took place between 2001 and 2012 in rural India (2 trials), urban India (1 trial), rural Bangladesh (2 trials), rural Nepal (1 trial), and rural Malawi (1 trial), with the number of participants ranging between 6,125 and 29,901 live births. Behavioural outcomes included appropriate antenatal care, facility delivery, use of a safe delivery kit, hand washing by the birth attendant prior to delivery, use of a sterilised instrument to cut the umbilical cord, immediate wrapping of the newborn after delivery, delayed bathing of the newborn, early initiation of breastfeeding, and exclusive breastfeeding. We used 2-stage meta-analysis techniques to estimate the effect of the women's group intervention on behavioural outcomes. In the first stage, we used random effects models with individual patient data to assess the effect of groups on outcomes separately for the different trials. In the second stage of the meta-analysis, random effects models were applied using summary-level estimates calculated in the first stage of the analysis. To determine whether behaviour change was related to group attendance, we used random effects models to assess associations between outcomes and the following categories of group attendance and allocation: women attending a group and allocated to the intervention arm; women not attending a group but allocated to the intervention arm; and women allocated to the control arm. Overall, women's groups practising PLA improved behaviours during and after home deliveries, including the use of safe delivery kits (odds ratio [OR] 2.92, 95% CI 2.02-4.22; I2 = 63.7%, 95% CI 4.4%-86.2%), use of a sterile blade to cut the umbilical cord (1.88, 1.25-2.82; 67.6%, 16.1%-87.5%), birth attendant washing hands prior to delivery (1.87, 1.19-2.95; 79%, 53.8%-90.4%), delayed bathing of the newborn for at least 24 hours (1.47, 1.09-1.99; 68.0%, 29.2%-85.6%), and wrapping the newborn within 10 minutes of delivery (1.27, 1.02-1.60; 0.0%, 0%-79.2%). Effects were partly dependent on the proportion of pregnant women attending groups. We did not find evidence of effects on uptake of antenatal care (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.77-1.38; I2 = 86.3%, 95% CI 73.8%-92.8%), facility delivery (1.02, 0.93-1.12; 21.4%, 0%-65.8%), initiating breastfeeding within 1 hour (1.08, 0.85-1.39; 76.6%, 50.9%-88.8%), or exclusive breastfeeding for 6 weeks after delivery (1.18, 0.93-1.48; 72.9%, 37.8%-88.2%). The main limitation of our analysis is the high degree of heterogeneity for effects on most behaviours, possibly due to the limited number of trials involving women's groups and context-specific effects. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggests that women's groups practising PLA improve key behaviours on the pathway to neonatal mortality, with the strongest evidence for home care behaviours and practices during home deliveries. A lack of consistency in improved behaviours across all trials may reflect differences in local priorities, capabilities, and the responsiveness of health services. Future research could address the mechanisms behind how PLA improves survival, in order to adapt this method to improve maternal and newborn health in different contexts, as well as improve other outcomes across the continuum of care for women, children, and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Seward
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Colbourn
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Osrin
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Lewycka
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Centre for Tropical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kishwar Azad
- Perinatal Care Project, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anthony Costello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sushmita Das
- Society for Nutrition, Education & Health Action, Mumbai, India
| | - Edward Fottrell
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Abdul Kuddus
- Perinatal Care Project, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Bejoy Nambiar
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neena Shah More
- Society for Nutrition, Education & Health Action, Mumbai, India
| | - Tambosi Phiri
- Parent and Child Health Initiative Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Audrey Prost
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Busert LK, Neuman M, Rehfuess EA, Dulal S, Harthan J, Chaube SS, Bhandari B, Costello H, Costello A, Manandhar DS, Saville NM. Dietary Diversity Is Positively Associated with Deviation from Expected Height in Rural Nepal. J Nutr 2016; 146:1387-93. [PMID: 27306894 PMCID: PMC4926845 DOI: 10.3945/jn.115.220137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent research has highlighted the need for additional studies on the nutrition input required to stabilize growth. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine the association between dietary diversity and conditional growth in children aged 0-89 mo. METHODS We analyzed cohort data from 529 mothers and children living in a remote and food-insecure region in the mountains of Nepal. Children were aged 0-59 mo at baseline and were followed up after 9 and 29 mo. Conditional growth was calculated as the deviation from the expected height-for-age difference (HAD) trajectory based on previous measures of HAD and the pattern of growth in the population. Dietary diversity was assessed with the use of a count of the foods consumed from 7 food groups in the previous 7 d. The association between dietary diversity and conditional growth during the 2 follow-up periods (of 9 and 20 mo, respectively) was estimated with the use of ordinary least-squares regressions. RESULTS Prevalence of stunting and absolute height deficits was very high and increased over the course of the study. At the last measurement (age range 29-89 mo), 76.5% were stunted and the mean ± SD HAD was -11.7 ± 4.6 cm. Dietary diversity was associated positively with conditional growth in the later (May 2012-December 2013) but not the earlier (July 2011-May 2012) growth period. Children's ages ranged from 0 to 59 mo in July 2011, 9 to 69 mo in May 2012, and 29 to 89 mo in December 2013. After adjustment, increasing the dietary diversity by one food group was associated with a 0.09 cm (95% CI: 0.00, 0.17 cm) increase in conditional growth in the second growth period. CONCLUSIONS Increasing dietary diversity for children reduces the risk of stunting and improves growth after growth faltering. Future efforts should be directed at enabling families in food-insecure areas to feed their children a more diverse diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura K Busert
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany;
| | - Melissa Neuman
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | - Eva A Rehfuess
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Sophiya Dulal
- Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Jayne Harthan
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | | | | | - Harry Costello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | - Anthony Costello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
