The Kenyan assistive technology ecosystem: a network analysis

BACKGROUND

Assistive technology is central to the realization of the rights of persons with disabilities. However, there remains limited access to assistive technology throughout much of the world, with particularly poor access in lower- and middle-income countries. Evaluating stakeholder engagement in assistive technology networks has been used as a successful strategy to understand and address gaps in the assistive technology ecosystem.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this research was to provide an overview of the Kenyan Assistive Technology Ecosystem, including available assistive products and related services, and an understanding of the nature and strength of relationships between stakeholders.

METHODS

In this study, we employed an online qualitative stakeholder survey (2021) with representatives of organizations involved in assistive technology in Kenya.

RESULTS

The assistive technology network in Kenya is distributed, with Government Ministries and Agencies and Organizations of persons with disabilities central to the network. The strength of relationships is concentrated on awareness and communication, with fewer organizations actively collaborating. Innovation training organizations are not yet well integrated into the network.

CONCLUSIONS

Improving access to assistive technology in Kenya will benefit from greater collaboration amongst all assistive technology stakeholders.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019-related clinic closures on HIV incidence in young adult MSM and transgender women in Kenya

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on risk of HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the impact of COVID-19-related clinic closures on HIV incidence in a cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women in Kenya.

METHODS

MSM and transgender women enrolled in a prospective, multicentre cohort study were followed quarterly for HIV testing, behaviour assessments, and risk. We estimated the HIV incidence rate and its 95% credible intervals (CrI) among participants who were HIV-negative before COVID-19-related clinic closure, comparing incidence rate and risk factors associated with HIV acquisition before vs. after clinic reopening, using a Bayesian Poisson model with weakly informative priors.

RESULTS

A total of 690 (87%) participants returned for follow-up after clinic reopening (total person-years 664.3 during clinic closure and 1013.3 after clinic reopening). HIV incidence rate declined from 2.05/100 person-years (95% CrI = 1.22-3.26, n  = 14) during clinic closures to 0.96/100 person-years (95% CrI = 0.41-2.07, n  = 10) after clinic reopening (IRR = 0.47, 95% CrI = 0.20-1.01). The proportion of participants reporting hazardous alcohol use and several sexual risk behaviours was higher during clinic closures than after clinic reopening. In multivariable analysis adjusting for study site and participant characteristics, HIV incidence was lower after clinic reopening (IRR 0.57, 95% CrI = 0.23-1.33). Independent risk factors for HIV acquisition included receptive anal intercourse (IRR 1.94, 95% CrI = 0.88-4.80) and perceived risk of HIV (IRR 3.03, 95% CRI = 1.40-6.24).

CONCLUSION

HIV incidence during COVID-19-related clinic closures was moderately increased and reduced after COVID-19 restrictions were eased. Ensuring access to services for key populations is important during public health emergencies.

Brief Report: HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness and Use Among Adolescents in Kenya

BACKGROUND

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective prevention tool; however, use among adolescents is thought to be low. To determine the unmet need and opportunity to expand use, we assessed awareness, prior use, and willingness to take PrEP among Kenyan adolescents.

METHODS

The Maneno Yetu study recruited a community-based sample of adolescents aged 15-19 years (N = 3061) in Kisumu for a survey using respondent-driven sampling.

RESULTS

Overall, 50% of adolescents had heard of PrEP and 2% had used PrEP. Girls were more likely than boys to have heard of PrEP (53.4% vs. 45.1%; P < 0.001) and used PrEP (3.6% vs. 0.3%; P < 0.001). Among participants, 14% engaged in transactional sex and 21% experienced forced sexual contact. PrEP use was higher among adolescents who engaged in transactional sex (4.8% vs. 0.6%; P < 0.001) and experienced forced sexual contact (2.7% vs. 0.7%; P < 0.001) compared with those who did not. Among adolescents with no prior use, 53% were willing to consider using PrEP, although girls were less willing than boys (49.7% vs. 55.9%; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PrEP is an important prevention tool, especially for adolescents whose circumstances potentially expose them to HIV-positive or unknown status sexual partners, yet remains underused, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although many expressed willingness to use PrEP, low awareness and use highlight the need to expand HIV prevention education and services tailored for adolescents. Our finding that boys were more willing to use PrEP suggests campaigns should also be designed to reach male youth to narrow the gender gap and expand uptake in the adolescent population.

Preferences of Pregnant and Postpartum Women for Differentiated Service Delivery in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Differentiated service delivery models are implemented by HIV care programs globally, but models for pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (PPWH) are lacking. We conducted a discrete choice experiment to determine women's preferences for differentiated service delivery.

SETTING

Five public health facilities in western Kenya.

METHODS

PPWH were enrolled from April to December 2022 and asked to choose between pairs of hypothetical clinics that differed across 5 attributes: clinic visit frequency during pregnancy (monthly vs. every 2 months), postpartum visit frequency (monthly vs. only with routine infant immunizations), seeing a mentor mother (each visit vs. as needed), seeing a clinician (each visit vs. as needed), and basic consultation cost (0, 50, or 100 Kenya Shillings [KSh]). We used multinomial logit modeling to determine the relative effects (β) of each attribute on clinic choice.

RESULTS

Among 250 PPWH (median age 31 years, 42% pregnant, 58% postpartum, 20% with a gap in care), preferences were for pregnancy visits every 2 months (β = 0.15), postpartum visits with infant immunizations (β = 0.36), seeing a mentor mother and clinician each visit (β = 0.05 and 0.08, respectively), and 0 KSh cost (β = 0.39). Preferences were similar when stratified by age, pregnancy, and retention status. At the same cost, predicted market choice for a clinic model with fewer pregnant/postpartum visits was 75% versus 25% for the standard of care (ie, monthly visits during pregnancy/postpartum).

CONCLUSION

PPWH prefer fewer clinic visits than currently provided within the standard of care in Kenya, supporting the need for implementation of differentiated service delivery for this population.

Population-Based Estimates and Predictors of Child and Adolescent Linkage to HIV Care or Death in Western Kenya

BACKGROUND

Population-level estimates of linkage to HIV care among children and adolescents (CAs) can facilitate progress toward 95-95-95 goals.

SETTING

This study was conducted in Bunyala, Chulaimbo, and Teso North subcounties, Western Kenya.

METHODS

Linkage to care was defined among CAs diagnosed with HIV through Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH)'s home-based counseling and testing initiative (HBCT) by merging HBCT and AMPATH Medical Record System data. Using follow-up data from Bunyala, we examined factors associated with linkage or death, using weighted multinomial logistic regression to account for selection bias from double-sampled visits. Based on the estimated model, we imputed the trajectory for each person in 3 subcounties until a simulated linkage or death occurred or until the end of 8 years when an individual was simulated to be censored.

RESULTS

Of 720 CAs in the analytic sample, 68% were between 0 and 9 years and 59% were female. Probability of linkage among CAs in the combined 3 subcounties was 48%-49% at 2 years and 64%-78% at 8 years while probability of death was 13% at 2 years and 19% at 8 years. Single or double orphanhood predicted linkage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33 to 5.32) and death (aOR: 9.85 [95% CI: 2.21 to 44.01]). Having a mother known to be HIV-positive also predicted linkage (aOR = 1.94, 95% CI: 0.97 to 3.86) and death (aOR: 14.49, 95% CI: 3.32 to 63.19).

CONCLUSION

HIV testers/counselors should continue to ensure linkage among orphans and CAs with mothers known to be HIV-positive and also to support other CAs to link to HIV care.

Age and CD4+ T cell counts are inversely associated with HIV drug resistance mutations in treatment naive female sex workers

The increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance mutations (HIVDRM) in untreated seropositive persons has consequences for future treatment options. This is extremely important in key populations such as female sex workers (FSWs), where the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and associated risk factors are unknown. In this study, we analyzed PDR and associated risk factors in recently diagnosed and treatment-naive FSWs in Nairobi, Kenya. In this cross-sectional study, we used 64 HIV-seropositive plasma samples collected from FSWs between November 2020 and April 2021. To identify HIVDRM, the pol gene was amplified and genotyped using sanger sequencing. The effects of age, tropism, CD4+ T cell count, subtype, and location on HIVDRM counts were examined using Poisson regression. Overall, the prevalence of PDR was 35.9% (95% CI: 24.3-48.9), which was strongly influenced by K103N and M184V mutations, which confer resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), respectively. Subtype A1 was predominant followed by subtype D with a notable increase in inter-subtype recombinants. We found statistically significant evidence that age was inversely related to HIVDRM. A FSW who is 1 year older had 12% less HIVDRM (incidence rate ratios [IRR]: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.82-0.95; P < .001), after adjusting for CD4+ T cell count, subtype, location, and tropism. Similarly, an increase in CD4+ T cell count by 1 unit, was associated with 0.4% fewer HIVDRM (IRR: 0.996; 95% CI: 0.994-0.998; P = .001), while controlling for the other variables. HIV-1 tropism was not associated with HIVDRM counts. In conclusion, our findings show a high prevalence of NNRTIs. Lower CD4+ T cell counts and younger age were significant risk factors that influenced HIVDRM loads. This finding underscores the relevance of targeted interventions and the importance of continuing to focus on FSWs as a way of addressing the HIV epidemic.

