Comparison of Antiretroviral Therapies in Pregnant Women Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Hepatitis B Virus: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To describe the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) efficacy, HBeAg serologic changes, HBV perinatal transmission, and safety in pregnant women who are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HBV co-infection who were randomized to various antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens.

METHODS

The PROMISE (Promoting Maternal and Infant Survival Everywhere) trial was a multicenter randomized trial for ART-naive pregnant women with HIV infection. Women with HIV and HBV co-infection at 14 or more weeks of gestation were randomized to one of three ART arms: one without HBV treatment (group 1) and two HBV treatment arms with single (group 2) or dual anti-HBV activity (group 3). The primary HBV outcome was HBV viral load antepartum change from baseline (enrollment) to 8 weeks; safety assessments included alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level, and anemia (hemoglobin less than 10 g/dL). Primary comparison was for the HBV-active treatment arms. Pairwise comparisons applied t test and the Fisher exact tests.

RESULTS

Of 3,543 women, 3.9% were HBsAg-positive; 42 were randomized to group 1, 48 to group 2, and 48 to group 3. Median gestational age at enrollment was 27 weeks. Among HBV-viremic women, mean antepartum HBV viral load change at week 8 was -0.26 log 10 international units/mL in group 1, -1.86 in group 2, and -1.89 in group 3. In those who were HBeAg-positive, HBeAg loss occurred in 44.4% at delivery. Two perinatal HBV transmissions occurred in group 2. During the antepartum period, one woman (2.4%) in group 1 had grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations, two women (4.2%) in group 2, and three women (6.3%) in group 3.

CONCLUSION

Over a short period of time, HBV DNA suppression was not different with one or two HBV-active agents. HbeAg loss occurred in a substantial proportion of participants. Perinatal transmission of HBV infection was low. Hepatitis B virus-active ART was well-tolerated in pregnancy, with few grade 3 or 4 ALT or AST elevations.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01061151.

2079. Comparison of Recency Assays to Estimate HIV Incidence in the SIENA (eStimating hIv incidEnce amoNg Agyw) Study in Uganda

Background

HIV-1 recent infection testing algorithms (RITAs) use recency assays to estimate population level HIV incidence rates (IRs), and are currently being employed in PrEP trials to estimate background HIV incidence rates (bHIV-IR). The SIENA study was conducted to determine the HIV incidence rate among young women in and around central and mid-western Uganda, and to assess the suitability of different recency assay platforms for use in determining bHIV-IR in future PrEP trials.

Methods

Diagnosis of HIV was confirmed by positive results on both the Alere Determine HIV-1/2 and Oraquick HIV-1/2 rapid tests. Positive samples were analyzed for recent infection using the Sedia HIV-1 Limiting Antigen Avidity Enzyme ImmunoAssay (LAg-EIA; Sedia Biosciences, Beaverton, OR) and the Sedia Asante HIV-1 Rapid Recency Assay (Asante; Sedia Biosciences). The Asante assay was performed by electronic reader (Asante-Reader) or visual read (Asante-Visual). VL was determined by COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 Test (LabCorp, Indianapolis, IN). HIV incidence was calculated based on previously determined MDRI and FRRs that were specific for the study population.

Results

Of 743 women screened, 191 were diagnosed with HIV, of whom 44 (23%) had a viral load of < 75 copies/mL. The 3 recency assays identified between 43 and 57 samples as recent and between 35 and 37 samples when the VL cutoff of < 75 copies/mL was used (Table). When no VL cutoff was used the calculated bHIV-IR was 17.9/100 person-years (PY) for the LAg-EIA, 12.8/100PY for the Asante-Reader and 20.3/100PY for the Asante-Visual. Using the VL cutoff, the calculated bHIV-IR was 11.4/100 PY with the LAg-EIA assay and 10.9/100 PY with the Asante-Reader. No MDRI or FRR for the Asante-Visual with a VL cutoff was available for calculation of the Asante-Visual HIV incidence.

