The effect of the Universal Test and Treat policy uptake on CD4 count testing and incidence of opportunistic infections among people living with HIV infection in Cameroon: a retrospective analysis of routine data

Background

Cameroon adopted and started implementing in 2016, the 'universal test and treat' (UTT) guidelines to fast-track progress towards the 95-95-95 ambitious targets to end the HIV epidemic. UTT has shown inconsistent results elsewhere and has not yet been assessed in Cameroon. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this novel approach on the quality of care and health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Methods

A retrospective cohort design was conducted at The Nkongsamba Regional Hospital, using routine clinical service delivery data to measure uptake levels of UTT and CD4 testing, and to compare the incidence of opportunistic infections (OI) between PLHIV initiated on ART based on the "Universal Test and Treat" strategy and those initiated on ART based on the standard deferred approach between 2002 and 2020. Kaplan Meier plots and log-rank tests were used to compare OI events between the pre-UTT and post-UTT eras. The Cox regression model was used to screen for factors independently associated with the risk of acquisition of OI.

Results

The uptake of UTT ranged from 39.1% to 92.8% while baseline CD4 count testing reduced drastically from 89.4% to 0.4% between 2016 to 2020 respectively. The median delay in ART initiation declined significantly from 21 days (IQR: 9 - 113) in the pre-UTT era to the same day of diagnosis (IQR: 0 - 2) in the UTT era (p < 0.001). The incidence of all OI events reported was over five times higher during the UTT era than in the pre-UTT era [aHR = 5.55 (95% CI: 3.18 - 9.69), p < 0.001].

Conclusion

The UTT policy has been effectively rolled out and has contributed to improved access to rapid and immediate ART initiation, but a higher incidence of OIs was observed with a rollback of baseline CD4 testing. We advocate for a return to routine baseline CD4 measurement to identify PLHIV who should benefit from interventions to prevent OIs for optimal outcomes under the UTT approach.

Identifying longitudinal patterns of HIV treatment (dis)engagement and re-engagement from oral histories of virologically unsuppressed persons in Uganda: A thematic trajectory analysis

BACKGROUND

There is limited study of persons deemed "harder to reach" by HIV treatment services, including those discontinuing or never initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted narrative research in southern Uganda with virologically unsuppressed persons identified through population-based sampling to discern longitudinal patterns in HIV service engagement and identify factors shaping treatment persistence.

METHODS

In mid-2022, we sampled adult participants with high-level HIV viremia (≥1000 RNA copies/mL) from the prospective, population-based Rakai Community Cohort Study. Using life history calendars, we conducted initial and follow-up in-depth interviews to elicit oral histories of participants' journeys in HIV care, from diagnosis to the present. We then used thematic trajectory analysis to identify discrete archetypes of HIV treatment engagement by "re-storying" participant narratives and visualizing HIV treatment timelines derived from interviews and abstracted clinical data.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight participants (median age: 34 years, 68% men) completed 75 interviews. We identified six HIV care engagement archetypes from narrative timelines: (1) delayed ART initiation, (2) early treatment discontinuation, (3) treatment cycling, (4) prolonged treatment interruption, (5) transfer-related care disruption, and (6) episodic viremia. Patterns of service (dis)engagement were highly gendered, occurred in the presence and absence of optimal ART adherence, and were shaped by various factors emerging at different time points, including: denial of HIV serostatus and disclosure concerns; worsening HIV-related symptoms; psychological distress and depression; social support; intimate partner violence; ART side effects; accessibility constraints during periods of mobility; incarceration; and inflexible ART dispensing regulations.

CONCLUSIONS

Identified trajectories uncovered heterogeneities in both the timing and drivers of ART (re-)initiation and (dis)continuity, demonstrating the distinct characteristics and needs of people with different patterns of HIV treatment engagement throughout the life course. Enhanced mental health service provision, expanded eligibility for differentiated service delivery models, and streamlined facility switching processes may facilitate timely (re-)engagement in HIV services.