Weight Change Following Switch to Dolutegravir for HIV Treatment in Rural Kenya During Country Roll-Out

INTRODUCTION

Switch to dolutegravir (DTG) in treatment-experienced people living with HIV (PLH) is associated with excess weight gain in some settings; data are limited from rural low-income settings with low obesity prevalence.

METHODS

In rural Kenya, we conducted a retrospective cohort study at 8 HIV clinics and a single-site prospective cohort study including adults switching to DTG during countrywide transition to DTG/tenofovir DF(TDF)/emtricitabine as first-line HIV treatment. In the retrospective analysis, we used preswitch data to model postswitch weight trajectory had each participant not switched to DTG and contrasted observed vs. predicted postswitch weight. In the prospective analysis, we measured weight post-DTG switch and evaluated predictors of 6-month weight change.

RESULTS

Our retrospective cohort included 4445 PLH who switched to DTG between 2018 and 2020. Mean 12-month weight change was 0.6 kg preswitch and 0.8 kg postswitch. Among those on TDF throughout (n = 3374; 83% on efavirenz preswitch), 12-month postswitch weight was 0.7 kg more than predicted for women (95% CI: 0.4, 1.0) and similar among men (0.04 kg; 95% CI -0.3, 0.4). In our prospective cohort (n = 135, 100% female), mean 6-month weight change was +0.4 kg (IQR -1.1, 2.0 kg). Predicted gain varied by baseline food insecurity: +1.1 kg (95% CI: 0.34, 1.87) among food secure, -0.09 kg (95% CI -0.71, 0.54) among moderate insecure, and +0.27 kg (95% CI -0.82, 1.36) among severe insecurity.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to some reports of large weight gain following switch to DTG, we observed small weight increases in women and no weight change in men following DTG switch when on TDF throughout. Weight gain may be attenuated by food insecurity, though was modest even among food secure.

Condom Use Among Male Sex Workers With Their Male Clients in Mombasa, Kenya: Results of a Sub-analysis of a Pilot, Multilevel, Structural, HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention

ABSTRACT

Despite the advent of preexposure prophylaxis, consistent condom use continues to be recommended because preexposure prophylaxis does not prevent sexually transmitted infections. This is important for high-risk populations (e.g., male sex workers; MSW) in low-resource, high-HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevalence settings, such as the Mombasa region in Kenya. This study aimed to examine the relationship between MSW's condom use, and their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about condoms. MSW (N = 158) completed surveys on their sexual behaviors/practices/attitudes. We used multiple regressions to identify associations between condom use, HIV knowledge/attitudes, and self-efficacy. Three quarters of participants reported always using condoms in the past week, and 64.3% reported always using condoms in the past month with male clients. Mean scores for knowledge and attitudes/self-efficacy toward condoms/safer sex were positively associated with condom use. Interventions to build self-efficacy, such as condom negotiation, and/or bringing up condom use with clients may be useful for Kenyan MSW.

Faculty and students’ perspectives of online learning during COVID-19 crisis: Constraints and opportunities for Kenyan universities

At the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, all higher education institutions had to abruptly migrate from face-to-face mode of learning to virtual learning. Students and faculty members were thrown into the process of acquainting themselves with a fully virtual system. How prepared were institutions, faculty members, and students for the abrupt and massive transition to online learning? The study examined the faculty and students’ perspective of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study examined the perceptions of faculty and students on the preparedness of higher education institutions for online teaching and learning. The study also determined the perceptions of staff and students towards online education, constraints, and opportunities. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a public university in Kenya. A semi-structured interview was conducted on a total sample of 36 respondents; 24 students and 12 faculty members to capture unique, idiosyncratic and whole individual viewpoints. A conventional Content Analysis was done to determine words or concepts within the transcripts. The findings showed that the study institution, faculty members, and students were unprepared for the immediate and massive shift to online teaching and learning and had challenges using virtual technologies for teaching and learning during the lockdown. These challenges ranged from insufficient or lack of internet bandwidth, training, increased teaching and learning workloads to limited time for interactions. Based on the findings, the study suggests significant implications for higher education institution leaders, policymakers, faculty, and students. The study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the perceptions of faculty and students about the preparedness of institutions, faculty, and students on the abrupt shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Budd-Chiari syndrome and extensive inferior vena cava thrombosis treated with sequential interventional radiology and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting: A case report from Kenya

Budd-Chiari syndrome is a rare disease characterized by the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. Stepwise treatment options aimed to relieve obstruction and prevent complications of Budd-Chiari syndrome are medical therapy, interventional recanalization, and surgery. Aggressive interventions for complicated Budd-Chiari syndrome are placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, surgical shunting, or liver transplantation. Although literature suggests differences in the presentation and management between Europe and Asia, cases documenting successful use of stepwise management of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. A 47-year-old male on treatment for chronic hepatitis B presented with abdominal pain and distension for 2 weeks and findings of gross ascites without stigmata of chronic liver disease. Laboratory investigations performed showed anemia, elevated transaminases, coagulopathy, and renal dysfunction. Abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography abdominal scan revealed filling defects in intrahepatic veins and inferior vena cava extending to bilateral renal and external iliac veins. Extensive workup for thrombophilia and myeloproliferative disorders was negative. The diagnosis was hepatic dysfunction secondary to inferior vena cava obstruction due to a thrombus in the setting of extensive inferior vena cava thrombosis, and heparin was initiated. However, due to lack of recanalization with anticoagulation, we performed aspiration thrombectomy, balloon angioplasty, and local thrombolysis. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure was subsequently done due to hepatic venous congestion and refractory ascites. He was discharged on oral anticoagulation. Imaging exams performed 4 months later showed patent inferior vena cava and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, good flows in the portal vein and resolution of ascites.

Net charge and position 22 of the V3 loop are associated with HIV-1 tropism in recently infected female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection affects around 37 million people worldwide, and in Kenya, key populations especially female sex workers (FSW), are thought to play a substantial role in the wider, mostly heterosexual HIV-1 transmission structure. Notably, HIV tropism has been found to correlate with HIV-1 transmission and disease progression in HIV-infected patients. In this study, recently infected FSWs from Nairobi, Kenya, were assessed for HIV tropism and the factors related to it. We used a cross-sectional study design to analyze 76 HIV-1 positive plasma samples obtained from FSWs enrolled in sex worker outreach program clinics in Nairobi between November 2020 and April 2021. The effects of clinical, demographic, and viral genetic characteristics were determined using multivariable logistic regression. HIV-1 subtype A1 accounted for 89.5% of all cases, with a prevalence of CXCR4-tropic viruses of 26.3%. WebPSSMR5X4 and Geno2Pheno [G2P:10-15% false positive rate] showed high concordance of 88%. Subjects infected with CXCR4-tropic viruses had statistically significant lower baseline CD4+T-cell counts than those infected with CCR5-tropic viruses (P = .044). Using multivariable logistic regression and adjusting for potential confounders, we found that net charge, the amino acid at position 22 of the V3 loop, and the geographic location of the subject were associated with tropism. A unit increase in V3 loop's net-charge increased the odds of a virus being CXCR4-tropic by 2.4 times (OR = 2.40, 95%CI = 1.35-5.00, P = .007). Second, amino acid threonine at position 22 of V3 loop increased the odds of a strain being X4 by 55.7 times compared to the alanine which occurred in CCR5-tropic strains (OR = 55.7, 95%CI = 4.04-84.1, P < .003). The Kawangware sex worker outreach program clinic was associated with CXCR4-tropic strains (P = .034), but there was there was no evidence of a distinct CXCR4-tropic transmission cluster. In conclusion, this study revealed a high concordance of WebPSSMR5X4 and Geno2Pheno in predicting HIV tropism. The most striking finding was that amino acid position 22 of the V3 loop is linked to tropism in HIV-1 subtype A1. Additional studies with a large dataset are warranted to confirm our findings.

Modelling the impact of HIV and hepatitis C virus prevention and treatment interventions among people who inject drugs in Kenya

OBJECTIVES

People who inject drugs (PWID) in Kenya have high HIV (range across settings: 14-26%) and hepatitis C virus (HCV; 11-36%) prevalence. We evaluated the impact of existing and scaled-up interventions on HIV and HCV incidence among PWID in Kenya.

DESIGN

HIV and HCV transmission model among PWID, calibrated to Nairobi and Kenya's Coastal region.

METHODS

For each setting, we projected the impact (percent of HIV/HCV infections averted in 2020) of existing coverages of antiretroviral therapy (ART; 63-79%), opioid agonist therapy (OAT; 8-13%) and needle and syringe programmes (NSP; 45-61%). We then projected the impact (reduction in HIV/HCV incidence over 2021-2030), of scaling-up harm reduction [Full harm reduction ('Full HR'): 50% OAT, 75% NSP] and/or HIV (UNAIDS 90-90-90) and HCV treatment (1000 PWID over 2021-2025) and reducing sexual risk (by 25/50/75%). We estimated HCV treatment levels needed to reduce HCV incidence by 90% by 2030.