Conclusion

When the RITA included a VL cutoff of 75 cp/mL, the LAg-EIA and Asante assays classified the number of recent and long-term infections similarly, resulting in comparable bHIV-IR results. Overall, these analyses support the use of these recency assays in the RITA to estimate the bHIV-IR in future PrEP trials. Our results demonstrate extremely high prevalence and incidence of HIV in young women in central and mid-western Uganda, highlighting the need for expanded HIV prevention options in these areas.

Disclosures

Stephanie Cox, BS, Gilead Sciences: Paid employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds Shelley N. Facente, PhD, MPH, CDC-funded TRACE program: Grant/Research Support|Gilead Sciences: Advisor/Consultant|Sedia Biosciences Corporation: Grant/Research Support Eduard Grebe, PhD, CDC-funded TRACE program: Grant/Research Support|Gilead Sciences: Advisor/Consultant|Sedia Biosciences Corp: Grant/Research Support Ramin Ebrahimi, MS, Gilead Sciences: Paid employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds Christoph C. Carter, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences: Employee|Gilead Sciences: Employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds Christian Callebaut, PhD, Gilead Sciences: Paid employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds Jared Baeten, MD, PhD, Gilead Sciences: Employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds Moupali Das, MD, Gilead Sciences: Employee|Gilead Sciences: Employee|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds|Gilead Sciences: Stocks/Bonds.

Community Health Workers Improve HIV Disclosure Among HIV-Affected Sexual Partners in Rural Uganda: A Quasi-Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the efficacy of a community health worker (CHW)-led intervention in supporting disclosure among adults living with HIV in heterosexual relationships.

METHODS

We conducted a quasi-experimental study with 2 arms allocated by geographically determined clusters and adjusted for between-group differences among adults living with HIV in the greater Luwero region of Uganda who had never disclosed their status to their current primary sexual partners. Clusters were allocated to either a CHW-led intervention or a control arm. In both arms, participants were consecutively recruited. As opposed to receiving routine care for the control arm, participants in the intervention arm received additional CHW disclosure support. The overall follow-up was 6 months, and the primary outcome was disclosure to the sexual partner. Data were analyzed using a clustered modified Poisson regression model with robust standard errors to determine independent factors associated with disclosure.

RESULTS

Of the 245 participants who enrolled, 230 (93.9%) completed the study, and 112 (48.7%) of those were in the intervention arm. The median age was 30 (interquartile range=25-37) years, the majority were women (76.5%), and most (80%) did not know their partners' HIV status at study entry. At the end of follow-up, the overall disclosure prevalence was 74.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]=68.2, 79.9) and participants in the intervention arm were 51% more likely to disclose compared to those in the control (adjusted relative ratio [aRR]=1.51; 95% CI=1.28, 1.77). Men were 24% (aRR=1.24; 95% CI=1.07, 1.44) more likely to disclose compared to women, and membership in an HIV/AIDS association increased disclosure by 18% (aRR=1.18; 95% CI=1.01, 1.39).

CONCLUSION

CHW support improved disclosure among adults living with HIV in heterosexual relationships when compared to routine care. Therefore, CHW-led mechanisms may be utilized in increasing disclosure among adults living with HIV in heterosexual relationships in rural settings.

Brief Report: Impact of Antiretroviral Regimen on Pregnancy and Infant Outcomes in Women With HIV/ HBV Coinfection

BACKGROUND

There are limited data on the impact of antenatal antiretroviral regimens (ARV) on pregnancy and infant outcomes in HIV/HBV coinfection. We compared outcomes among 3 antenatal antiretroviral regimens for pregnant women with HIV/HBV.