Enhancing linkage to HIV care in the "Universal Test and Treat" era: Barriers and enablers to HIV care among adults in a high HIV burdened district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Ending AIDS by 2030 would depend on how successful health systems are in linking people living with HIV (PLHIV) into care. The World Health Organization recommended the 'Universal Test and Treat' (UTT) strategy - initiating all individuals testing positive on antiretroviral therapy (ART) irrespective of their CD4 count and clinical staging. This study aimed to explore the enablers and barriers to linkage to HIV care among adults with a new HIV diagnosis in a high-HIV prevalent rural district in South Africa. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore patients' perceptions of enablers and barriers of linkage-to-care, using a life-story narration and dialogue approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 38 HIV-positive participants sampled from a cohort of 1194 HIV-positive patients recruited from December 2017 to June 2018. Participants were selected based on whether they had been linked to care or not within 3 months of positive HIV diagnosis. Interviews were thematically analysed using a general inductive approach. Of the 38 participants, 22 (58%) linked to care within three months of HIV-positive diagnosis. Factors that facilitated or inhibited linkage-to-care were found at individual, family, community, as well as health systems levels. Enablers included a positive HIV testing experience, and assistance from the fieldwork team. Support from family, and friends, as well as prior community-based education about HIV and ART were also noted. Individual factors such as acceptance of HIV status, previous exposure to PLHIV, and fear of HIV progressing, were identified. Barriers to linkage included, denial of HIV status, dislike of taking pills, and preference for alternative medicine. Negative experiences with counselling and health systems inefficiency were also noted as barriers. Perceived stigma and socio-economic factors, such as lack of food or money to visit the clinic were other barriers. Community-based and health system-level interventions would need to focus on clinic readiness in providing patients with necessary and effective health services such as proper and adequate counselling. This could increase the number of patients who link to care. Finally, interventions to improve linkage-to-care should consider a holistic approach, including training healthcare providers, community outreach and the provision of psychological, social, and financial support.

Understanding the effects of universal test and treat on longitudinal HIV care outcomes among South African youth: a retrospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the effects of universal test and treat (UTT) policies on HIV care outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLHIV). Moreover, there is a paucity of information regarding when YLHIV are most susceptible to disengagement from care under the newest treatment guidelines. The longitudinal HIV care continuum is an underutilized tool that can provide a holistic understanding of population-level HIV care trajectories and be used to compare treatment outcomes across groups. We aimed to explore effects of the UTT policy on longitudinal outcomes among South African YLHIV and identify temporally precise opportunities for re-engaging this priority population in the UTT era.

METHODS

Using medical record data, we conducted a retrospective cohort study among youth aged 18-24 diagnosed with HIV from August 2015-December 2018 in nine health care facilities in South Africa. We used Fine and Gray sub-distribution proportional hazards models to characterize longitudinal care continuum outcomes in the population overall and stratified by treatment era of diagnosis. We estimated the proportion of individuals in each stage of the continuum over time and the restricted mean time spent in each stage in the first year following diagnosis. Sub-group estimates were compared using differences.

RESULTS

A total of 420 YLHIV were included. By day 365 following diagnosis, just 23% of individuals had no 90-or-more-day lapse in care and were virally suppressed. Those diagnosed in the UTT era spent less time as ART-naïve (mean difference=-19.3 days; 95% CI: -27.7, -10.9) and more time virally suppressed (mean difference = 17.7; 95% CI: 1.0, 34.4) compared to those diagnosed pre-UTT. Most individuals who were diagnosed in the UTT era and experienced a 90-or-more-day lapse in care disengaged between diagnosis and linkage to care or ART initiation and viral suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of UTT yielded modest improvements in time spent on ART and virally suppressed among South African YLHIV- however, meeting UNAIDS' 95-95-95 targets remains a challenge. Retention in care and re-engagement interventions that can be implemented between diagnosis and linkage to care and between ART initiation and viral suppression (e.g., longitudinal counseling) may be particularly important to improving care outcomes among South African YLHIV in the UTT era.

Thetha Nami ngithethe nawe (Let's Talk): a stepped-wedge cluster randomised trial of social mobilisation by peer navigators into community-based sexual health and HIV care, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), to reduce sexually transmissible HIV amongst young people in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) through universal test and treat (UTT) and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) substantially reduces HIV-related mortality and incidence. Effective ART based prevention has not translated into population-level impact in southern Africa due to sub-optimal coverage among youth. We aim to investigate the effectiveness, implementation and cost effectiveness of peer-led social mobilisation into decentralised integrated HIV and sexual reproductive health (SRH) services amongst adolescents and young adults in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

