scholarly journals Economic evaluation of a cluster randomized, non-inferiority trial of differentiated service delivery models of HIV treatment in Zimbabwe

Author(s):  
Mariet Benade ◽  
Brooke E Nichols ◽  
Geoffrey Fatti ◽  
Salome Kuchukhidze ◽  
Kudakwashe Takarinda ◽  
...  

Background: About 85% of Zimbabwe's >1.4 million people living with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Further expansion of its treatment program will require more efficient use of existing resources. Two promising strategies for reducing resource utilization per patient are multi-month medication dispensing and community-based service delivery. We evaluated the costs to providers and patients of community-based, multi-month ART delivery models in Zimbabwe. Methods:We used resource and outcome data from a cluster-randomized non-inferiority trial of three differentiated service delivery (DSD) models targeted to patients stable on ART: 3-month facility-based care (3MF), community ART refill groups (CAGs) with 3-month dispensing (3MC), and CAGs with 6-month dispensing (6MC). Using local unit costs, we estimated the annual cost in 2020 USD of providing HIV treatment per patient from the provider and patient perspectives. Results:In the trial, retention at 12 months was 93.0% in the 3MF, 94.8% in the 3MC, and 95.5% in the 6MC arms. The total average annual cost of HIV treatment per patient was $187 (standard deviation $39), $178 ($30), and $167 ($39) in each of the three arms, respectively. The annual cost/patient was dominated by ART medications (79% in 3MF, 87% in 3MC; 92% in 6MC), followed by facility visits (12%, 5%, 5%, respectively) and viral load (8%, 8%, 2%, respectively). When costs were stratified by district, DSD models cost slightly less, with 6MC the least expensive in all districts. Savings were driven by differences in the number of facility visits made/year, as expected, and low uptake of annual viral load tests in the 6-month arm. The total annual cost to patients to obtain HIV care was $10.03 ($2) in the 3MF arm, $5.12 ($0.41) in the 3MC arm, and $4.40 ($0.39) in the 6MF arm. Conclusions:For stable ART patients in Zimbabwe, 3- and 6-month community-based multi-month dispensing models cost less for both providers and patients than 3-month facility-based care and had non-inferior outcomes.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa Guthrie ◽  
Charlotte Muheki ◽  
Sydney Rosen ◽  
Shiba Kanoowe ◽  
Stephen Lagony ◽  
...  

Background: Like many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda has scaled up differentiated service delivery models (DSDMs) for HIV treatment, but little information is available about the relative costs of the models. We estimated the total annual cost per patient and total cost per patient virally suppressed in five DSDMs, including facility- and community-based models and the standard of care. Methods: We conducted a cost/outcome study from the perspective of the service provider, using retrospective patient record review of a cohort of patients over a two-year period, with bottom-up collection of patient resource utilization data, top-down collection of above-delivery level and delivery-level provider fixed operational costs, and local unit costs. We enrolled adults on ART (>18 years old) enrolled in 47 DSDMs located at facilities or community-based service points in four regions of Uganda with at least 24 months of follow-up data. DSDMs assessed included facility-based groups (FBG); fast-track drug refills (FDR); community client-led ART delivery (CCLAD); community drug distribution points (CDDP); and facility-based individual management (FBIM), which is the standard of care model for new, complex, and virally unsuppressed patients. Viral suppression was defined as <1000 copies/ml. Results: Retention in care was 98% for the sample as a whole [96-100%]. Over viral suppression was 91%, which varied from 86% among patients in FBIM (with the largest share of complex / virally unsuppressed patients) to 93% among CDDP patients. The mean cost to the provider (Ministry of Health or NGO implementers) was $152 per annum per patient treated, ranging from $141 for FBG to $166 for FDR. Differences among the costs of the models were largely due to ARV regimens and proportions of patients on second line regimens. Service delivery costs, excluding ARVs, other medicines and laboratory tests, were modest, ranging from $9.66-16.43 per patient. Conclusions: Differentiated ART service delivery in Uganda achieved excellent treatment outcomes at a cost similar to the standard of care (FBIM). While large budgetary savings might not be immediately realized, the reallocation of saved staff time could improve health system efficiency as facilities and patients gain more experience with DSD models.


Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Martin K. Msukwa ◽  
Munyaradzi P. Mapingure ◽  
Jennifer M. Zech ◽  
Tsitsi B. Masvawure ◽  
Joanne E. Mantell ◽  
...  

As Zimbabwe expands tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT) for people living with HIV (PLHIV), the Ministry of Health and Child Care is considering making TPT more accessible to PLHIV via less-intensive differentiated service delivery models such as Community ART Refill Groups (CARGs). We designed a study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating TPT into CARGs among key stakeholders, including CARG members, in Zimbabwe. We conducted 45 key informant interviews (KII) with policy makers, implementers, and CARG leaders; 16 focus group discussions (FGD) with 136 PLHIV in CARGs; and structured observations of 8 CARG meetings. KII and FGD were conducted in English and Shona. CARG observations were conducted using a structured checklist and time-motion data capture. Ninety six percent of participants supported TPT integration into CARGs and preferred multi-month TPT dispensing aligned with ART dispensing schedules. Participants noted that the existing CARG support systems could be used for TB symptom screening and TPT adherence monitoring/support. Other perceived advantages included convenience for PLHIV and decreased health facility provider workloads. Participants expressed concerns about possible medication stockouts and limited knowledge about TPT among CARG leaders but were confident that CARGs could effectively provide community-based TPT education, adherence monitoring/support, and TB symptom screening provided that CARG leaders received appropriate training and supervision. These results are consistent with findings from pilot projects in other African countries that are scaling up both differentiated service delivery for HIV and TPT and suggest that designing contextually appropriate approaches to integrating TPT into less-intensive HIV treatment models is an effective way to reach people who are established on ART but who may have missed out on access to TPT.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110503
Author(s):  
Ferdinand C. Mukumbang ◽  
Sibusiso Ndlovu ◽  
Brian van Wyk

Differentiated service delivery for HIV treatment seeks to enhance medication adherence while respecting the preferences of people living with HIV. Nevertheless, patients’ experiences of using these differentiated service delivery models or approaches have not been qualitatively compared. Underpinned by the tenets of descriptive phenomenology, we explored and compared the experiences of patients in three differentiated service delivery models using the National Health Services’ Patient Experience Framework. Data were collected from 68 purposively selected people living with HIV receiving care in facility adherence clubs, community adherence clubs, and quick pharmacy pick-up. Using the constant comparative thematic analysis approach, we compared themes identified across the different participant groups. Compared to facility adherence clubs and community adherence clubs, patients in the quick pharmacy pick-up model experienced less information sharing; communication and education; and emotional/psychological support. Patients’ positive experience with a differentiated service delivery model is based on how well the model fits into their HIV disease self-management goals.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-110
Author(s):  
A. T. Boyd ◽  
B. Moore ◽  
M. Shah ◽  
C. Tran ◽  
H. Kirking ◽  
...  

Global HIV program stakeholders, including the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), are undertaking efforts to ensure that eligible people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) receive a course of TB preventive treatment (TPT). In PEPFAR programming, this effort may require providing TPT not only to newly diagnosed PLHIV as part of HIV care initiation, but also to treatment-experienced PLHIV stable on ART who may not have been previously offered TPT. TPT scale-up is occurring at the same time as a trend to provide more person-centered HIV care through differentiated service delivery (DSD). In DSD, PLHIV stable on ART may receive less frequent clinical follow-up or receive care outside the traditional clinic-based model. The misalignment between traditional delivery of TPT and care delivery in innovative DSD may require adaptations to TPT delivery practices for PLHIV. Adaptations include components of planning and operationalization of TPT in DSD, such as determination of TPT eligibility and TPT initiation, and clinical management of PLHIV while on TPT. A key adaptation is alignment of timing and location for TPT and ART prescribing, monitoring, and dispensing. Conceptual examples of TPT delivery in DSD may help program managers operationalize TPT in HIV care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nnenna A Ajagu ◽  
Ogochukwu Offu ◽  
Sunday Nduka ◽  
Obinna Ikechukwu Ekwunife