RESULTS

In 2020, OAT and NSP averted 46.0-50.8% (range of medians) of HIV infections and 50.0-66.1% of HCV infections, mostly because of NSP. ART only averted 12.9-39.8% of HIV infections because of suboptimal viral suppression (28-48%). Full HR and ART could reduce HIV incidence by 51.5-64% and HCV incidence by 84.6-86.6% by 2030. Also halving sexual risk could reduce HIV incidence by 68.0-74.1%. Alongside full HR, treating 2244 PWID over 2021-2025 could reduce HCV incidence by 90% by 2030.

CONCLUSION

Existing interventions are having substantial impact on HIV and HCV transmission in Kenya. However, to eliminate HIV and HCV, further scale-up is needed with reductions in sexual risk and HCV treatment.

Findings from a mixed-methods journey map study of barriers to family planning in western Kenya

Our objective was to map and prioritize barriers to high-quality family planning care in western Kenya. We conducted key informant interviews (n = 19); focus group discussions with clients (n = 55); mystery client visits (n = 180); unannounced visitors (n = 120); and direct observation of client-provider interactions (n = 256) at public facilities offering family planning. We synthesized the data into a client and a provider journey map, which we used to facilitate client (n = 9) and provider (n = 12) discussions. For both groups, stockouts were frequent, impactful, and important barriers. Clients also reported male partner resistance, insufficient counseling, and informal fees were priority barriers.

High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Messenger RNA Testing Using Urine, Cervicovaginal Self-Collected and Provider-Collected Cervical Samples Among Women in Mombasa, Kenya

ABSTRACT

We compared human papillomavirus messenger RNA testing using urine, self-, and provider-collected samples for the detection of high-grade cervical cytology and assessed acceptability of urine self-collection among females who engage in sex work in Kenya. Participants found urine sampling comfortable, but high-risk human papillomavirus messenger RNA detection in urine samples was less likely to detect high-grade lesions than self- and provider-collected cervical samples.

HIV Risk Factors and Risk Perception Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women: Results From a Population-Based Survey in Western Kenya, 2018

BACKGROUND

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV prevalence in adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is 2-fold to 3-fold higher than that in adolescent boys and young men. Understanding AGYW's perception of HIV risk is essential for HIV prevention efforts.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a HIV biobehavioral survey conducted in western Kenya in 2018. Data from AGYW aged 15-24 years who had a documented HIV status were included. We calculated weighted prevalence and evaluated factors associated with outcomes of interest (HIV infection and high risk perception) using generalized linear models to calculate prevalence ratios.

RESULTS

A total of 3828 AGYW were included; 63% were aged 15-19 years. HIV prevalence was 4.5% and 14.5% of sexually active AGYW had high risk perception. Over 70% of participants had accessed HIV testing and counseling in the past 12 months. Factors associated with both HIV infection and high risk perception included having an HIV-positive partner or partner with unknown status and having a sexually transmitted infection in the past 12 months. Having an older (by ≥10 years) partner was associated with HIV infection, but not high risk perception. Less than 30% of sexually active AGYW with 3 or more HIV risk factors had high perception of HIV risk.

CONCLUSION

Gaps in perceived HIV risk persist among AGYW in Kenya. High access to HIV testing and prevention services in this population highlights platforms through which AGYW may be reached with improved risk counseling, and to increase uptake of HIV prevention strategies.

Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infection Using Wet and Dry Self-Collected Brush Samples Among Women in Mombasa, Kenya

ABSTRACT

We compared detection of Chlamydia trachomatis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , and Trichomonas vaginalis using dry and wet self-collected samples using brushes among females who engage in sex work in Mombasa, Kenya. Detection of T. vaginalis and N. gonorrhoeae in dry and wet samples was similar, but C. trachomatis detection in dry samples appeared lower.

Trajectories of Depression Symptoms From Pregnancy Through 24 months Postpartum Among Kenyan Women Living With HIV

BACKGROUND

We examined longitudinal patterns and cofactors of depressive symptoms among pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (WLWH).

METHODS

This study used data from a randomized trial of a text messaging intervention. WLWH were serially assessed for depressive symptoms from pregnancy through 24 months postpartum at 6 time points (pregnancy, 6 weeks, and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postpartum). Depressive symptoms were assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and longitudinal patterns using group-based trajectory modeling. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms (MSD) correlates were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

Among 824 enrolled women, 14.6% ever had MSD during pregnancy or postpartum; 8.6% of WLWH had MSD in pregnancy and 9.0% any postpartum MSD. MSD was associated with abuse [RR: 3.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6 to 5.4], stigma (RR: 4.4, 95% CI: 3.1 to 6.3), and food insecurity (RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.9 to 3.8). Unintended pregnancy (RR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.3) and recent HIV diagnosis (RR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.6) were associated with higher MSD risk, whereas HIV status disclosure to partner (RR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2 to 0.6) and social support (RR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96 to 0.98) were associated with lower risk. Trajectory modeling identified 4 phenotypes of peripartum depressive symptoms: persistent no/low symptoms (38.5%), mild symptoms resolving postpartum (12.6%), low symptoms increasing slightly in postpartum (47.9%), and persistent moderate-severe symptoms throughout (1.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

WLWH attending PMTCT services had varied patterns of depressive symptoms, which were associated with stressors (recent diagnosis and food insecurity) and factors reflecting low social power (abuse, stigma, and unintended pregnancy). Women experiencing concurrent abuse, stigma, and food insecurity should be prioritized for interventions to prevent persistent depression.

Targeted Implementation of HIV Self-Testing Increases Testing Uptake Among Partners of Index Persons Known to Have HIV in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Partners of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) are at a high risk of HIV acquisition, particularly if PLHIV are newly diagnosed or not virally suppressed. A focused partner HIV testing strategy could stimulate efficient identification of persons for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs.

METHODS

We sequentially implemented 2 partner testing strategies at 2 Kenyan HIV clinics: (1) an invitation for clinic-based testing and (2) HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits distribution to index PLHIV. For each testing strategy, we enrolled approximately 150 consecutive index PLHIV with partners of unknown HIV status, not on ART, <6 months on ART, or who had detectable viral load. We compared partner engagement, testing uptake, and linkage for ART or PrEP between the 2 testing strategies.

RESULTS

Of 313 index PLHIV enrolled (160 in invitation, 153 in HIVST), the median age was 32 years (interquartile range 26-40) and 76% were women. Overall, 73% of participants (229) discussed HIV testing with their partners: 76% (121) in the invitation strategy vs 71% (108) in the HIVST strategy [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR): 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31 to 0.97]. Overall, 52% (79) partners in the HIVST strategy tested vs 38% (60) in the invitation strategy (adjOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.78). Among partners engaged, 73% in the HIVST strategy vs 50% in the invitation tested (adjOR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.46 to 4.96); 25% (35/139) tested positive for HIV. Eighty-nine percentage (31/35) who tested positive initiated treatment, but only 21% (20/93) who tested negative initiated PrEP.

CONCLUSIONS

HIVST kit distribution to PLHIV with partners of unknown HIV status effectively increased partner testing. Only one-fifth of partners who tested negative initiated PrEP-thus innovations to link to prevention services are urgently needed.

Understanding Diagnostic Delays for Kaposi Sarcoma in Kenya: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Although HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is frequently diagnosed at an advanced stage in sub-Saharan Africa, reasons for diagnostic delays have not been well described.

METHODS

We enrolled patients >18 years with newly diagnosed KS between 2016 and 2019 into the parent study, based in western Kenya. We then purposively selected 30 participants with diversity of disease severity and geographic locations to participate in semistructured interviews. We used 2 behavioral models in developing the codebook for this analysis: situated Information, Motivation, and Behavior framework and Andersen model of total patient delay. We then analyzed the interviews using framework analysis.

RESULTS

The most common patient factors that delayed diagnosis were lack of KS awareness, seeking traditional treatments, lack of personal efficacy, lack of social support, and fear of cancer, skin biopsy, amputation, and HIV diagnosis. Health system factors that delayed diagnosis included previous negative health care interactions, incorrect diagnoses, lack of physical examination, delayed referral, and lack of tissue biopsy availability. Financial constraints were prominent barriers for patients to access and receive care. Facilitators for diagnosis included being part of an HIV care network, living near health facilities, trust in the health care system, desire to treat painful or disfiguring lesions, and social support.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of KS awareness among patients and providers, stigma surrounding diagnoses, and health system referral delays were barriers in reaching KS diagnosis. Improved public health campaigns, increased availability of biopsy and pathology facilities, and health provider training about KS are needed to improve early diagnosis of KS.

Modeling the Impact of HIV-1 Nucleic Acid Testing Among Symptomatic Adult Outpatients in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Up to 69% of adults who acquire HIV in Kenya seek care before seroconversion, providing an important opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment. The Tambua Mapema Plus (TMP) trial tested a combined HIV-1 nucleic acid testing, linkage, treatment, and partner notification intervention for adults aged 18-39 years with symptoms of acute HIV infection presenting to health facilities in coastal Kenya. We estimated the potential impact of TMP on the Kenyan HIV epidemic.