METHODS

We are conducting a type 1a hybrid effectiveness/implementation study, with a cluster randomized stepped-wedge trial (SWT) to assess effectiveness and a realist process evaluation to assess implementation outcomes. The SWT will be conducted in 40 clusters in rural KZN over 45 months. Clusters will be randomly allocated to receive the intervention in period 1 (early) or period 2 (delayed). 1) Intervention arm: Resident peer navigators in each cluster will approach young men and women aged 15-30 years living in their cluster to conduct health, social and educational needs assessment and tailor psychosocial support and health promotion, peer mentorship, and facilitate referrals into nurse led mobile clinics that visit each cluster regularly to deliver integrated SRH and differentiated HIV prevention (HIV testing, UTT for those positive, and PrEP for those eligible and negative). Standard of Care is UTT and PrEP delivered to 15-30 year olds from control clusters through primary health clinics. There are 3 co-primary outcomes measured amongst cross sectional surveys of 15-30 year olds: 1) effectiveness of the intervention in reducing the prevalence of sexually transmissible HIV; 2) uptake of universal risk informed HIV prevention intervention; 3) cost of transmissible HIV infection averted. We will use a realist process evaluation to interrogate the extent to which the intervention components support demand, uptake, and retention in risk-differentiated biomedical HIV prevention.

DISCUSSION

The findings of this trial will be used by policy makers to optimize delivery of universal differentiated HIV prevention, including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis through peer-led mobilisation into community-based integrated adolescent and youth friendly HIV and sexual and reproductive health care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier-NCT05405582. Registered: 6th June 2022.

Differences in Reasons for Late Presentation to HIV Care in Uganda Among Men and Women

Late presentation to HIV care, i.e., presenting with < 200 CD4 cells/mL, is associated with higher mortality and worse outcomes. Despite that, a quarter of people living with HIV in Uganda still present late to care. We surveyed Ugandans living with HIV who enrolled in clinic ≤ 90 days prior. We compared groups who presented 'late' with CD4 < 200 and 'early' with CD4 > 350, stratifying by sex. We found men who presented late had higher externalized stigma than early presenters. Thirty-six percent of the entire cohort were depressed. Social support was stronger in late presenters versus early, although weak overall. Social support was inversely correlated with depression, with social support dropping as depression increased. Interventions to improve clinic privacy, reduce stigma, improve social support, and help women disclose their HIV status to male partners are needed to reduce late presentation to HIV care.

Factors Influencing Rapid Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation at Four eThekwini Clinics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Timely uptake of Antiretroviral therapy considerably improves the health of people living with the Human Immunodeficiency virus. We conducted a cross-sectional study of newly HIV diagnosed individuals in four clinics in eThekwini municipality, KwaZulu-Natal. Data was collected between June 2020 and December 2020. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire after HIV testing, on the day of HIV diagnosis. We evaluated factors influencing uptake of same-day ART initiation in eThekwini clinics, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. Demographic information, health status, sexual behaviour, knowledge of universal test and treat (UTT), ART initiation uptake, and disclosure data was collected. Among the 403 participants, same-day initiation (SDI) was 69.2% (n = 279). We observed the number of sexual partners (aOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.15–0.81), HIV status of the partner (aOR 5.03; 95% CI 2.74–9.26) and knowledge of UTT (aOR 1.97; 95% CI 1.34–2.90) were identified as major factors influencing uptake of same-day ART initiation. More strategies are needed to achieve the SDI uptake within the framework of UTT.

Women's sexual scripting in the context of universal access to antiretroviral treatment-findings from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial in South Africa

BACKGROUND

HIV treatment-based prevention modalities present new opportunities for women to make decisions around sex, intimacy, and prevention. The Universal test and treat (UTT) strategy, where widespread HIV testing is implemented and all people with HIV can access treatment, has the potential to change how sex is understood and HIV prevention incorporated into sexual relationships. We use the frame of sexual scripting to explore how women attribute meaning to sex relative to UTT in an HIV prevention trial setting. Exploring women's sexual narratives, we explored how HIV prevention feature in the sexual scripts for women who had access to UTT in South Africa (prior to treatment guideline changes) and increased HIV prevention messaging, compared to places without widespread access to HIV testing and immediate access to treatment.

METHODS

We employed a two-phased thematic analysis to explore longitudinal qualitative data collected from 71 women (18-35 years old) between 2016 and 2018 as part of an HIV prevention trial in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Of the participants, 58/71 (82%) were from intervention communities while 13/71 (18%) lived in control communities without access to UTT. Twenty participants self-disclosed that they were living with HIV.

RESULTS

We found no narrative differences between women who had access to UTT and those who did not. HIV and HIV prevention, including treatment-based prevention modalities, were largely absent from women's thinking about sex. In their scripts, women idealised romantic sex, positioned sex as 'about relationships', and described risky sex as 'other'. When women were confronted by HIV risk (for example, when a partner disclosed his HIV-positive status) this created a point of disjuncture between this new perception of risk and their accepted relationship scripts.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that HIV-negative women did not include their partners' use of antiretroviral therapy in their sexual partnership choices. For these women, the preventive benefits of UTT are experienced passively-through community-wide viral suppression-rather than through their own behaviour change explicitly related to the availability of treatment as prevention. We propose that prevention-based modalities should be made available and supported and framed as an intervention to promote relationship well-being.