METHODS

The PROMISE study enrolled ARV-naive pregnant women with HIV. Women with HBV were randomized to (no anti-HBV)-zidovudine (ZDV) + intrapartum nevirapine and 1 week of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine (TDF-FTC); (3TC)-3TC + ZDV + LPV/r; or (FTC-TDF)-FTC + TDF + LPV/r. Pairwise group comparisons were performed with Fisher exact, t , or log rank tests. Adverse pregnancy outcome (APO) was a composite of low birth weight, preterm delivery, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or congenital anomaly.

RESULTS

Of 138 women with HIV/HBV, 42, 48, and 48 were analyzed in the no anti-HBV, 3TC, and FTC-TDF arms. Median age was 27 years. APOs trended lower in the no anti-HBV (26%) vs 3TC (38%), and FTC-TDF arms (35%), P ≥ 0.25). More infant deaths occurred among the FTC-TDF [6 (13%)] vs no anti-HBV [2 (5%)] and 3TC [3 (7%)] arms. There were no differences in time-to-death, HIV-free survival, birth or one-year WHO Z-score length-for-age, and head circumference. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was associated with an increased risk of APO, 48% vs 27% (odds ratio 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 6.67, post hoc ).

CONCLUSION

With HBV/HIV coinfection, the risk of an APO was increased with maternal ARV compared with ZDV alone, although the differences were not statistically significant. Maternal HBeAg was associated with a significantly increased risk of APO. Infant mortality was highest with FTC + TDF + LPV/r. Early assessment of HBeAg could assist in identifying high-risk pregnancies for close monitoring.

Factors associated with willingness to use oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in a fisher-folk community in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in key populations at elevated risk for exposure to HIV. If used effectively, PrEP can reduce annual HIV incidence to below 0.05%. However, PrEP is not acceptable among all communities that might benefit from it. There is, therefore, a need to understand perceptions of PrEP and factors associated with willingness to use PrEP among key populations at risk of HIV, such as members of communities with exceptionally high HIV prevalence.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the perceptions and factors associated with willingness to use oral PrEP among members of fishing communities in Uganda, a key population at risk of HIV.

METHODS

We conducted an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study at Ggaba fishing community from February to June 2019. Survey data were collected from a systematic random sample of 283 community members in which PrEP had not been rolled out yet by the time of we conducted the study. We carried out bivariate tests of association of willingness to use PrEP with demographic characteristics, HIV risk perception, HIV testing history. We estimated prevalence ratios for willingness to use PrEP. We used backward elimination to build a multivariable modified Poisson regression model to describe factors associated with willingness to use PrEP. We purposively selected 16 participants for focus group discussions to contextualize survey findings, analysing data inductively and identifying emergent themes related to perceptions of PrEP.

KEY RESULTS

We enrolled 283 participants with a mean age of 31 ± 8 years. Most (80.9%) were male. The majority of participants had tested for HIV in their lifetime, but 64% had not tested in the past 6 months. Self-reported HIV prevalence was 6.4%. Most (80.6, 95%CI 75.5-85.0) were willing in principle to use PrEP. Willingness to use PrEP was associated with perceiving oneself to be at high risk of HIV (aPR 1.99, 95%CI 1.31-3.02, P = 0.001), having tested for HIV in the past 6-months (aPR 1.13, 95%CI 1.03-1.24, P = 0.007), and completion of tertiary education (aPR 1.97, 95%CI 1.39-2.81, P < 0.001). In focus group discussions, participants described pill burden, side-effects and drug safety as potential barriers to PrEP use.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Oral PrEP was widely acceptable among members of fishing communities in peri-urban Kampala. Programs for scaling-up PrEP for fisherfolk should merge HIV testing services with sensitization about PrEP and also increase means of awareness of PrEP as an HIV preventive strategy .

Impact and experience of participant engagement activities in supporting dapivirine ring use among participants enrolled in the phase III MTN-020/ASPIRE study

BACKGROUND

Low adherence to investigational products can negatively impact study outcomes, limiting the ability to demonstrate efficacy. To continue advancing potential new HIV prevention technologies, efforts are needed to improve adherence among study participants. In MTN-020/ASPIRE, a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the dapivirine vaginal ring carried out across 15 sites in sub-Saharan Africa, a multifaceted approach to adherence support was implemented, including a strong focus on participant engagement activities (PEAs). In this manuscript, we describe PEAs and participant attendance, and analyze the potential impact of PEAs on ring use.