METHODS

We developed an agent-based network model of HIV-1 transmission using TMP data and Kenyan statistics to estimate potential population-level impact of targeted facility-based testing over 10 years. Three scenarios were modeled: standard care [current use of provider-initiated testing and counseling (PITC)], standard HIV rapid testing scaled to higher coverage obtained in TMP (scaled-up PITC), and the TMP intervention.

RESULTS

Standard care resulted in 90.7% of persons living with HIV (PLWH) knowing their status, with 67.5% of those diagnosed on treatment. Scaled-up PITC resulted in 94.4% of PLWH knowing their status and 70.4% of those diagnosed on treatment. The TMP intervention achieved 97.5% of PLWH knowing their status and 80.6% of those diagnosed on treatment. The percentage of infections averted was 1.0% (95% simulation intervals: -19.2% to 19.9%) for scaled-up PITC and 9.4% (95% simulation intervals: -8.1% to 24.5%) for TMP.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that leveraging new technologies to identify acute HIV infection among symptomatic outpatients is superior to scaled-up PITC in this population, resulting in >95% knowledge of HIV status, and would reduce new HIV infections in Kenya.

Distinct forms of migration and mobility are differentially associated with HIV treatment adherence

OBJECTIVE

We examined whether human mobility was associated with antiretroviral treatment adherence, measured via antiretroviral hair concentrations.

DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional analysis of adults on antiretroviral treatment in East Africa at baseline in an observational cohort study.

METHODS

Participants reported recent mobility (overnight travel) and histories of migration (changes of residence), including reasons, frequency/duration, and locations. Hair antiretroviral concentrations were analyzed using validated methods. We estimated associations between mobility and antiretroviral concentrations via linear regression adjusted for age, sex, region, years on treatment.

RESULTS

Among 383 participants, half were women and the median age was 40. Among men, 25% reported recent work-related mobility, 30% nonwork mobility, and 11% migrated in the past year (mostly across district boundaries); among women, 6 and 57% reported work-related and nonwork mobility, respectively, and 8% recently migrated (mostly within district). Those reporting work-related trips 2 nights or less had 72% higher hair antiretroviral levels (P = 0.02) than those who did not travel for work; in contrast, nonwork mobility (any duration, vs. none) was associated with 24% lower levels (P = 0.06). Intra-district migrations were associated with 59% lower antiretroviral levels than nonmigrants (P = 0.003) while inter-district migrations were not (27% higher, P = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

We found that localized/intra-district migration and nonwork travel-more common among women-were associated with lower adherence, potentially reflecting care interruptions or staying with family/friends unaware of the participants' status. In contrast, short work-related trips-more common among men-were associated with higher adherence, perhaps reflecting higher income. Adherence interventions may require tailoring by sex and forms of mobility.

Facing Our Fears: The Impact of a 4-Day Training Intervention to Reduce Negative Perspectives on Sexual and Gender Minorities among Religious Leaders in Kenya

This study evaluated short- and long-term impact of a 4-day training intervention to reduce negative perspectives of religious leaders in Kenya on sexual and gender minorities, adopting a one-group pretest-posttest-follow-up design. Religious leaders' perspectives play an important role in maintaining the negative status quo for sexual and gender minorities, especially in Africa, where religion's impact is ubiquitous and holding negative attitudes against these populations is perceived as an expression of doctrinal orthodoxy. The training, developed by a community-based organization, employs a variety of strategies, including education, storytelling, and in-person contact. Data were collected directly before and after the training, and at 3- to 4-months follow-up. After the training, acceptance of lesbian women and gay men and gender diversity had increased, while attitudes toward gender and sexual minorities became more positive. Interaction effect analysis showed that compared to women, men changed more, as did those who scored higher on religious fundamentalism. Changes in attitudes were maintained at follow-up (three to four months). Although it is not clear whether the training had an impact on the religious leaders' interactions with members of their congregation, these findings suggest that intensive trainings may promote positive changes in their perspective on gender and sexual minorities.

Effectiveness of screened ceilings over the current best practice in reducing malaria prevalence in western Kenya: a cluster randomised controlled trial

Increases in bed net coverage and antimalarial treatment have reduced the risk of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the pace of reduction has slowed, and new tools are needed to reverse this trend. We evaluated houses screened with insecticide-treated ceiling nets using a cluster randomized-controlled trial in western Kenya. The primary endpoints were Plasmodium falciparum PCR-positive prevalence (PCRPf PR) of children from 7 months to 10 years old and anopheline density. Ceiling nets and bed nets were provided to 1073 houses, and 1162 houses were provided with bed nets only. The treatment and control arms each had four clusters. We conducted three epidemiological and entomological post-intervention surveys over the course of a year and a half. Each epidemiological survey targeted 150 children per cluster, and entomological surveys targeted 25 houses. When the three surveys were combined, the median PCRPf PRs were 23% (IQR 8%) in the intervention arm and 42% (IQR 12%) in the control arm. The adjusted risk ratio (RR) was 0.53 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41–0.71; P = 0.029]. The median anopheline densities were 0.4 (IQR 0.4) and 2.0 (IQR 1.4), respectively. The adjusted RR was 0.41 (95% CI 0.29–0.90; P = 0.029). The present study indicates additional protection from insecticide-screened ceilings over the current best practice.

HIV-1 Treatment Failure, Drug Resistance, and Clinical Outcomes in Perinatally Infected Children and Adolescents Failing First-Line Antiretroviral Therapy in Western Kenya

BACKGROUND

Long-term impact of drug resistance in perinatally infected children and adolescents living with HIV (CALWH) is poorly understood. We determined drug resistance and examined its long-term impact on failure and mortality in Kenyan CALWH failing first-line non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy (ART).

SETTING

Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare, western Kenya.

METHODS

Participants were enrolled in 2010-2013 (timepoint 1) and a subsample re-enrolled after 4-7 years (timepoint 2). Viral load (VL) was performed on timepoint 1 samples, with genotyping of those with detectable VL. Primary endpoints were treatment failure (VL >1000 copies/mL) at and death before timepoint 2. Multinomial regression analysis was used to characterize resistance effect on death, failure, and loss-to-follow-up, adjusting for key variables.

RESULTS

The initial cohort (n = 480) was 52% (n = 251) female, median age 8 years, median CD4% 31%, 79% (n = 379) on zidovudine/abacavir + lamivudine + efavirenz/nevirapine for median 2 years. Of these, 31% (n = 149) failed at timepoint 1. Genotypes at timepoint 1, available on n = 128, demonstrated 93% (n = 119) extensive resistance, affecting second line. Of 128, 22 failed at timepoint 2, 17 died, and 32 were lost to follow-up before timepoint 2. Having >5 resistance mutations at timepoint 1 was associated with higher mortality [relative risk ratio (RRR) = 8.7, confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 36.3] and loss to follow-up (RRR = 3.2, CI 1.1 to 9.2). Switching to second line was associated with lower mortality (RRR <0.05, CI <0.05 to 0.1) and loss to follow-up (RRR = 0.1, CI <0.05 to 0.3).

CONCLUSION

Extensive resistance and limited switch to second line in perinatally infected Kenyan CALWH failing first-line ART were associated with long-term failure and mortality. Findings emphasize urgency for interventions to sustain effective, life-long ART in this vulnerable population.

Pseudo-pheochromocytoma due to obstructive sleep apnea: a case report

SUMMARY

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition of intermittent nocturnal upper airway obstruction. OSA increases sympathetic drive which may result in clinical and biochemical features suggestive of pheochromocytoma. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with a 2.9-cm left adrenal incidentaloma on CT, hypertension, symptoms of headache, anxiety and diaphoresis, and persistently elevated 24-h urine norepinephrine (initially 818 nmol/day (89-470)) and normetanephrine (initially 11.2 µmol/day (0.6-2.7)). He was started on prazosin and underwent left adrenalectomy. Pathology revealed an adrenal corticoadenoma with no evidence of pheochromocytoma. Over the next 2 years, urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine remained significantly elevated with no MIBG avid disease. Years later, he was diagnosed with severe OSA and treated with continuous positive airway pressure. Urine testing done once OSA was well controlled revealed complete normalization of urine norepinephrine and normetanephrine with substantial symptom improvement. It was concluded that the patient never had a pheochromocytoma but rather an adrenal adenoma with biochemistry and symptoms suggestive of pheochromocytoma due to untreated severe OSA. Pseudo-pheochromocytoma is a rare presentation of OSA and should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines in the right clinical setting.

LEARNING POINTS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition among adults. OSA may rarely present as pseudo-pheochromocytoma with symptoms of pallor, palpitations, perspiration, headache, or anxiety. OSA should be considered on the differential of elevated urine catecholamines and metanephrines, especially in patients with negative metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scan results.