Effect of perceived HIV risk on initiation of antiretroviral therapy during the universal test and treat era in South Africa

BACKGROUND

South Africa has not achieved the 90-90-90 goals, in part due to low rates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation among those aware of their HIV status. Perceived risk of HIV at the time of testing may affect likelihood of rapid ART initiation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with perceived risk of HIV and the relationship between perceived HIV risk and rapid ART initiation during the universal test and treat era which was adapted in October 2016.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study of adults undergoing HIV testing from October 2016-February 2019 at Ithembalabantu Clinic in Durban. Eligible participants reported not previously being diagnosed with HIV. Before HIV testing, participants were asked to assess their perceived HIV risk on a four-level scale. We categorized "definitely not" and "probably not going to acquire HIV" as a low perceived risk, and "probably will" and "definitely will become HIV-infected" as a high perceived risk of HIV infection. Participants were followed for up to 14 months following HIV testing to assess ART initiation.

RESULTS

Among 1519 people newly diagnosed with HIV, 55% were female and mean age was 33 years. Among those, 1382 (90.9%) had a high HIV risk perception and 137 (9.1%) reported low HIV risk perception. In the low risk group individuals were more likely to be female (58% vs 55%), unemployed (62% vs 59%), have a partner with unknown HIV status (61% vs 55%) compared to the high risk group. 83.2% of those with low HIV risk perception reported previously HIV testing compared 91.5% of those with high HIV risk perception. In the multivariate model, males were associated with a higher chances of initiating ART compared to females (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.187, CI 1.187 (1.060-1.329) and being unemployed (aHR 0.767 CI (0.650-0.905). Those with a low HIV risk perception were less likely to initiate ART 125 (91%) vs 1310 (95%) p = 0.022), and took longer to initiate on ART after HIV diagnosis (11 days' vs 4 days, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSION

Factors associated with high HIV risk perception included being unemployed, single, and having a partner of unknown HIV status. People living with HIV (PLHIV) in South Africa who had a low self-perceived risk to HIV infection were less likely to initiate ART. Assessing self-perceived risk of HIV infection may help direct counselling and improve ART initiation to achieve universal 90-90-90 goal.

Implementing 'universal' access to antiretroviral treatment in South Africa: a scoping review on research priorities

‘Universal’ access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has become the global standard for treating people living with HIV and achieving epidemic control; yet, findings from numerous ‘test and treat’ trials and implementation studies in sub-Saharan Africa suggest that bringing ‘universal' access to ART to scale is more complex than anticipated. Using South Africa as a case example, we describe the research priorities and foci in the literature on expanded ART access. To do so, we adapted Arksey and O’Malley’s six-stage scoping review framework to describe the peer-reviewed literature and opinion pieces on expanding access to ART in South Africa between 2000 and 2017. Data collection included systematic searches of two databases and hand-searching of a sub-sample of reference lists. We used an adapted socio-ecological thematic framework to categorize data according to where it located the challenges and opportunities of expanded ART eligibility: individual/client, health worker–client relationship, clinic/community context, health systems infrastructure and/or policy context. We included 194 research articles and 23 opinion pieces, of 1512 identified, addressing expanded ART access in South Africa. The peer-reviewed literature focused on the individual and health systems infrastructure; opinion pieces focused on changing roles of individuals, communities and health services implementers. We contextualized our findings through a consultative process with a group of researchers, HIV clinicians and programme managers to consider critical knowledge gaps. Unlike the published literature, the consultative process offered particular insights into the importance of researching and intervening in the relational aspects of HIV service delivery as South Africa’s HIV programme expands. An overwhelming focus on individual and health systems infrastructure factors in the published literature on expanded ART access in South Africa may skew understanding of HIV programme shortfalls away from the relational aspects of HIV services delivery and delay progress with finding ways to leverage non-medical modalities for achieving HIV epidemic control.

Potential challenges to sustained viral load suppression in the HIV treatment programme in South Africa: a narrative overview

Background

South Africa, with one of the highest HIV prevalences in the world, introduced the universal test and treat (UTT) programme in September 2016. Barriers to sustained viral suppression may include drug resistance in the pre-treated population, non-adherence, acquired resistance; pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and concurrent use of alternative treatments.