METHODS

All sites implemented PEAs and submitted activity and attendance reports to the study management team throughout the study. Participant demographics were collected via case report forms. Residual dapivirine remaining in the last ring returned by each participant was used to estimate drug released from the ring, which was then adjusted for time participants had the ring to calculate probable use categorized into three levels (low/intermittent/high). Product use was connected to PEA attendance using participant identification numbers. We used multivariate Poisson regression with robust standard errors to explore differences in ring use between PEA attendance groups and reviewed qualitative reports for illustrative quotes highlighting participant experiences with PEAs.

RESULTS

2312 of 2629 study participants attended at least one of 389 PEAs conducted across sites. Participant country and partner knowledge of study participation were most strongly associated with PEA attendance (p < 0.005) with age, education, and income status also associated with event attendance (p < 0.05). When controlling for these variables, participants who attended at least one event were more likely to return a last ring showing at least some use (RR = 1.40) than those who never attended an event. There was a stronger correlation between a last returned ring showing use and participant attendance at multiple events (RR = 1.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis supports the growing body of work illustrating the importance of meaningfully engaging research participants to achieve study success and aligns with other analyses of adherence support efforts during ASPIRE. While causation between PEA attendance and product use cannot be established, residual drug levels in returned rings strongly correlated with participant attendance at PEAs, and the benefits of incorporating PEAs should be considered when designing future studies of investigational products.

Correlates of Adherence to the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV-1 Prevention

Understanding characteristics associated with adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) methods for HIV-1 prevention may assist with optimizing implementation efforts. The dapivirine vaginal ring is a novel topical PrEP delivery method. Using data from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III trial of the dapivirine vaginal ring conducted in four African countries, generalized estimating equation models were used to evaluate correlates of ring adherence. Two levels of quarterly dapivirine blood plasma, and dapivirine released from returned rings defined measures of adherence for recent and cumulative use, respectively. Time on study, calendar time, primary partner knowledge that the participant was taking part in the study, and use of long-acting contraceptive methods were associated with ring adherence whereas younger age, ring worries, condom use, episodes of menstrual bleeding and vaginal washing were associated with non-adherence. These findings may be useful for recruitment into future clinical studies and dapivirine ring implementation efforts.

Predictors of failure on second-line antiretroviral therapy with protease inhibitor mutations in Uganda

Introduction

Failure on second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) with protease inhibitor (PI) mutations (VF-M) is on the rise. However, there is a paucity of information on the factors associated with this observation in low-income countries. Knowledge of underlying factors is critical if we are to minimize the number of PLHIV switched to costly third-line ART. Our study investigated the factors associated with VF-M.

Methods

We conducted a matched case–control analysis of patients' records kept at the Joint Clinical Research Center, starting from January 2008 to May 2018. We matched records of patients who failed the second-line ART with major PI mutations (cases) with records of patients who were virologically suppressed (controls) by a ratio of 1:3. Data analysis was conducted using STATA Version 14. Categorical variables were compared with the outcomes

failure on second-line ART with PI mutations using the Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests where appropriate. Conditional logistic regression for paired data was used to assess the association between the outcome and exposure variables, employing the backward model building procedure.

Results

Of the 340 reviewed patients' records, 53% were women, and 6.2% had previous tuberculosis treatment. Males (aOR = 2.58, [CI 1.42–4.69]), and patients concurrently on tuberculosis treatment while on second-line ART (aOR = 5.65, [CI 1.76–18.09]) had higher odds of VF-M. ART initiation between 2001 and 2015 had lower odds of VF-M relative to initiation before the year 2001.

