scholarly journals Evaluation of a community-based HIV test and start program in a conflict affected rural area of Yambio County, South Sudan

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254331
Author(s):  
Cecilia Ferreyra ◽  
Laura Moretó-Planas ◽  
Fara Wagbo Temessadouno ◽  
Beatriz Alonso ◽  
Buai Tut ◽  
...  

Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in South Sudan is around 10%. Access to HIV care in settings with low ART coverage or conflict affected is still low; innovative strategies are needed to increase access and ensure continuation of ART during instability. A pilot HIV test and start project was implemented in a conflict-affected area of South Sudan. In a retrospective analysis, we determined the feasibility and outcomes of this intervention. Methods Programme data from July 2015 to June 2018 was analysed. The project involved five mobile teams offering HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and same day ART initiation at community level. Baseline and follow-up information on clinical, immunological and viral load (VL) was routinely recorded, as well as treatment outcomes. A semi-qualitative study was conducted to assess acceptability of the program among beneficiaries and community members. Results By June 2018, 14824 people received counselling and testing for HIV and 498 (3.4%) tested positive. Out of those 395 (79.3%) started ART. A total of 72 ART patients were organized in 26 Community ART Groups (CAGs) and contingency plan was activated 9 times for 101 patients. Kaplan-Meier estimated retention in care (RIC) at 12 and 18 months was 80.6% [95% CI: 75.9–84.5%] and 69.9% [95% CI: 64.4–74.8%] respectively. RIC was significantly higher at 18 months in patients under community ART groups (CAGs) (90.9% versus 63.4% p<0.001) when compared to patients on regular follow up. VL suppression at 12 months was 90.3% and overall virological suppression reached 91.2%. A total of 279 persons were interviewed about the MSF program perception and acceptance: 98% had heard about the programme and 84% found it beneficial for the community, 98% accepted to be tested and only 4% found disadvantages to the programme. Conclusions Our study shows that HCT and early ART initiation in conflict affected populations can be provided with good program outcomes. RIC and virological suppression are comparable with facility-based HIV programs and to those in stable contexts. This model could be extrapolated to other similar contexts with low access to ART and where security situation is a concern.

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Reepalu ◽  
Taye Tolera Balcha ◽  
Sten Skogmar ◽  
Zelalem Habtamu Jemal ◽  
Erik Sturegård ◽  
...  

Abstract Background.  Antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation during treatment for tuberculosis (TB) improves survival in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/TB-coinfected patients. We compared virological suppression (VS) rates, mortality, and retention in care in HIV-positive adults receiving care in 5 Ethiopian health centers with regard to TB coinfection. Methods.  Human immunodeficiency virus-positive ART-naive adults eligible for ART initiation were prospectively recruited. At inclusion, all patients underwent microbiological investigations for TB (sputum smear, liquid culture, and polymerase chain reaction). Virological suppression rates after 6 months of ART (VS; viral load &lt;40 and &lt;400 copies/mL) with regard to TB status was the primary outcome. The impact of HIV/TB coinfection on VS rates was determined by multivariate regression analysis. Mortality and retention in care were analyzed by proportional hazard models. Results.  Among 812 participants (TB, 158; non-TB, 654), 678 started ART during the follow-up period (TB, 135; non-TB, 543). No difference in retention in care between TB and non-TB patients was observed during follow-up; 25 (3.7%) patients died, and 17 (2.5%) were lost to follow-up (P = .30 and P = .83, respectively). Overall rates of VS at 6 months were 72.1% (&lt;40 copies/mL) and 88.7% (&lt;400 copies/mL), with similar results for subjects with and without TB coinfection (&lt;40 copies/mL: 65 of 92 [70.7%] vs 304 of 420 [72.4%], P = .74; &lt;400 copies/mL: 77 of 92 [83.7%] vs 377 of 420 [89.8%], P = .10, respectively). Conclusions.  High rates of VS can be achieved in adults receiving ART at health centers, with no significant difference with regard to TB coinfection. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of combined ART and anti-TB treatment in primary healthcare in low-income countries. Clinical Trials Registration.  NCT01433796.


1970 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 175-179
Author(s):  
OR Ugwu

Background: Certain researchers have reported that a child-friendly clinic may improve patient/caregiver satisfaction at clinic attendance. This could serve as an innovation for reducing loss-to-follow up and increasing retention in care.Aim: To assess the impact of making the clinic more child-friendly on clinic experience, retention in care and loss-to-follow up of HIV -infected children.Method: The study was carried out in three phases. Phase one was a satisfaction survey to find out the patient/caregivers’ satisfaction of the clinic environment and services provided using a selfadministered questionnaire. Phase two was the creation of the childfriendly environment and phase three was a post-provision of child-friendly clinic satisfaction survey. The loss-to-follow up rate (failure to return to clinic ≥3months after the last scheduled clinic appointment in a child not known to be dead or transferred out of the facility) and retention rate (remaining alive and receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy) were also determined before and after setting up the childfriendly clinic.Results: There were 146 respondents before the study and 206 respondents after the intervention. The retention rate increased from 62.5% to 82% (p=0.02), while the loss-to-follow up rate dropped from 27.7% to 7.0% (p=0.00).Conclusion: Making the clinic area child-friendly can impact greatly on HIV care by improving patient satisfaction and retention of HIVinfected children in care and reducing loss-to-follow up.Key words: HIV, child-friendly environment, retention in care, loss to follow-up.