Objective

The purpose of this review is to highlight potential challenges to achieving sustained viral load suppression in South Africa (SA), a major expectation of the UTT initiative.

Methodology

Through the PRISMA approach, published articles from South Africa on transmitted drug resistance; adherence to ARV; host genetic factors in drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and interactions between ARV and herbal medicine were searched and reviewed.

Results

The level of drug resistance in the pre-treated population in South Africa has increased over the years, although it is heterogeneous across and within Provinces. At least one study has documented a pre-treated population with moderate (> 5%) or high (> 15%) levels of drug resistance in eight of the nine Provinces. The concurrent use of ARV and medicinal herbal preparation is fairly common in SA, and may be impacting negatively on adherence to ARV. Only few studies have investigated the association between the genetically diverse South African population and pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ARVs.

Conclusion

The increasing levels of drug resistant viruses in the pre-treated population poses a threat to viral load suppression and the sustainability of first line regimens. Drug resistance surveillance systems to track the emergence of resistant viruses, study the burden of prior exposure to ARV and the parallel use of alternative medicines, with the goal of minimizing resistance development and virologic failure are proposed for all the Provinces of South Africa. Optimal management of the different drivers of drug resistance in the pre-treated population, non-adherence, and acquired drug resistance will be beneficial in ensuring sustained viral suppression in at least 90% of those on treatment, a key component of the 90-90-90 strategy.

Getting to 90-90-90: Experiences from the MaxART Early Access to ART for All (EAAA) Trial in Eswatini

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The MaxART Consortium-led by the Eswatini Ministry of Health-implemented multiple interventions between 2012 and 2017 to achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. We summarize key findings from community outreach strategies in support of the first 90 goal, and from the Early Access to ART for All (EAAA) trial on the implementation of a "Treat All" strategy to achieve the second and third 90 goals within a government-managed public health system.

RECENT FINDINGS

The MaxART Consortium demonstrated that "Fast Track," a problem-solving approach, was effective at increasing testing coverage in the community. Compared with baseline data at 3 months prior to the start of the Fast Track, there was a 273% proportional increase in HIV tests conducted among adolescent males, adolescent females, and adult men, and 722% over baseline for adolescent males. The MaxART EAAA trial further showed that implementation of the Treat All policy was associated with significant two-fold shorter time from enrollment into care to ART initiation than under the standard CD4+ cell threshold-based treatment guidelines. Finally, through the MaxART trial, Eswatini was able to identify areas for further investment, including addressing the system-side barriers to routine viral load monitoring, and designing and implementing innovative community-based approaches to reach individuals who were not more routinely accessing HIV testing and counseling services. As low- and middle-income countries adopt the Treat All approach in their national HIV care and treatment guidelines, further implementation science research is needed to understand and address the system-level barriers to achieving the benefits of Treat All for HIV-infected individuals and those at risk.

"Universal test and treat" program reduced TB incidence by 75% among a cohort of adults taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Gurage zone, South Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis (TB) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in peoples living with HIV and at least 25% of deaths are attributed to TB. Many countries implement the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) program for HIV, which is believed to reduce the incidence of TB. However, there are limited studies that evaluate the impact of UTT on TB incidence. Therefore, by recruiting a cohort of ART users in the "UTT" and "differed treatment" programs, we aim to measure the effect of the UTT program on TB incidence.

OBJECTIVE

To measure the effect of "UTT" program on TB incidence among a cohort of adults taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Gurage Zone, South Ethiopia.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted through record review over 5 years (2014-2019) in public health facilities in Gurage Zone. Three hundred eighty-four records were randomly selected and reviewed using a standardized structured checklist. Data was entered using Epi Info™ Version 7 and analyzed by STATA. A generalized linear model with binomial link function was fitted to measure the adjusted incidence density/incidence rate ratio and to identify predictors of incidence difference between the two programs.

RESULTS

During the follow up period, 39 incident TB cases were identified with an overall incidence rate of 4.79/100 person-year (PY). TB incidence was significantly lower in the UTT cohort (IR = 2.10/100 PY) in comparison to the differed program cohort (IR = 6.23/100 PY). The adjusted incidence rate ratio (AIRR) of TB among patients enrolled in the UTT program was; 0.25 (95% CI = 0.08-0.70). Thus, there was a reduction of TB incidence by 75% in the UTT program compared to differed program. In addition, IPT (isoniazid preventive therapy) use (AIRR = 0.35 (95% CI = 0.22-0.48)), WHO Stage I and II (AIRR = 0.70 (95% CI = 0.61-0.94)) and higher base line CD4 count (AIRR = 0.96 (95% CI = .94-0.99)) significantly reduced the incidence of TB. However, treatment failure increase the incidence (AIRR = 5.8 (95% CI = 1.93-8.46)).