Conclusion

Males and patients concomitantly on tuberculosis treatment while on second-line ART are at a higher risk of VF-M. HIV/AIDS response programs should give special attention to this group of people if we are to minimize the need for expensive third-line ART. We recommend more extensive, explorative studies to ascertain underlying factors.

Impact of Male Partner Involvement on Women's Adherence to the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring During a Phase III HIV Prevention Trial

Although vaginal microbicides for HIV prevention are designed to be female-initiated, male partner influence has been identified as one of the most significant factors impacting women's willingness and ability to use them. As a result, research teams have sought to increase male partner involvement by encouraging disclosure of product use to male partners, promoting male partner engagement in the study through attendance at the study clinic, and helping women to garner male partner support for product use. This paper aims to assess the impact of these three elements of male partner involvement on women's adherence to the dapivirine vaginal ring during MTN-020/ASPIRE, a phase III randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 2629 women in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. During the study, 64-80% of participants reported disclosure of ring use at each quarterly visit, and 13% reported that their partners had attended the study clinic at some point during the study. At study exit, 66% reported that their partner was supportive, 18% unsupportive, and 17% were unsure. After adjusting for age, site and time in study, women were more likely to have low ring adherence if they had an unsupportive male partner (aRR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03-1.62). Neither disclosure nor clinic attendance directly predicted ring adherence, but disclosure increased the probability of having a supportive partner (aRRR 24.17, 95% CI 16.38-35.66) or an unsupportive partner (aRRR 4.10, 95% CI 2.70-6.24), relative to an unknown level of partner support. Women were also more likely to have a supportive partner if their partner had attended the clinic (aRRR 3.77, 95% CI 1.36-10.42). This study suggests that although the vaginal ring is relatively discreet, lack of support from male partners remains a relevant barrier to use. Though both disclosure and clinic attendance may increase partner support, disclosure may also increase partner opposition. Interventions to reduce male partner opposition are needed to maximize the potential impact of the ring and other PrEP products for HIV prevention.

Use of the dapivirine vaginal ring and effect on cervical cytology abnormalities

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine if the dapivirine vaginal ring and the ring device alone (flexible silicone matrix polymer) was associated with the development of cervical cytology abnormalities.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis comparing cervical cytology results between two randomized controlled microbicide trials (MTN-020/ASPIRE and MTN-003/VOICE).

METHODS

Data from ASPIRE, a phase III, placebo-controlled trial of the dapivirine vaginal ring, were used in this analysis. Cervical cytology smears were evaluated at baseline and at the final visit with product use. We compared cytology results between women randomized to dapivirine versus placebo vaginal ring. We further assessed for the effect of the vaginal ring device on cervical cytology by comparing results with data from the oral placebo arm of VOICE, a prior HIV-1 prevention trial conducted in a similar population.

RESULTS

Cervical cytology results for 2394 women from ASPIRE (1197 per study arm) were used in this analysis; median time between baseline and final visit with product use was 22.1 months. Cytology smear findings were comparable between dapivirine and placebo vaginal ring arms: at final visit, normal: 90.6 versus 91.5%, ASC-US//LSIL: 7.8 versus 7.4%, ASC-H/HSIL/AGC/AGC-favor neoplastic: 1.7 versus 1.1%, P = 0.44. Cytology data from VOICE had findings (normal: 87.8%, ASC-US/LSIL: 9.8%, ASC-H/HSIL/AGC/AGC-favor neoplastic: 2.4%) comparable with that of both dapivirine (P = 0.93) and placebo vaginal ring arms (P = 0.24).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that neither use of the dapivirine vaginal ring nor the vaginal ring device alone, over a period of 2 years, is associated with development of cervical cytology abnormalities that could lead to precancerous or cancerous lesions.

