Determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Abstract Background There is substantial variation in the reported treatment outcomes for adult tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Data on survival and neurological disability by continent and HIV serostatus are scarce. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to characterize treatment outcomes for adult TBM. Following a systematic literature search (MEDLINE and EMBASE), studies underwent duplicate screening by independent reviewers in two stages to assess eligibility for inclusion. Two independent reviewers extracted data from included studies. We employed a random effects model for all meta-analyses. We evaluated heterogeneity by the I2 statistic. Results We assessed 2,197 records for eligibility; 39 primary research articles met our inclusion criteria reporting on treatment outcomes for 5,752 adults with TBM. The commonest reported outcome measure was six-month mortality. Pooled six-month mortality was 24% and showed significant heterogeneity (I2 >95%; p<0·01). Mortality ranged from 2% to 67% in Asian studies and from 23% to 80% in sub-Saharan African studies. Mortality was significantly worse in HIV-positive adults at 57% (95%CI; 48-67%), compared with 16% (95%CI; 10-24%) in HIV-negative adults (p<0·01). Physical disability was reported in 32% (95%CI; 22-43%) of adult TBM survivors. There was considerable heterogeneity between studies in all meta-analyses with I2 statistics consistently >50%. Conclusions Mortality in adult TBM is high and varies considerably by continent and HIV-status. The highest mortality is amongst HIV-positive adults in sub-Saharan Africa. Standardized reporting of treatment outcomes will be essential to improve future data quality and increase potential for data sharing, meta-analyses, and facilitating multi-center tuberculosis research to improve outcomes.

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Interventions to Improve Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Updated Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052477 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2477

Author(s):

Panmial Priscilla Damulak ◽

Suriani Ismail ◽

Rosliza Abdul Manaf ◽

Salmiah Mohd Said ◽

Oche Agbaji

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Behavioral Interventions ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Self Report ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Art Adherence ◽

Study Characteristics ◽

Combination Study ◽

Sub Saharan

Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains the bedrock of effective therapy and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This systematic review examines the effect of interventions in improving ART adherence in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which bears the largest global burden of HIV infection. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, and based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria, PUBMED, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases were searched for published studies on ART adherence interventions from 2010 to 2019. Thirty-one eligible studies published between 2010 to 2019 were identified, the categories of interventions were structural, behavioral, biological, cognitive, and combination. Study characteristics varied across design, intervention type, intervention setting, country, and outcome measurements. Many of the studies were behavioral interventions conducted in hospitals with more studies being randomized controlled trial (RCT) interventions. Despite the study variations, twenty-four studies recorded improvements. Notwithstanding, more quality studies such as RCTs should be conducted, especially among key affected populations (KAPs) to control transmission of resistant strains of the virus. Reliable objective measures of adherence should replace the conventional subjective self-report. Furthermore, long-term interventions with longer duration should be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.

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Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIDS Research and Therapy ◽

10.1186/s12981-021-00395-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Benjamin Momo Kadia ◽

Christian Akem Dimala ◽

Noah T. Fongwen ◽

Adrian D. Smith

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Health System ◽

Sample Size ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

System Level ◽

Comprehensive Treatment ◽

Barriers And Enablers ◽

Sub Saharan

Abstract Introduction Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) even after integration of HIV and TB treatment. This study assessed ART uptake, its barriers and enablers in programmes integrating TB and HIV treatment in SSA. Method A systematic review was performed. Seven databases were searched for eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published from March 2004 through July 2019. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of ART uptake. A thematic approach was used to analyse and synthesise data on barriers and enablers. Results Of 5139 references identified, 27 were included in the review: 23/27 estimated ART uptake and 10/27 assessed barriers to and/or enablers of ART uptake. The pooled ART uptake was 53% (95% CI: 42, 63%) and between-study heterogeneity was high (I2 = 99.71%, p < 0.001). WHO guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities and sample size were associated with heterogeneity. There were statistically significant subgroup effects with high heterogeneity after subgroup analyses by region, guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities, study design, and sample size. The most frequently described socioeconomic and individual level barriers to ART uptake were stigma, low income, and younger age group. The most frequently reported health system-related barriers were limited staff capacity, shortages in medical supplies, lack of infrastructure, and poor adherence to or lack of treatment guidelines. Clinical barriers included intolerance to anti-TB drugs, fear of drug toxicity, and contraindications to antiretrovirals. Health system enablers included good management of the procurement, supply, and dispensation chain; convenience and accessibility of treatment services; and strong staff capacity. Availability of psychosocial support was the most frequently reported enabler of uptake at the community level. Conclusions In SSA, programmes integrating treatment of TB and HIV do not, in general, achieve high ART uptake but we observe a net improvement in uptake after WHO issued the 2012 guidelines on collaborative TB/HIV activities. The recurrence of specific modifiable system-level and patient-level factors in the literature reveals key intervention points to improve ART uptake in these programmes. Systematic review registration: CRD42019131933.