CONCLUSION

TB incidence was significantly reduced by 75% after UTT. Therefore, intervention to further reduce the incidence has to focus on strengthening UTT program and IPT.

The effect of "universal test and treat" program on HIV treatment outcomes and patient survival among a cohort of adults taking antiretroviral treatment (ART) in low income settings of Gurage zone, South Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Through universal "test and treat approach" (UTT) it is believed that HIV new infection and AIDS related death will be reduced at community level and through time HIV can be eliminated. With this assumption the UTT program was implemented since 2016. However, the effect of this program in terms of individual patient survival and treatment outcome was not assessed in relation to the pre-existing defer treatment approach.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effects of UTT program on HIV treatment outcomes and patient survival among a cohort of adult HIV infected patients taking antiretroviral treatment in Gurage zone health facilities.

METHODS

Institution based retrospective cohort study was conducted in facilities providing HIV care and treatment. Eight years (2012-2019) HIV/AIDS treatment records were included in the study. Five hundred HIV/AIDS treatment records were randomly selected and reviewed. Data were abstracted using standardized checklist by trained health professionals; then it was cleaned, edited and entered by Epi info version 7 and analyzed by STATA. Cox model was built to estimate survival differences across different study variables.

RESULTS

A total of 500 patients were followed for 1632.6 person-year (PY) of observation. The overall incidence density rate (IDR) of death in the cohort was 3 per-100-PY. It was significantly higher for differed treatment program, which is 3.8 per-100-PY compared to 2.4 per-100-PY in UTT program with a p value of 0.001. The relative risk of death among differed cases was 1.58 times higher than the UTT cases. The cumulative probability of survival at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years was 98%, 90.2%, 89.2% and 88% respectively with difference between groups. The log rank test and Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated patients enrolled in the UTT program survived longer than patients enrolled in the differed treatment program (log rank X2 test = 4.1, p value = 0.04). Age, residence, base line CD4 count, program of enrolment, development of new OIS and treatment failure were predicted mortality from HIV infection.

CONCLUSION

Mortality was significantly reduced after UTT. Therefore, intervention to further reduce deaths has to focus on early initiation of treatment and strengthening UTT programs.

Predictors of lost to follow-up in a "test and treat" programme among adult women with high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND

Immediate uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) after an HIV-positive diagnosis (Test and Treat) is now being implemented in Uganda. Data are limited on lost to follow-up (LTFU) in high-risk cohorts that have initiated 'Test and Treat'. We describe LTFU in a cohort of women of high-risk sexual behaviour who initiated ART under "Test and Treat".

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of participant records at the Good Health for Women Project (GHWP) clinic, a clinic in Kampala for women at high-risk of HIV-infection. We included HIV positive women ≥18 years who initiated ART at GHWP between August 2014 and March 2018. We defined LTFU as not taking an ART refill for ≥3 months from the last clinic appointment among those not registered as dead or transferred to another clinic. We used the Kaplan-Meier technique to estimate time to LTFU after ART initiation. Predictors of LTFU were assessed using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The mean (±SD) age of the 293 study participants was 30.3 (± 6.5) years, with 274 (94%) reporting paid sex while 38 (13%) had never tested for HIV before enrolment into GHWP. LTFU within the first year of ART initiation was 16% and the incidence of LTFU was estimated at 12.7 per 100 person-years (95%CI 9.90-16.3). In multivariable analysis, participants who reported sex work as their main job at ART initiation (Adjusted Hazards Ratio [aHR] =1.95, 95%CI 1.10-3.45), having baseline WHO clinical stage III or IV (aHR = 2.75, 95% CI 1.30-5.79) were more likely to be LTFU.

CONCLUSION

LTFU in this cohort is high. Follow up strategies are required to support women on Test and Treat to remain on treatment, especially those who engage in sex work and those who initiate ART at a later stage of disease.

Effect of ART scale-up and female migration intensity on risk of HIV acquisition: results from a population-based cohort in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BACKGROUND

Despite increased antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage, the incidence of HIV infection among women in rural South Africa remains high. While many socio-demographic and behavioral factors have been identified, the effect of female migration intensity on the risk of HIV acquisition before and after ART scale-up has not been evaluated in the country.