Perceived risk versus objectively measured risk of HIV acquisition: a cross-sectional study among HIV-negative individuals in Serodiscordant partnerships with clients attending an Urban Clinic in Uganda

Background

Acceptability of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) could be hampered by low self-perceived risk for HIV acquisition. Moreover, discordance between risk perception and actual risk of HIV acquisition is likely to occur. We assessed congruence between the level of self- perceived and that of objectively scored risk of HIV acquisition among HIV-negative individuals in discordant relationships.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study among a representative sample of HIV-negative adult males and females whose partners were receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least 3 months from the Infectious Diseases Institute Clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Perceived risk was measured based on self-report using a numerical rating scale whereas objective risk was measured using a validated risk score tool. Congruence between perceived risk and objectively scored risk was evaluated using descriptive statistics and validity measures. Incongruence between the two phenomena was further evaluated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

Results

HIV-negative partners evaluated in this study were mostly male (64%) with a median age of 41 years (IQR 35 to 50). Majority (76.3%) of the partners perceived themselves as low risk for HIV acquisition. Similarly, most (93.8%) were objectively scored as low risk. However, nearly three quarters (72.7%) of partners who were objectively scored as high risk perceived themselves as being at low risk and all were men. The sensitivity and specificity of perceived risk for detecting the objectively measured risk was 27.3 and 76.5% respectively; area under ROC curve = 0.52; 95%CI (0.38, 0.66). The proportion of participants at high risk of HIV acquisition who perceived their risk as low was greater among those whose partners had detectable viral load compared to participants whose partners had undetectable viral load (PR = 0.51; 95%CI 0.29 to 0.90).

Conclusion

Incongruence between perceived and objectively measured risk of HIV acquisition does occur especially among individuals whose partners had a detectable viral load. PrEP counselling for serodiscordant couples should focus on explaining the consequence of detectable viral load in the HIV-positive partner on HIV transmission risk.

"The number of clients is increasing but the supplies are reducing": provider strategies for responding to chronic antiretroviral (ARV) medicines stock-outs in resource-limited settings: a qualitative study from Uganda

Background

Despite the increasing frequency of ARV medicines stock-outs in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is little research inquiring into the mitigation strategies devised by frontline health facilities. Many previous studies have focused on ‘upstream’ or national-level drivers of ARVs stock-outs with less empirical attention devoted ‘down-stream’ or at the facility-level. The objective of this study was to examine the strategies devised by health facilities in Uganda to respond to the chronic stock-outs of ARVs.

Methods

This was a qualitative research design nested within a larger mixed-methods study. We purposively selected 16 health facilities from across Uganda (to achieve diversity with regard to; level of care (primary/ tertiary), setting (rural/urban) and geographic sub-region (northern/ central/western). We conducted 76 Semi-structured interviews with ART clinic managers, clinicians and pharmacists in the selected health facilities supplemented by on-site observations and documentary reviews. Data were analyzed by coding and thematic analyses.

Results

Participants reported that facility-level contributors to stock-outs include untimely orders of drugs from suppliers and inaccurate quantification of ARV medicine needs due to a paucity of ART program data. Internal stock management solutions for mitigating stock-outs which emerged include the substitution of ARV medicines which were out of stock, overstocking selected medicines and the use of recently expired drugs. The external solutions for mitigating stock-outs which were identified include ‘borrowing’ of ARVs from peer-providers, re-distributing stock across regions and upward referrals of patients. Systemic drivers of stock-outs were identified. These include the supply of drugs with a short shelf life, oversupply and undersupply of ARV medicines and migration pressures on the available ARVs stock at case-study facilities.

Conclusion

Health facilities devised internal stock management strategies and relied on peer-provider networks for ARV medicines during stock-out events. Our study underscores the importance of devising interventions aimed at improving Uganda’s medicines supply chain systems in the quest to reduce the frequency of ARV medicines stock-outs at the front-line level of service delivery. Further research is recommended on the effect of substituting ARV medicines on patient outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4137-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Preventive Misconception and Risk Behaviors in a Multinational HIV Prevention Trial

BACKGROUND

Some HIV prevention research participants may hold a "preventive misconception" (PM), an overestimate of the probability or level of personal protection afforded by trial participation. However, these reports typically rely upon small, retrospective qualitative assessments that did not use a standardized approach.