Chronic respiratory disease in adult outpatients in three African countries: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: The greatest burden of chronic respiratory disease is in low- and middle-income countries, with recent population-based studies reporting substantial levels of obstructive and restrictive lung function.OBJECTIVE: To characterise the common chronic respiratory diseases encountered in hospital outpatient clinics in three African countries.METHODS This was a cross-sectional study of consecutive adult patients with chronic respiratory symptoms (>8 weeks) attending hospital outpatient departments in Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan. Patients were assessed using a respiratory questionnaire, spirometry and chest radiography. The diagnoses of the reviewing clinicians were ascertained.RESULT: A total of 519 patients (209 Kenya, 170 Ethiopia, 140 Sudan) participated; the mean age was 45.2 years (SD 16.2); 53% were women, 83% had never smoked. Reviewing clinicians considered that 36% (95% CI 32-40) of patients had asthma, 25% (95% CI 21-29) had chronic bronchitis, 8% (95% CI 6-11) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 5% (95% CI 4-8) bronchiectasis and 4% (95% CI 3-6) post-TB lung disease. Spirometry consistent with COPD was present in 35% (95% CI 30-39). Restriction was evident in 38% (95% CI 33-43). There was evidence of sub-optimal diagnosis of asthma and COPD.CONCLUSION: In Ethiopia, Kenya and Sudan, asthma, COPD and chronic bronchitis account for the majority of diagnoses in non-TB patients with chronic respiratory symptoms. The suboptimal diagnosis of these conditions will require the widespread use of spirometry.

Interferon Gamma Release Assay and Tuberculin Skin Test Performance in Pregnant Women Living With and Without HIV

BACKGROUND

HIV and pregnancy may affect latent TB infection (LTBI) diagnostics. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and newer generation QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) evaluations in pregnant women living with HIV (WLHIV) and without HIV are lacking.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women underwent TST and QFT-Plus testing during antenatal care in Kenya. We estimated LTBI prevalence and TST and QFT-Plus performances. Diagnostic agreement was assessed with kappa statistic, participant characteristics associated with LTBI and HIV were assessed with generalized linear models, and QFT-Plus quantitative responses were assessed with Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

We enrolled 400 pregnant women (200 WLHIV/200 HIV-negative women) at median 28 weeks gestation (interquartile range 24-30). Among WLHIV (all on antiretroviral therapy), the median CD4 count was 464 cells/mm3 (interquartile range 325-654); 62.5% (125) had received isoniazid preventive therapy. LTBI prevalence was 35.8% and similar among WLHIV and HIV-negative women. QFT-Plus testing identified 3-fold more women with LTBI when compared with TST (32% vs. 12%, P < 0.0001). QFT-Plus positivity prevalence was similar regardless of HIV status, although TB-specific antigen responses were lower in WLHIV than in HIV-negative women with LTBI (median QFT-TB1 1.05 vs. 2.65 IU/mL, P = 0.035; QFT-TB2 1.26 vs. 2.56 IU/mL, P = 0.027). TST positivity was more frequent among WLHIV than among HIV-negative women (18.5% vs 4.6%; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

QFT-Plus assay had higher diagnostic yield than TST for LTBI in WLHIV and HIV-negative women despite lower TB-specific antigen responses in WLHIV. Higher TST positivity was observed in WLHIV. LTBI diagnostic performance in the context of pregnancy and HIV has implications for clinical use and prevention studies, which rely on these diagnostics for TB infection entry criteria or outcomes.

Kenyan HIV Clinics With Youth-Friendly Services and Trained Providers Have a Higher Prevalence of Viral Suppression Among Adolescents and Young Adults: Results From an Observational Study

ABSTRACT

Sustained viral suppression in adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYALWH) is necessary for epidemic control. We evaluated facility and individual correlates of viral suppression using programmatic data from AYALWH between ages 10 and 24 years at 24 HIV clinics in Kenya. Binomial regression was used to evaluate correlates of viral load (VL) suppression (<1,000 copies/ml). Of 5,316 AYALWH on antiretroviral therapy ≥6 months, 2,081 (39%) had VLs available in the medical record, of which 76% were virally suppressed. In multivariable analyses, antiretroviral therapy initiation among AYALWH older than 10 years was associated with higher viral suppression than initiation younger than 10 years (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 10-14 = 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.97-1.10; aRR 15-19 = 1.30, 95% CI 1.19-1.41; aRR 20-24 = 1.43, 95% CI 1.24-1.63). Facilities with both youth-friendly services (YFS) and trained providers had significantly higher VL suppression compared with facilities without YFS or trained providers (adjusted odds ratio: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.71-2.52). Viral suppression remains suboptimal among AYALWH. YFS and trained providers plus greater use of VL data may help increase viral suppression among AYALWH.

Brief Report: "What Is This PrEP?"-Sources and Accuracy of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Attending Family Planning and Maternal Child Health Clinics in Western Kenya

BACKGROUND

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) is scaling up in sub-Saharan African countries. Understanding how AGYW learn about PrEP is needed to inform programs seeking to reach AGYW with HIV prevention tools.

METHODS

AGYW (ages 15-24), attending routine family planning and maternal child health clinics in Kisumu, Kenya, participated in in-depth interviews. AGYW were recruited if they either declined or accepted PrEP when offered that day in clinic or were currently or previously on PrEP. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to the type and quality of knowledge sources from which AGYW first became aware of PrEP.

RESULTS

Overall, 140 in-depth interviews were conducted with AGYW. The median age was 21.5 years (interquartile range: 20.0-23.0), 65% of participants were married, and almost half (45.7%) were currently taking PrEP. Participants reported learning about PrEP from 3 primary sources: (1) clinic-based education; (2) friends, family, or other PrEP users; and (3) media and community outreach. Participants who reported learning about PrEP from friends or family were highly enthusiastic about PrEP. The accuracy and completeness of knowledge varied with most inaccuracies around the cost, dosing, and who benefits from PrEP. Community outreach campaigns provided fewer details, resulting in more inaccurate information and distrust of information received.

CONCLUSION

PrEP information reaches AGYW through many sources with variable accuracy and completeness. Training providers and peer leaders to disseminate thorough and accurate PrEP information when counseling AGYW could positively impact acceptance and proper use.

Cost of TB services in healthcare facilities in Kenya (No 3)

BACKGROUND: The reduction of Kenya´s TB burden requires improving resource allocation both to and within the National TB, Leprosy and Lung Disease Program (NTLD-P). We aimed to estimate the unit costs of TB services for budgeting by NTLD-P, and allocative efficiency analyses for future National Strategic Plan (NSP) costing.METHODS: We estimated costs of all TB interventions in a sample of 20 public and private health facilities from eight counties. We calculated national-level unit costs from a health provider´s perspective using bottom-up (BU) and top-down (TD) approaches for the financial year 2017-2018 using Microsoft Excel and STATA v16.RESULTS: The mean unit cost for passive case-finding (PCF) was respectively US$38 and US$60 using the BU and TD approaches. The unit BU and TD costs of a 6-month first-line treatment (FLT) course, including monitoring tests, was respectively US$135 and US$160, while those for adult drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) treatment was respectively US$3,230.28 and US$3,926.52 for the 9-month short regimen. Intervention costs highlighted variations between BU and TD approaches. Overall, TD costs were higher than BU, as these are able to capture more costs due to inefficiency (breaks/downtime/leave).CONCLUSION: The activity-based TB unit costs form a comprehensive cost database, and the costing process has built-in capacity within the NTLD-P and international TB research networks, which will inform future TB budgeting processes.

Diagnostic performance of a colorimetric RT -LAMP for the identification of SARS-CoV-2: A multicenter prospective clinical evaluation in sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND

Management and control of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is critically dependent on quick and reliable identification of the virus in clinical specimens. Detection of viral RNA by a colorimetric reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) is a simple, reliable and cost-effective assay, deployable in resource-limited settings (RLS). Our objective was to evaluate the intrinsic and extrinsic performances of RT-LAMP in RLS.

METHODS

This is a multicenter prospective observational study of diagnostic accuracy, conducted from October 2020 to February 2021 in four African Countries: Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria; and in Italy. We enroled 1657 individuals who were either COVID-19 suspect cases, or asymptomatic and presented for screening. RNA extracted from pharyngeal swabs was tested in parallel by a colorimetric RT-LAMP and by a standard real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

FINDINGS

The sensitivity and specificity of index RT LAMP compared to standard RT-PCR on 1657 prospective specimens from infected individuals was determined. For a subset of 1292 specimens, which underwent exactly the same procedures in different countries, we obtained very high specificity (98%) and positive predictive value (PPV = 99%), while the sensitivity was 87%, with a negative predictive value NPV = 70%, Stratification of RT-PCR data showed superior sensitivity achieved with an RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) below 35 (97%), which decreased to 60% above 35.

INTERPRETATION

In this field trial, RT-LAMP appears to be a reliable assay, comparable to RT-PCR, particularly with medium-high viral loads (Ct < 35). Hence, RT-LAMP can be deployed in RLS for timely management and prevention of COVID-19, without compromising the quality of output.