METHODS

We followed 13,315 female participants aged 15-49 who were HIV-uninfected at baseline and recorded their migration events between 2004 and 2015. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, we estimated the time to HIV acquisition among the women, adjusting for annual migration intensity (high: ≥2 events/year, moderate = 1 event/year, and low = 0 event/year) before and after ART scale-up in 2010.

RESULTS

1998 (15%) new HIV-infection events were recorded during the observation period. Overall, high migration intensity was associated with an increased HIV acquisition risk among women when compared with low migration intensity (HR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.56-5.53). Among those with high migration intensity, the risk of HIV acquisition was significantly lower in the post-ART period compared to the pre-ART period, after controlling for key socio-demographic and behavioural covariates (aHR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.04-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Women who migrated frequently after ART scale-up had a significantly reduced HIV acquisition risk compared to those before its implementation. While this reduction is encouraging, women who migrate frequently remain at high risk of HIV acquisition. In the era of ART, there remains a critical need for public health interventions to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in this highly vulnerable population.

Timing and Predictors of Initiation on Antiretroviral Therapy Among Newly-Diagnosed HIV-Infected Persons in South Africa

Despite a decade of advancing HIV/AIDS treatment policy in South Africa, 20% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) eligible for antiretroviral treatment (ART) remain untreated. To inform universal test and treat (UTT) implementation in South Africa, this analysis describes the rate, timeliness and determinants of ART initiation among newly diagnosed PLHIV. This analysis used routine data from 35 purposively selected primary clinics in three high HIV-burden districts of South Africa from June 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015. Kaplan-Meier survival curves estimated the rate of ART initiation. We identified predictors of ART initiation rate and timely initiation (within 14 days of eligibility determination) using Cox proportional hazards and multivariable logistic regression models in Stata 14.1. Based on national guidelines, 6826 patients were eligible for ART initiation. Under half of men and non-pregnant women were initiated on ART within 14 days (men: 39.7.0%, 95% CI 37.7-41.9; women: 39.9%, 95% CI 38.1-41.7). Pregnant women initiated at a faster rate (within 14 days: 87.6%, 86.1-89.0). ART initiation and timeliness varied significantly by district, facility location, and age, with little to no variation by World Health Organization stage, or CD4 count. Men and non-pregnant women newly diagnosed with HIV who are eligible for ART in South Africa show suboptimal timeliness of ART initiation. If treatment initiation performance is not improved, UTT implementation will be challenging among men and non-pregnant women. UTT programming should be tailored to district and location categories to address contextual differences influencing treatment initiation.

Evidence of reduced treatment adherence among HIV infected paediatric and adolescent populations in Nairobi at the onset of the UNAIDS Universal Test and Treat Program

OBJECTIVE

We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy of the World Health Organization (WHO) "Universal Test and Treat" (UTT) policy, initiated in Kenya in September 2016. Under this policy, every human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected person should be initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We compared intra- and inter-group viral suppression and ART adherence rates for pre-UTT (initiated on ART in March-August 2016) and UTT groups (initiated in September 2016). The study was conducted in a community outreach Program in Nairobi with 3500 HIV-infected children enrolled.

RESULTS

122 children and adolescents were initiated on first-line ART pre-UTT, and 197 during the UTT period. The 6 month viral suppression rate was 79.7% pre-UTT versus 76.6% UTT (P < 0.05). Suboptimal adherence was higher in the UTT than pre-UTT period (88 of 197, 44.7% and 44 of 122, 34%; P < 0.001). The decrease in adherence was greater among orphans (91.7% pre-UTT and 87.2% UTT, P = 0.001) and children 11-18 years. Our results show that successful implementation of the UTT policy in Africa is challenged by an increased risk of suboptimal adherence. There is a need to develop extra strategies to support adherence, especially among orphans and teenagers.

Identification of misdiagnosed HIV clients in an Early Access to ART for All implementation study in Swaziland

Introduction: Rapid diagnostic testing has made HIV diagnosis and subsequent treatment more accessible. However, multiple factors, including improper implementation of testing strategies and clerical errors, have been reported to lead to HIV misdiagnosis. The World Health Organization has recommended HIV retesting prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation which has become pertinent with scaling up of Early Access to ART for All (EAAA). In this analysis, misdiagnosed clients are identified from a subgroup of clients enrolled in EAAA implementation study in Swaziland.