Background: Although different antiretroviral (ARV) agents delivery models have been explored in Nigeria, yet only about 55% and 35% of affected adults and children respectively are currently on these agents. This, therefore, underscores the need for the identification of newer effective antiretroviral therapy delivery models and best strategies to increase access to ARV therapy in Nigeria. Method and Analysis: The study will be a cluster randomized controlled trial, which will be conducted in two HIV treatment centers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Participants will be randomized into intervention and control arm. Home delivery personnel will be trained to deliver the ARV drugs at 3months intervals to the homes of those in the intervention group while those in the control group (Facility-based services group) will receive ARVs at the HIV treatment hospital. The primary outcome for the trial will be the difference between groups in the proportion with HIV viral load suppression (≤20 copies/mL) by 12 months and then 24months. Secondary outcome include adherence to ARVs, the cost-effectiveness of home delivery service, and patient satisfaction. Ethics and dissemination: Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Health Research Ethics Committee (NAUTHHREC) approved this study (NAUTH/CS/66/VOL.13/VER III/23/2020/011) with a trial registration: Pan African Clinical Trials Registry, ID: PACTR202004535536808 on 8th April 2020. Study dissemination plans include holding advocacy meetings with stakeholders in HIV care, publishing study outcomes in an open-access peer-review journal, and presentation of the outcome at an international conference.


Author(s):  
Ferdinand C. Mukumbang

Background: Men demonstrate disproportionately poor uptake and engagement in HIV services with strong evidence linking men’s disinclination to engage in HIV services to their masculinity, necessitating adaptive programming to accommodate HIV-positive men. Differentiated service delivery models (DSDMs) – streamlined patient-centred antiretroviral treatment (ART) delivery services – have demonstrated the potential to improve men’s engagement in HIV services. However, it is unclear how and why these models contribute to men’s reframing of ART-friendly masculinities – a set of attributes, behaviours and roles associated with boys and men that favour the uptake and use of ART. We sought to unveil how and why DSDMs support the formation of ART-friendly masculinities to enhance men’s participation in HIV-related services. Methods: A theory-driven qualitative approach underpinned by critical realism was conducted with 30 adult men using 3 types of DSDMs: facility-based adherence clubs (FACs), community-based adherence clubs (CACs) and quick pharmacy pick-ups (QPUPs). Focus group discussions (FGDs) (6) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) (20) were used to elicit information from purposively selected participants based on their potential contribution to the theory development – theoretical sampling. Recordings were transcribed verbatim in isiXhosa, then translated to English and analysed thematically. Theoretical constructs (themes) related to programme context and generative mechanisms were distilled and linked by retroduction and abductive thinking to formulate explanatory theories. Results: Three bundles of mechanisms driving the adoption of ART-friendly masculinities by men using DSDMs were identified. (1) DSDMs instil a sense of cohesion (social support and feeling of connectedness), which enhances their reputational masculinity – having the know-how and being knowledgeable. (2) DSDMs provide a sense of assurance by providing reliable, convenient, stigma-free services, which makes men feel strong and resilient (respectability identity). (3) Through perceived usefulness, the extent to which an individual believes the model enhances their disease management, DSDMs enhance men’s ability to be economically productive and take care of their family (responsibility identity). Conclusion: DSDMs enhance the refashioning of ART-friendly versions of masculinity, thus improving men’s engagement in HIV services. Their effectiveness in refashioning men’s masculinities to ART friendly masculinities can be improved by ensuring conducive conditions for group interactions and including gender-transformative education to their existing modalities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke E Nichols ◽  
Refiloe Cele ◽  
Nkgomeleng Lekodeba ◽  
Betty Tukei ◽  
Nicoletta Ngorima‐Mabhena ◽  
...  

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