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All-cause mortality after antiretroviral therapy initiation in HIV-positive women from Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Americas

AIDS ◽

10.1097/qad.0000000000002399 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 277-289

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Therapy Initiation ◽

Hiv Positive Women ◽

All Cause Mortality ◽

Sub Saharan

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Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Against HIV-Positive Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838020906560 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 152483802090656 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eric Y. Tenkorang ◽

Michael Asamoah-Boaheng ◽

Adobea Y. Owusu

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Hiv Positive Women ◽

Sub Saharan

Objectives: To systematically analyze and summarize the literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) against HIV-positive women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to identify their risk factors for IPV. Method: A comprehensive review of the literature using the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) yielded 1,879 articles (PubMed = 1,251, Embase = 491, Web of Science = 132, and identified additional records = 5). Twenty were selected for quantitative and qualitative assessment and synthesis. We employed a random effects model with generic inverse variance method and estimated the odds ratios. Findings: Results indicated a high prevalence of physical, sexual, and emotional violence against women living with HIV/AIDS in SSA. Educational background, alcohol use, marital status, previous experiences with IPV, and employment status were identified as significant risk factors. We also assessed the methodological quality of the articles by examining publication bias and some heterogeneity statistics. Conclusion: There is limited research on IPV against HIV-positive women in SSA. However, the few existing studies agree on the importance of targeting HIV-positive women with specific interventions given their vulnerability to IPV and to address factors exacerbating these risks and vulnerabilities.

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A Systematic Review of Pediatric Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa

Annals of Epidemiology ◽

10.1016/j.annepidem.2009.07.049 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 19 (9) ◽

pp. 665-666

Author(s):

M. Sarr ◽

H. Loemba ◽

M. Yasa

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Patient Retention in Antiretroviral Therapy Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review

PLoS Medicine ◽

10.1371/journal.pmed.0040298 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 4 (10) ◽

pp. e298 ◽

Cited By ~ 483

Author(s):

Sydney Rosen ◽

Matthew P Fox ◽

Christopher J Gill

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Patient Retention

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Accessing antiretroviral therapy for children: Caregivers' voices

Health SA Gesondheid ◽

10.4102/hsag.v21i0.987 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

pp. 331-338

Author(s):

Margaret Williams ◽

Dalena R.M. Van Rooyen ◽

Esmeralda J. Ricks

Keyword(s):

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Scale Up ◽

Target Population ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Eastern Cape ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Sub Saharan

Despite efforts to scale up access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), particularly at primary health care (PHC) facilities, antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to be out of reach formany human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive children in sub-Saharan Africa. In resource limited settings decentralisation of ART is required to scale up access to essential medication. Traditionally, paediatric HIV care has been provided in tertiary care facilities which have better human and material resources, but limited accessibility in terms of distance for caregivers of HIV-positive children. The focus of this article is on the experiences of caregivers whilst accessing ART for HIV-positive children at PHC (decentralised care) facilities in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research design was used. The target population comprised caregivers of HIV-positive children. Data were collected by means of indepth individual interviews, which were thematically analysed. Guba's model was usedto ensure trustworthiness. Barriers to accessing ART at PHC clinics for HIV-positive children included personal issues, negative experiences, lack of support and finance, stigma and discrimination. The researchers recommend standardised programmes be developed and implemented in PHC clinics to assist in providing treatment, care and support for HIV positive children.

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