Methods: The subgroup to assess misdiagnosis was identified from enrolled EAAA study clients, who had an undetectable viral load prior to ART initiation between September 1, 2014 and May 31, 2016. One hundred and five of 2533 (4%) clients had an undetectable viral load prior to initiation to ART (pre-ART). The HIV status of clients was confirmed using the Determine HIV 1/2 and Uni-Gold HIV 1/2 rapid tests performed serially as recommended by the national testing algorithm. The status of clients on ART was additionally confirmed by fourth-generation HIV Ag/Ab combo tests, Architect and Genscreen Ultra.

Results: Fourteen of the 105 (13%) clients were false positive (HIV negative) on confirmation testing, of whom five (36%) were still in pre-ART care, while nine (64%) were in ART care. Overall, proportion of false positive was 0.6% (14/2533). The false-positive clients had a median CD4 of 791 cells/ml (interquartile range (IQR): 628, 967) compared to 549 cells/ml (IQR: 387, 791) for true positives (HIV positive) (p = 0.0081) and were nearly 20 years older (p = 0.0008).

Conclusions: Overall 0.6% of all enrolled EAAA clients were misdiagnosed, and 64% of misdiagnosed clients were initiated on ART. With adoption of EAAA guidelines by national governments, ART initiation regardless of immunological criteria, strengthening of proficiency testing and adoption of retesting prior to ART initiation would allow identification of misdiagnosed clients and further reduce potential of initiating misdiagnosed clients on ART.

Universal test, treat, and keep: improving ART retention is key in cost-effective HIV control in Uganda

Background

With ambitious new UNAIDS targets to end AIDS by 2030, and new WHO treatment guidelines, there is increased interest in the best way to scale-up ART coverage. We investigate the cost-effectiveness of various ART scale-up options in Uganda.

Methods

Individual-based HIV/ART model of Uganda, calibrated using history matching. 22 ART scale-up strategies were simulated from 2016 to 2030, comprising different combinations of six single interventions (1. increased HIV testing rates, 2. no CD4 threshold for ART initiation, 3. improved ART retention, 4. increased ART restart rates, 5. improved linkage to care, 6. improved pre-ART care). The incremental net monetary benefit (NMB) of each intervention was calculated, for a wide range of different willingness/ability to pay (WTP) per DALY averted (health-service perspective, 3% discount rate).

Results

For all WTP thresholds above $210, interventions including removing the CD4 threshold were likely to be most cost-effective. At a WTP of $715 (1 × per-capita-GDP) interventions to improve linkage to and retention/re-enrolment in HIV care were highly likely to be more cost-effective than interventions to increase rates of HIV testing. At higher WTP (> ~ $1690), the most cost-effective option was ‘Universal Test, Treat, and Keep’ (UTTK), which combines interventions 1–5 detailed above.

Conclusions

Our results support new WHO guidelines to remove the CD4 threshold for ART initiation in Uganda. With additional resources, this could be supplemented with interventions aimed at improving linkage to and/or retention in HIV care. To achieve the greatest reductions in HIV incidence, a UTTK policy should be implemented.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-017-2420-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mortality along the continuum of HIV care in Rwanda: a model-based analysis

Background

HIV is the leading cause of death among adults in sub-Saharan Africa. However, mortality along the HIV care continuum is poorly described. We combine demographic, epidemiologic, and health services data to estimate where are people with HIV dying along Rwanda’s care continuum.

Methods

We calibrated an age-structured HIV disease and transmission stochastic simulation model to the epidemic in Rwanda. We estimate mortality among HIV-infected individuals in the following states: untested, tested without establishing care in an antiretroviral therapy (ART) program (unlinked), in care before initiating ART (pre-ART), lost to follow-up (LTFU) following ART initiation, and retained in active ART care. We estimated mortality among people living with HIV in Rwanda through 2025 under current conditions, and with improvements to the HIV care continuum.

Results

In 2014, the greatest portion of deaths occurred among those untested (35.4%), followed by those on ART (34.1%), reflecting the large increase in the population on ART. Deaths among those LTFU made up 11.8% of all deaths among HIV-infected individuals in 2014, and in the base case this portion increased to 18.8% in 2025, while the contribution to mortality declined among those untested, unlinked, and in pre-ART. In our model only combined improvements to multiple aspects of the HIV care continuum were projected to reduce the total number of deaths among those with HIV, estimated at 8177 in 2014, rising to 10,659 in the base case, and declining to 5,691 with combined improvements in 2025.

Conclusion

Mortality among those untested for HIV contributes a declining portion of deaths among HIV-infected individuals in Rwanda, but the portion of deaths among those LTFU is expected to increase the most over the next decade. Combined improvements to the HIV care continuum might be needed to reduce the number of deaths among those with HIV.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-2052-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.