| | | | - Naomi M Saville
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom; and
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49
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Weintraub AY, Friedman T, Baumfeld Y, Neuman M, Krissi H. Long term subjective cure rate, urinary tract symptoms and dyspareunia following mesh augmented anterior vaginal wall prolapse repair. Int J Surg 2015; 24:33-8. [PMID: 26525268 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2015.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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: 08/11/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to assess patient-centered long term outcomes following anterior vaginal repair with mesh. METHODS In January 2015, we identified 124 women who underwent anterior pelvic floor repair with mesh between January 2006 and February 2009. Patient records were reviewed and demographic, clinical, intra-operative and post-operative follow-up data retrieved. Telephone interviews were conducted to access information on clinical outcomes. Associations between baseline characteristics and long term symptoms were assessed by multivariable logistic regression models. RESULTS Seventy-nine women were reached and consented to participate. Patients were interviewed 79-104 months after surgery. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 62.48 ± 9.53 years; all had stage III cystocele with a mean POP Q point Ba of 5.32 ± 1.47. Twenty-four (30%) had a previous hysterectomy and 26 (33%) had a previous pelvic organ prolapse or stress urinary incontinence operation. At telephone interviews, recurrence of prolapse symptoms was reported by 11 (13.9%) patients, mostly in the posterior compartment. Only 6 needed a corrective procedure. One patient had her mesh removed due to dyspareunia. Eleven (13.9%) reported lower urinary tract symptoms other than prolapse, as follows: stress urinary incontinence (1), overactive bladder (8) and dyspareunia (2). CONCLUSION Long term rates of recurrent prolapse, dyspareunia and lower urinary tract symptoms were low for patients who underwent anterior vaginal wall mesh augmentation surgery for symptomatic cystoceles.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Y Weintraub
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva 85025, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - T Friedman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel.
| | - Y Baumfeld
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva 85025, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel; Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva 85025, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 8410501, Israel.
| | - M Neuman
- Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, and the Faculty of Medicine in the Galilee, Bar Ilan University, Safed, Israel; Assuta Medical Centers, Tel Aviv and Rishon LeZion, Israel.
| | - H Krissi
- Urogynecology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Petach Tikva 49100, Affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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50
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Fottrell E, Osrin D, Alcock G, Azad K, Bapat U, Beard J, Bondo A, Colbourn T, Das S, King C, Manandhar D, Manandhar S, Morrison J, Mwansambo C, Nair N, Nambiar B, Neuman M, Phiri T, Saville N, Sen A, Seward N, Shah Moore N, Shrestha BP, Singini B, Tumbahangphe KM, Costello A, Prost A. Cause-specific neonatal mortality: analysis of 3772 neonatal deaths in Nepal, Bangladesh, Malawi and India. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2015; 100:F439-47. [PMID: 25972443 PMCID: PMC4552925 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2014-307636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Understanding the causes of death is key to tackling the burden of three million annual neonatal deaths. Resource-poor settings lack effective vital registration systems for births, deaths and causes of death. We set out to describe cause-specific neonatal mortality in rural areas of Malawi, Bangladesh, Nepal and rural and urban India using verbal autopsy (VA) data. DESIGN We prospectively recorded births, neonatal deaths and stillbirths in seven population surveillance sites. VAs were carried out to ascertain cause of death. We applied descriptive epidemiological techniques and the InterVA method to characterise the burden, timing and causes of neonatal mortality at each site. RESULTS Analysis included 3772 neonatal deaths and 3256 stillbirths. Between 63% and 82% of neonatal deaths occurred in the first week of life, and males were more likely to die than females. Prematurity, birth asphyxia and infections accounted for most neonatal deaths, but important subnational and regional differences were observed. More than one-third of deaths in urban India were attributed to asphyxia, making it the leading cause of death in this setting. CONCLUSIONS Population-based VA methods can fill information gaps on the burden and causes of neonatal mortality in resource-poor and data-poor settings. Local data should be used to inform and monitor the implementation of interventions to improve newborn health. High rates of home births demand a particular focus on community interventions to improve hygienic delivery and essential newborn care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Fottrell
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - David Osrin
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Glyn Alcock
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Kishwar Azad
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Perinatal Care Project, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ujwala Bapat
- Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action, Mumbai, India
| | - James Beard
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Austin Bondo
- Parent and Child Health Initiative, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Tim Colbourn
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Sushmita Das
- Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action, Mumbai, India
| | - Carina King
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | | | | | - Joanna Morrison
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | | | | | - Bejoy Nambiar
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Melissa Neuman
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | | | - Naomi Saville
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Aman Sen
- Mother and Infant Research Activities, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Nadine Seward
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Neena Shah Moore
- Society for Nutrition, Education and Health Action, Mumbai, India
| | | | | | | | - Anthony Costello
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
| | - Audrey Prost
- University College London, Institute for Global Health, London, UK
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