METHODS

We administered a measure of PM called PREMIS, during Microbicide Trials Network 020-A Study to Prevent Infection with a Ring for Extended Use, a large, multicenter, placebo-controlled, phase III trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a dapivirine vaginal ring among women at risk for HIV infection in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The maximum follow-up period was 2.6 years.

RESULTS

One thousand two hundred sixty-one respondents completed PREMIS at their month 3 visit (M3); 2085 at their month 12 visit (M12); and 1010 at both visits. Most participants expressed high expectations of personal benefit (EPB) and that at least one of the rings used in the trial would reduce the risk of getting HIV (expectation of maximum aggregate benefit or EMAB). There was a moderate positive correlation between EPB and EMAB at M3 (r = .43, 95% CI: .37, .47) and M12 (r = .44, 95% CI: .40, .48). However, there was variability among sites in the strength of the relationship. There was no relationship between either expectation variable and condom use, adherence, or HIV infection.

CONCLUSIONS

A majority of trial participants expressed some belief that their risk of HIV infection would be reduced by using a vaginal ring, which may signal PM. However, such beliefs were not associated with adherence, condom use, or subsequent HIV infection, and there was variability across sites. Further work is needed to understand these findings.

Acquisition of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Women Using a Variety of Contraceptive Options: A prospective Study among High-risk African Women

INTRODUCTION

In many African settings, women concurrently face substantial risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Few studies have evaluated STI risk among users of hormonal implants and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) although these long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are being promoted widely because of their benefits. Within a prospective study of women at risk for HIV-1, we compared the risk of acquisition of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis among women using different contraceptive methods.

METHODS

MTN-020/ASPIRE was a randomized trial of the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention among 2629 women aged 18 to 45 years from Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, of whom 2264 used copper IUDs or progestin-based injectables or implants during follow-up. Screening for the above STIs occurred semi-annually.

RESULTS

Over 3440 person-years of follow-up, 408 cases of C. trachomatis (incidence 11.86/100 person-years), 196 of N. gonorrhoeae (5.70/100 person-years) and 213 cases of T. vaginalis (6.19/100 person-years) were detected. C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae incidence were not significantly different across contraceptive methods. T. vaginalis incidence was significantly higher for copper IUD users compared to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), implant and norethisterone enanthate users.

CONCLUSION

Among African women at high HIV-1 risk, STIs were common. Risk of cervical infections did not differ across contraceptive methods. Significantly higher rates of T. vaginalis were observed among progestin-based methods compared to copper IUD users. Overall, these findings call for more intensive routine screening for STIs, and they support current World Health Organization guidance that women should have a wide range of contraceptive options.

Vaginal Ring Use in a Phase 3 Microbicide Trial: A Comparison of Objective Measures and Self-reports of Non-adherence in ASPIRE

This analysis compares self-reports of product use with objective measures of non-adherence-quarterly plasma dapivirine levels and monthly residual dapivirine (DPV) levels in used rings-in MTN-020/ASPIRE, a phase 3 trial of a monthly DPV vaginal ring among women aged 18-45 years in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. For participants on active product (N = 1211) we assessed self-reported monthly non-adherence, as measured by (1) whether the ring was ever out, and out for ≥ 12 h in the previous month and, (2) by a self-rating scale assessing ability to keep the vaginal ring inserted, and compared the self-reports to two biomarkers of non-use separately and as a composite measure. For this analysis, a plasma DPV value ≤ 95 pg/ml and residual ring ≥ 23.5 mg were used to classify non-adherence (i.e. the ring never being in the vagina the previous month). Compared to self-reports, non-adherence was found to be substantially higher for the composite measure as well as its two components, an indication that ring removal was likely underreported in the trial. The discrepancy between the self-report measure of ring outage and the composite indicator was greater for those aged 18-21 than for those older, evidence that younger women are more likely to underreport non-adherence. Despite underreporting of non-adherence, self-reports of the ring never being out were significant in predicting the composite objective measure. Furthermore, the association between the self-rating scale and the objective measure was in the expected direction and significant, although 11% of those 18-21 and 7% of those 22+ who rated their ability to keep the ring inserted as good, very good or excellent in the 4 weeks prior to exit were considered non-adherent according to the objective measure. This analysis indicates that while self-reports are significantly associated with objective measures of adherence in the ASPIRE trial, they were inflated-more so by those younger-and therefore may have limited utility identifying those who have challenges using products as directed. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01617096.