The Etiology of Pneumonia in HIV-uninfected Children in Kilifi, Kenya: Findings From the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health (PERCH) Study

BACKGROUND

In the 1980s, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were identified as the principal causes of severe pneumonia in children. We investigated the etiology of severe childhood pneumonia in Kenya after introduction of conjugate vaccines against H. influenzae type b, in 2001, and S. pneumoniae, in 2011.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study between August 2011 and November 2013 among residents of the Kilifi Health and Demographic Surveillance System 28 days to 59 months of age. Cases were hospitalized at Kilifi County Hospital with severe or very severe pneumonia according to the 2005 World Health Organization definition. Controls were randomly selected from the community and frequency matched to cases on age and season. We tested nasal and oropharyngeal samples, sputum, pleural fluid, and blood specimens and used the Pneumonia Etiology Research for Child Health Integrated Analysis, combining latent class analysis and Bayesian methods, to attribute etiology.

RESULTS

We enrolled 630 and 863 HIV-uninfected cases and controls, respectively. Among the cases, 282 (44%) had abnormal chest radiographs (CXR positive), 33 (5%) died in hospital, and 177 (28%) had diagnoses other than pneumonia at discharge. Among CXR-positive pneumonia cases, viruses and bacteria accounted for 77% (95% CrI: 67%-85%) and 16% (95% CrI: 10%-26%) of pneumonia attribution, respectively. Respiratory syncytial virus, S. pneumoniae and H. influenza, accounted for 37% (95% CrI: 31%-44%), 5% (95% CrI: 3%-9%), and 6% (95% CrI: 2%-11%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Respiratory syncytial virus was the main cause of CXR-positive pneumonia. The small contribution of H. influenzae type b and pneumococcus to pneumonia may reflect the impact of vaccine introductions in this population.

Postmortem Study of Cause of Death Among Children Hospitalized With Respiratory Illness in Kenya

BACKGROUND

In resource-limited settings, acute respiratory infections continue to be the leading cause of death in young children. We conducted postmortem investigations in children <5 years hospitalized with a clinical diagnosis of respiratory disease at Kenya's largest referral hospital.

METHODS

We collected respiratory and other tissues postmortem to examine pathologic processes using histology, molecular and immunohistochemistry assays. Nasopharyngeal, trachea, bronchi and lung specimens were tested using 21-target respiratory pathogen real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays deployed on Taqman Array Cards. Expert panels reviewed all findings to determine causes of death and associated pathogens.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2015, we investigated 64 pediatric deaths (median age 7 months). Pneumonia was determined as cause of death in 70% (42/52) of cases where death was associated with an infectious disease process. The main etiologies of pneumonia deaths were respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (n = 7, 19%), Pneumocystis jirovecii (n = 7, 19%), influenza A (n = 5, 14%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 5, 14%)-10% of cases had multi-pathogen involvement. Among the other 10 deaths associated with a nonpneumonia infectious process, 4 did not have an etiology assigned, the others were associated with miliary tuberculosis (2), cerebral thrombosis due to HIV (1), Enterobacteriaceae (1), rotavirus (1), and 1 case of respiratory infection with severe hypokalemia associated with RSV.

CONCLUSIONS

In spite of well-established vaccination programs in Kenya, some deaths were still vaccine preventable. Accelerated development of RSV monoclonal antibodies and vaccines, introduction of seasonal influenza vaccination, and maintenance or improved uptake of existing vaccines can contribute to further reductions in childhood mortality.

Piloting the Feasibility and Preliminary Impact of Adding Birth HIV Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing to the Early Infant Diagnosis Guidelines in Kenya

BACKGROUND

In Kenya, standard early infant diagnosis (EID) with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at 6-week postnatal achieves early treatment initiation (<12 weeks) in <20% of HIV+ infants. Kenya's new early infant diagnosis guidelines tentatively proposed adding PCR testing at birth, pending results from pilot studies.

METHODS

We piloted birth testing at 4 Kenyan hospitals between November 2017 and November 2018. Eligible HIV-exposed infants were offered both point-of-care and PCR HIV testing at birth (window 0 to <4 weeks) and 6 weeks (window 4-12 weeks). We report the: proportion of infants tested at birth, 6-week, and both birth and 6-week testing; median infant age at results; seropositivity and antiretroviral therapy initiation.

RESULTS

Final sample included 624 mother-infant pairs. Mean maternal age was 30.4 years, 73.2% enrolled during antenatal care and 89.9% had hospital deliveries. Among the 590 mother-infants pairs enrolled before 4 weeks postnatal, 452 (76.6%) completed birth testing before 4 weeks, with 360 (79.6%) testing within 2 weeks, and 178 (39.4%) before hospital discharge (0-2 days). Mothers were notified of birth PCR results at a median infant age of 5.4 weeks. Among all 624 enrolled infants, 575 (92.1%) were tested during the 6-week window; 417 (66.8%) received testing at both birth and 6-weeks; and 207 received incomplete testing (93.3% only 1 PCR and 6.7% no PCR). Four infants were diagnosed with HIV, and 3 infants were initiated on antiretroviral therapy early, before 12 weeks of age.

CONCLUSIONS

Uptake of PCR testing at birth was high and a majority of infants received repeat testing at 6 weeks of age.

Idiopathic Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: An East African Diagnostic Challenge

Retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) is a rare disease with variable etiology characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of tissue surrounding the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries. The majority of cases of RPF remain idiopathic and mostly reported in men. Glucocorticoids remain key in the treatment of RPF. Little has been reported on RPF in sub-Saharan Africa.

Vaginal Bacteria and Risk of Incident and Persistent Infection With High-Risk Subtypes of Human Papillomavirus: A Cohort Study Among Kenyan Women

BACKGROUND

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with an increased risk of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV), whereas Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiotas are associated with reduced burden of hrHPV. Few epidemiologic studies have prospectively investigated the relationships between vaginal bacteria and hrHPV, particularly among women from countries in Africa.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective cohort study nested within the Preventing Vaginal Infections trial to evaluate associations between vaginal bacteria and hrHPV incidence and persistence. Sexually active, HIV-seronegative women aged 18 to 45 years who had a vaginal infection at screening were eligible to enroll. Analyses were restricted to participants enrolled in Kenya and randomized to placebo. At enrollment and months 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, hrHPV testing, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (measuring taxon quantity per swab), and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of the vaginal microbiota were performed. Generalized estimating equations multinomial logistic regression models were fit to evaluate associations between vaginal bacteria and incident and persistent hrHPV.

RESULTS

Eighty-four participants were included in this analysis. Higher concentrations of Lactobacillus crispatus were inversely associated with persistent hrHPV detection. Specifically, 1 tertile higher L. crispatus concentration was associated with 50% reduced odds of persistent hrHPV detection (odds ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is consistent with reports that vaginal L. crispatus is associated with reduced susceptibility to hrHPV persistence. Evidence from in vitro studies provides insight into potential mechanisms by which L. crispatus may mediate hrHPV risk. Future studies should further explore in vivo mechanisms that may drive this relationship and opportunities for intervention.

Sharing COMFORT Communication Training With Healthcare Professionals in Nairobi, Kenya: A Pilot Webinar Series

BACKGROUND

Communication training for healthcare providers is evident in the context of the COVID-19 global pandemic, however training opportunities are not available in countries with limited resources.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate perceived comfort in communication about end-of-life and palliative care among healthcare providers in Nairobi, Kenya and to evaluate a pilot webinar-based communication training series.

METHODS

Through a partnership with a research hospital in Nairobi, healthcare providers engaged an online survey to assess perceived comfort in communication and prior educational training in communication. The COMFORT communication model was used to develop and pilot a webinar-based communication training series to meet training needs. Pre-post measures of comfort in communication and post-curriculum evaluation were used to evaluate the webinars.

RESULTS

Survey findings from 94 healthcare providers demonstrated that communication training is most needed when patient/family culture is different from provider. Physicians reported less comfort in communication than nurses and other professionals, especially in communication with family about spiritual or religious concerns. Nurses reported more overall training in palliative care communication topics than physicians and other disciplines. The 3-part webinar series increased communication comfort for physicians and nurses, was highly rated, and participants reported that they would recommend COMFORT webinar training to colleagues.

CONCLUSION

Webinar-based platforms for communication training show promise for meeting communication training needs of healthcare providers.

Qualitative Analysis of Community Support to Methadone Access in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Methadone, as part of Medically Assisted Therapy (MAT) for treatment of opioid dependence and supporting HIV prevention and treatment, has been recently introduced in Kenya. Few low income settings have implemented methadone, so there is little evidence to guide ongoing scale-up across the region. We specifically consider the role of community level access barriers and support.

OBJECTIVES

To inform ongoing MAT implementation we implemented a qualitative study to understand access barriers and enablers at a community level.

METHODS

We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with people who use drugs accessing MAT, supplemented by interviews with 2 stakeholders, linked to participant observation in a community drop in center within one urban area in Kenya. We used thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We developed five themes to express experiences of factors enabling and disabling MAT access and how community support can address these: 1) time, travel and economic hardship; 2) managing methadone and contingencies of life, 3) peer support among MAT clients as treatment ambassadors, 4) family relations, and 5)outreach project contributions. Crosscutting themes address managing socioeconomic constraints and gender inequities.