Use of a Vaginal Ring Containing Dapivirine for HIV-1 Prevention in Women

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral medications that are used as prophylaxis can prevent acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. However, in clinical trials among African women, the incidence of HIV-1 infection was not reduced, probably because of low adherence. Longer-acting methods of drug delivery, such as vaginal rings, may simplify use of antiretroviral medications and provide HIV-1 protection.

METHODS

We conducted a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a monthly vaginal ring containing dapivirine, a non-nucleoside HIV-1 reverse-transcriptase inhibitor, involving women between the ages of 18 and 45 years in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.

RESULTS

Among the 2629 women who were enrolled, 168 HIV-1 infections occurred: 71 in the dapivirine group and 97 in the placebo group (incidence, 3.3 and 4.5 per 100 person-years, respectively). The incidence of HIV-1 infection in the dapivirine group was lower by 27% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1 to 46; P=0.046) than that in the placebo group. In an analysis that excluded data from two sites that had reduced rates of retention and adherence, the incidence of HIV-1 infection in the dapivirine group was lower by 37% (95% CI, 12 to 56; P=0.007) than that in the placebo group. In a post hoc analysis, higher rates of HIV-1 protection were observed among women over the age of 21 years (56%; 95% CI, 31 to 71; P<0.001) but not among those 21 years of age or younger (-27%; 95% CI, -133 to 31; P=0.45), a difference that was correlated with reduced adherence. The rates of adverse medical events and antiretroviral resistance among women who acquired HIV-1 infection were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

A monthly vaginal ring containing dapivirine reduced the risk of HIV-1 infection among African women, with increased efficacy in subgroups with evidence of increased adherence. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01617096 .).

Characteristics of Women Enrolled into a Randomized Clinical Trial of Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV-1 Prevention

Introduction

Women in sub-Saharan Africa are a priority population for evaluation of new biomedical HIV-1 prevention strategies. Antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis is a promising prevention approach; however, clinical trials among young women using daily or coitally-dependent products have found low adherence. Antiretroviral-containing vaginal microbicide rings, which release medication over a month or longer, may reduce these adherence challenges.

Methods

ASPIRE (A Study to Prevent Infection with a Ring for Extended Use) is a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial testing the safety and effectiveness of a vaginal ring containing the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor dapivirine for prevention of HIV-1 infection. We describe the baseline characteristics of African women enrolled in the ASPIRE trial.

Results

Between August 2012 and June 2014, 5516 women were screened and 2629 HIV-1 seronegative women between 18–45 years of age were enrolled from 15 research sites in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. The median age was 26 years (IQR 22–31) and the majority (59%) were unmarried. Nearly 100% of participants reported having a primary sex partner in the prior three months but 43% did not know the HIV-1 status of their primary partner; 17% reported additional concurrent partners. Nearly two-thirds (64%) reported having disclosed to primary partners about planned vaginal ring use in the trial. Sexually transmitted infections were prevalent: 12% had Chlamydia trachomatis, 7% Trichomonas vaginalis, 4% Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and 1% syphilis.

Conclusions

African HIV-1 seronegative women at risk of HIV -1 infection were successfully enrolled into a phase III trial of dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV-1 prevention.