CONCLUSIONS

People who use drugs experience and manage socio-economic constraints and gender inequities in accessing MAT with the support of local communities. We discuss how these access barriers could be addressed through strengthening the participation of networks of people who use drugs in drug treatment and supporting community projects working with people who use drugs. We also explore potential for how socio-economic constraints could be managed within an integrated health and social care response.

ART Initiation for Infants Diagnosed With HIV Through Point of Care and Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction Testing in Kenya: A Case Series

We sought to understand the sequence of testing and treatment among nine infants offered both conventional and point-of-care testing and diagnosed as HIV-positive by 6 months of age in Kenya. One infant received per protocol testing and treatment. Patient-level (late presentation and disengagement), provider-level (reluctance and error/oversight) and system-level (stock outs, errors) challenges delayed diagnosis and treatment. Early point-of-care testing can streamline testing; however, challenges mitigate benefits.

Prevalence and correlates of dyslipidemia in HIV positive and negative adults in Western Kenya: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

There is increasing morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Dyslipidemia is a well-known CVD risk factor which has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and its treatment in high-income countries. Studies in SSA that have examined the relationship between HIV and dyslipidemia have reported mixed results. In this study, we sought to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia in HIV positive and negative adults (>=30 years old) and evaluate for association in Western Kenya with a higher prevalence expected among HIV positive individuals.HIV positive adults receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV negative individuals seeking HIV testing and counseling services were recruited into a cross-sectional study. Demographic and behavioral data and fasting blood samples were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Associations between baseline demographic and clinical variables and dyslipidemia were analyzed using logistic regression.A total of 598 participants, 300 HIV positive and 298 HIV negative adults were enrolled. Dyslipidemia data was available for 564 (94%) participants. In total, 267 (47%) had dyslipidemia. This was not significantly different between HIV positive and HIV negative individuals (46% vs 49%, P = .4). In a multivariate analysis including both HIV positive and negative individuals, adults 50 to 59 years of age had a 2-fold increased risk of dyslipidemia (Odds ratio [OR] 2.1, 95% confidence interval (1.2-3.5) when compared to 30 to 39-years-old participants. Abdominal obesity (OR 2.5), being overweight (OR 1.9), and low fruit and vegetable intake (OR 2.2) were significantly associated with dyslipidemia. Among HIV positive participants, time since HIV diagnosis, ART duration, use of (PI) protease inhibitor-based ART, viral load suppression, current cluster of differentiation (CD4) count and nadir CD4 did not have significant associations with dyslipidemia.The prevalence of dyslipidemia is high in Western Kenya, with nearly half of all participants with lipid abnormalities. Dyslipidemia was not significantly associated with HIV status, or with HIV-specific factors. Older age, being overweight, abdominal obesity, and low fruit and vegetable intake were associated with dyslipidemia and may be targets for public health interventions to lower the prevalence of dyslipidemia and CVD risk in sub-Saharan Africa.

Schistosoma mansoni Infection Is Associated With a Higher Probability of Tuberculosis Disease in HIV-Infected Adults in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Helminth infections can modulate immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, the effect of helminths, including Schistosoma mansoni (SM), on Mtb infection outcomes is less clear. Furthermore, HIV is a known risk factor for tuberculosis (TB) disease and has been implicated in SM pathogenesis. Therefore, it is important to evaluate whether HIV modifies the association between SM and Mtb infection.

SETTING

HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected adults were enrolled in Kisumu County, Kenya, between 2014 and 2017 and categorized into 3 groups based on Mtb infection status: Mtb-uninfected healthy controls, latent TB infection (LTBI), and active TB disease. Participants were subsequently evaluated for infection with SM.

METHODS

We used targeted minimum loss estimation and super learning to estimate a covariate-adjusted association between SM and Mtb infection outcomes, defined as the probability of being Mtb-uninfected healthy controls, LTBI, or TB. HIV status was evaluated as an effect modifier of this association.

RESULTS

SM was not associated with differences in baseline demographic or clinical features of participants in this study, nor with additional parasitic infections. Covariate-adjusted analyses indicated that infection with SM was associated with a 4% higher estimated proportion of active TB cases in HIV-uninfected individuals and a 14% higher estimated proportion of active TB cases in HIV-infected individuals. There were no differences in estimated proportions of LTBI cases.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide evidence that SM infection is associated with a higher probability of active TB disease, particularly in HIV-infected individuals.

The Relation of Age on HIV-Positive Women's Cluster of Differentiation 4, Antiretroviral Therapy, Papanicolaou Test, Human Papillomavirus test and Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid

Despite increased life expectancy, mortality rates among women infected with HIV are 3-15 times higher than those in the overall population, HIV-infected women are also excessively affected by HPV and have increased risks of HPV-associated developments. This study's objective is to examine the relation between the ART treatment, CD4 levels, Pap, HPV and VIA tests with p16 detection among HIV-infected women. The data used in this study was collected by survey questionnaire instruments in 2009 in Kenya. Descriptive and explanatory statistics using frequency and chi-square/fisher's exact tests were performed for analysis using SAS-software. The data was stratified by age groups (30-39, 40-49, and 50 years and older). 75.28% of single HIV-positive women between the ages 30-39 participated significantly in the study, with a p-value of <0.0001. 52.24% of HIV-positive women 30-39 years old were most likely to receive ART treatment for less than two years by a margin of 11.2% compared to those who received the treatment for more than two years and those who were off treatment by a margin of 2.24% (p-value of 0.03). The HIV-positive women 30-39 years old had lower CD4 counts of less than 350 cells/μl (44%) and higher CD4 counts of 500 cells/μl or higher (46.64%). 45.3% of the HIV-positive women 30-39 years old were more likely to have positive VIA tests with a p-value of 0.05. 65.87% of HIV-positive women 30-39 years old were most likely to have positive VIA tests with a p-value of <0.05. HIV-positive women 30-39 years old were most likely to have high-risk HPV compared to their older counterparts. This study shows that incorporating screening strategies (Pap tests, VIA tests and HPV genotyping) in conjunction with ART treatment were more effective in preventing cervical cancer in HIV-positive young women 30-39 years old.

Community-based HIV testing services in an urban setting in western Kenya: a programme implementation study

BACKGROUND

Some countries are struggling to reach the UNAIDS target of 90% of all individuals with HIV knowing their HIV status, especially among men and youth. To identify individuals who are unaware of their HIV-positive status and achieve testing saturation, we implemented a hybrid HIV testing approach in an urban informal settlement in western Kenya. In this study, we aimed to describe the uptake of HIV testing and linkage to care and treatment during this programme.

METHODS

The Community Health Initiative involved community mapping, household census, multidisease community health campaigns, and home-based tracking in the informal settlement of Obunga in Kisumu, Kenya. 52 multidisease community health campaigns were held throughout the programme coverage area, at which HIV testing by certified testing service counsellors was one of the health services available. Individuals aged 15 years or older who were not previously identified as HIV-positive, children younger than 15 years who reported being sexually active or for whom testing was requested by a parent or guardian, and individuals who tested HIV-negative within the past 3 months but who reported a recent risk were all eligible for testing. Health and counselling services were tailored for men and youth to encourage their participation. Individuals identified during the census who did not attend a community health campaign were tracked using global positioning system data and offered home-based HIV testing services. We calculated the previously unidentified fraction, defined as the number of individuals who were newly identified as HIV-positive as a proportion of all individuals previously identified and newly identified as HIV-positive.

FINDINGS

Between Jan 11 and Aug 29, 2018, the Community Health Initiative programme reached 23 584 individuals, of whom 11 526 (48·9%) were men and boys and 5635 (23·9%) were aged 15-24 years. Of 12 769 individuals who were eligible for HIV testing, 12 407 (97·2%) accepted testing, including 3917 (31·6%) first-time testers. 101 individuals were newly identified as HIV-positive out of 1248 total individuals who were HIV-positive, representing an 8·1% previously unidentified fraction. The previously unidentified fraction was highest among men (9·8%) and among people aged 15-24 years (15·3%).

INTERPRETATION

Community-based hybrid HIV testing was successfully implemented in an urban setting. Innovative approaches that make HIV testing more accessible and acceptable, particularly to men and young people, are crucial for achieving testing and treatment saturation. Focusing on identifying individuals who are unaware of their HIV-positive status in combination with monitoring the previously unidentified fraction has the potential to achieve the UNAIDS Fast Track commitment to end AIDS by 2030.

FUNDING

US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Camera settings and biome influence the accuracy of citizen science approaches to camera trap image classification

Scientists are increasingly using volunteer efforts of citizen scientists to classify images captured by motion-activated trail cameras. The rising popularity of citizen science reflects its potential to engage the public in conservation science and accelerate processing of the large volume of images generated by trail cameras. While image classification accuracy by citizen scientists can vary across species, the influence of other factors on accuracy is poorly understood. Inaccuracy diminishes the value of citizen science derived data and prompts the need for specific best-practice protocols to decrease error. We compare the accuracy between three programs that use crowdsourced citizen scientists to process images online: Snapshot Serengeti, Wildwatch Kenya, and AmazonCam Tambopata. We hypothesized that habitat type and camera settings would influence accuracy. To evaluate these factors, each photograph was circulated to multiple volunteers. All volunteer classifications were aggregated to a single best answer for each photograph using a plurality algorithm. Subsequently, a subset of these images underwent expert review and were compared to the citizen scientist results. Classification errors were categorized by the nature of the error (e.g., false species or false empty), and reason for the false classification (e.g., misidentification). Our results show that Snapshot Serengeti had the highest accuracy (97.9%), followed by AmazonCam Tambopata (93.5%), then Wildwatch Kenya (83.4%). Error type was influenced by habitat, with false empty images more prevalent in open-grassy habitat (27%) compared to woodlands (10%). For medium to large animal surveys across all habitat types, our results suggest that to significantly improve accuracy in crowdsourced projects, researchers should use a trail camera set up protocol with a burst of three consecutive photographs, a short field of view, and determine camera sensitivity settings based on in situ testing. Accuracy level comparisons such as this study can improve reliability of future citizen science projects, and subsequently encourage the increased use of such data.

A multiple baseline study of a brief alcohol reduction and family engagement intervention for fathers in Kenya

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a lay provider-delivered, brief intervention to reduce problem drinking and related family consequences among men in Kenya. The 5-session intervention combines behavioral activation (BA) and motivational interviewing (MI). It integrates family-related material explicitly and addresses central cultural factors through gender transformative strategies.

METHOD

A nonconcurrent multiple-baseline design was used. We initiated treatment with 9 men ages 30 to 48 who were fathers and screened positive for problem drinking; the median Alcohol Use Identification Test score was 17 (harmful range). Participants were randomized to staggered start dates. We measured the primary outcome of weekly alcohol consumption 4 weeks before treatment, during treatment, and 4 weeks posttreatment using the Timeline Followback measure. Secondary outcomes were assessed using a pre-post assessment (1-month) of men's depression symptoms, drinking- and family-related problem behavior, involvement with child, time with family, family functioning, relationship quality (child and partner), and harsh treatment of child and partner. Men, partners, and children (ages 8-17) reported on family outcomes.

RESULTS

Eight men completed treatment. Mixed-effects hurdle model analysis showed that alcohol use, both number of days drinking and amount consumed, significantly decreased during and after treatment. Odds of not drinking were 5.1 times higher posttreatment (95% CI [3.3, 7.9]). When men did drink posttreatment, they drank 50% less (95% CI [0.39, 0.65]). Wilcoxon signed-ranks test demonstrated pre-post improvements in depression symptoms and family related outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Results provide preliminary evidence that a BA-MI intervention developed for lay providers may reduce alcohol use and improve family outcomes among men in Kenya. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Metabolic syndrome and 10-year cardiovascular risk among HIV-positive and HIV-negative adults: A cross-sectional study

To determine the prevalence and correlates of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and compare 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Kenyan adults with and without HIV infection.We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults ≥30 years of age with and without HIV infection seeking care at Kisumu County Hospital. Participants completed a health questionnaire and vital signs, anthropomorphic measurements, and fasting blood were obtained. MetS was defined using 2009 Consensus Criteria and 10-year Atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk score was calculated. Chi-square, independent t tests, Wilcoxon ranksum test and multivariable logistic regression were used to determine differences and associations between HIV and MetS, CVD risk factors and ASCVD risk score.A total of 300 people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and 298 HIV-negative participants with median age 44 years enrolled, 50% of whom were female. The prevalence of MetS was 8.9% overall, but lower among PLWHIV than HIV-negative participants (6.3% vs 11.6%, respectively; P = .001). The most prevalent MetS components were elevated blood pressure, decreased high density lipoprotein, and abdominal obesity. Adjusting for covariates, PLWHIV were 66% less likely to have MetS compared to HIV-negative participants (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.34; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 0.18, 0.65; P = .005). Median ASCVD risk score was also lower among PLWHIV compared to HIV-negative participants (1.7% vs 3.0%, P = .002).MetS was more common among HIV-negative than HIV-positive adults, and HIV-negative adults were at greater risk for CVD compared to PLWHIV. These data support integration of routine CVD screening and management into health programs in resource-limited settings, regardless of HIV status.

Impact of Routine Point-of-Care Versus Laboratory Testing for Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV: Results From a Multicountry Stepped-Wedge Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Although the World Health Organization recommends HIV-exposed infants receive a 6-week diagnostic test, few receive results by 12 weeks. Point-of-care (POC) early infant diagnosis (EID) may improve timely diagnosis and treatment. This study assesses the impact of routine POC versus laboratory-based EID on return of results by 12 weeks of age.

METHODS

This was a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial in Kenya and Zimbabwe. In each country, 18 health facilities were randomly selected for inclusion and randomized to timing of POC implementation.

FINDINGS

Nine thousand five hundred thirty-nine infants received tests: 5115 laboratory-based and 4424 POC. In Kenya and Zimbabwe, respectively, caregivers were 1.29 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27 to 1.30, P < 0.001] and 4.56 times (95% CI: 4.50 to 4.60, P < 0.001) more likely to receive EID results by 12 weeks of age with POC versus laboratory-based EID. POC significantly reduced the time between sample collection and return of results to caregiver by an average of 23.03 days (95% CI: 4.85 to 21.21, P < 0.001) in Kenya and 62.37 days (95% CI: 58.94 to 65.80, P < 0.001) in Zimbabwe. For HIV-infected infants, POC significantly increased the percentage initiated on treatment, from 43.2% to 79.6% in Zimbabwe, and resulted in a nonsignificant increase in Kenya from 91.7% to 100%. The introduction of POC EID also significantly reduced the time to antiretroviral therapy initiation by an average of 17.01 days (95% CI: 9.38 to 24.64, P < 0.001) in Kenya and 56.00 days (95% CI: 25.13 to 153.76, P < 0.001) in Zimbabwe.

CONCLUSIONS

POC confers significant advantage on the proportion of caregivers receiving timely EID results, and improves time to results receipt and treatment initiation for infected infants. Where laboratory-based EID systems are unable to deliver results to caregivers rapidly, POC should be implemented as part of an integrated testing system.

Implementation of a Community-Based Hybrid HIV Testing Services Program as a Strategy to Saturate Testing Coverage in Western Kenya

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of HIV status is the entry point for linkage to prevention, care, and treatment, and the first step toward achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Most countries rely on proxies for estimating testing saturation, including periodic population-based sampling and yield (number positive among those tested). We conducted a community-based "Hybrid" HIV testing services (HTS) program to identify persons unaware of their HIV-positive status.

SETTING

Homa Bay County, Kenya; July-September, 2016.

METHODS

We conducted community mapping, household census, multi-disease community health campaigns (CHCs), and home-based tracking. HIV testing eligibility was based on 2015 national guidelines. The previously unidentified fraction (PUF) was defined as the proportion of newly identified persons living with HIV (PLWH) out of all previously identified and newly identified PLWH.

RESULTS

The Hybrid HTS program reached 28,885 persons in total: 25,340 residents and 3545 nonresidents. There were 19,288 persons reached through CHCs and tracking. Of 11,316 individuals eligible for HIV testing, 9463 (83%) accepted testing, including 1230 (13%) first-time testers. There were 115 newly identified PLWH of 1589 total HIV-positive persons, representing a 7.2% PUF. Of 93 newly identified PLWH at the CHCs, 68% initiated same-day antiretroviral therapy.

CONCLUSION

The Hybrid HTS program identified persons previously unaware of their HIV-positive status, thereby enabling linkage to care and same-day treatment and reducing onward transmission risk. An approach focused on identifying persons unaware of their HIV-positive status in combination with ascertaining the PUF has the potential to better target testing strategies to identify >90% of PLWH in a community.

Reaching 90-90-90 in rural communities in East Africa: lessons from the Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health Trial

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is an urgent need to understand new population-level approaches that achieve high levels of treatment and viral suppression for persons living with HIV.

RECENT FINDINGS

The SEARCH Universal test and treat (UTT) trial conducted in Kenya and Uganda aimed to reduce HIV incidence and improve community health. SEARCH offered HIV and multidisease testing at health fairs followed by home testing for nonparticipants in 32 communities, each with approximately 10 000 persons. In the 16 intervention communities, UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets were achieved within 3 years, reaching '92-95-90' and 79% population-level viral suppression. HIV incidence declined by 32% between year 1 and 3 of follow-up. Key principles of SEARCH's approach included community engagement, integration of HIV with multidisease services, rapid ART start upon HIV diagnosis, and patient-centered, streamlined care. SEARCH's community health approach also reduced HIV mortality, annual TB incidence, and uncontrolled hypertension compared with a country standard of care. Population-level viral suppression increased beyond the UNAIDS 73% target in women and men and reached levels well above recent country estimates across much of sub-Saharan Africa.

SUMMARY

SEARCH provides one example of how to rapidly surpass UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets while addressing community health on the path to HIV epidemic control.