Curationis ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Sethosa ◽  
K Peltzer

The aim of this study was to evaluate HIV counselling and testing, self-disclosure, social support and sexual behavior change among HIV reactive patients among a rural sample of HIV reactive patients in South Africa. The sample consisted at the post-test counselling exit interview of 55 participants (41 women and 14 men) who tested HIV-positive conveniently selected from a rural hospital and at five months follow-up at their homes 47. Results indicated that most patients had an HIV test because of medical reasons. At follow-up only 36% had disclosed their HIV status and half of the participants had had sex without condoms in the past three weeks. Major reason for not disclosing of their HIV status were being afraid of negative reactions, fear of discrimination, fear of violence, concerns about confidentiality and not yet ready. Social support was found to be significantly related to disclosure of HIV status, while counselling context and content and counselling satisfaction were not related with HIV disclosure.


2016 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neo Mohlabane ◽  
Bomkazi Tutshana ◽  
Karl Peltzer ◽  
Aziza Mwisongo

Background: The scale-up of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) in South Africa to 4500 public health facilities and the service's provision in mobile and non-medical sites was aimed at increasing HCT uptake. However, some people still have never had an HIV test.Objective: An HCT survey was carried out to ascertain barriers and facilitators for HIV testing in South Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 67 HCT-offering health facilities in 8 South African provinces was undertaken. Individuals (n = 489) who had not tested for HIV on the day of the site visit were interviewed on awareness of HCT services, HIV testing history and barriers to HIV testing. Frequencies were run to describe the sample characteristics, barriers and facilitators to HIV testing. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was usedt o identify the association between never tested for HIV with socio-demographics, awareness of HCT services and type of HCT facilities.Results: In all 18.1% participants never had an HIV test. Major barriers to HCT uptake comprise being scared of finding out one's HIV test result or what people may say, shyness or embarrassment, avoidance of divulging personal information to health workers and fear of death. In multivariate analysis the age group 55 years and older, and not being recommended to have an HIV test were associated with never had an HIV test. Potential facilitators for HIV testing include community or household HIV testing, providing incentives for those who test for HIV, mandatory HIV testing and disclosure of HIV status by those who test HIV positive.Conclusion: The benefits of HCT which include the reduction of HIV transmission, the availability of HIV care and treatment needs to be emphasized to enhance HCT uptake.


Author(s):  
Kelly A. Hennessey ◽  
Taina Dadaille Leger ◽  
Vanessa R. Rivera ◽  
Adias Marcelin ◽  
Margaret L. McNairy ◽  
...  

In September 2015, the World Health Organization updated their guidelines to recommend antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV. Countries are now in the process of implementing strategies to provide universal HIV treatment. We analyzed the rate of retention and time to ART eligibility (according to 2013 WHO guidelines) among 3,345 adult patients receiving positive HIV test results between February 1, 2003 and March 31, 2013 at the GHESKIO Clinic in Haiti, with WHO stage 1 or 2 disease and initial CD4 cell count >500 cells/mm3. Among the 3,345 patients, 2,423 (72%) were female, the median age was 33 years, 3,089 (92%) lived in Port-au-Prince, and 1,944 (58%) had attended no school or primary school only. The median initial CD4 cell count was 668 cells/mm3 (IQR: 572-834); over the subsequent 2 years, 1,485 patients (44%) were lost to follow-up and 7 (<1%) died pre-ART, 1,041 (31%) were retained in pre-ART care, and 819 (24%) initiated ART. In multivariate analysis, secondary education (aOR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.10-1.47), female gender (aOR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09-1.50), co-habitation (aOR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.09-1.57), and residence in Port-au-Prince (aOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09-1.88) were associated with retention in care. The median time from baseline CD4 count to ART eligibility was 1.7 years. Prior to the implementation of universal treatment, pre-ART attrition was high among patients who did not qualify for ART at presentation. Though implementing WHO recommendations for universal ART will require service expansion, it will likely result in improved retention for those at risk of being lost to follow-up.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S477-S477
Author(s):  
Maria J Jaurretche ◽  
Morgan Byrne ◽  
Lindsey J Powers Happ ◽  
Matthew E Levy ◽  
Michael A Horberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In 2019, the US Administration announced the Ending the HIV Epidemic plan to decrease new infections. A key component is the Test and Treat plan to diagnose early, treat rapidly and achieve viral suppression (VS) among persons living with HIV (PLWH). We assessed retention in care (RIC), antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and VS among newly diagnosed PLWH in Washington, DC. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the DC Cohort, an observational longitudinal cohort of PLWH in care in 14 clinics in DC. We included participants enrolled from 2011 to 2016 whose HIV diagnosis was within 1 year of enrollment and with at least 12 months follow-up. RIC was defined as ≥2 visits or HIV lab results 90 days apart in the first year of follow-up. ART initiation was defined as being prescribed ART, VS was defined as HIV RNA <200 copies/mL, and both these outcomes were assessed at 2 time points: by 3 and 12 months. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression was used to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with RIC, ART initiation and VS. Results Among the 455 newly diagnosed participants (6% of all enrollees), median age was 33 years (IQR 25, 45), 69% were Black, 79% male, 60% MSM. Median duration of HIV at enrollment was 4.9 months (IQR 2.3, 7.7). Median nadir CD4 count was 346 cells/μL (IQR 224, 494). Of the 455, 38% had a history of AIDS, 92% were RIC, 65% initiated ART by 3 months and 17% had VS by 3 months. There were no differences by sex or race for RIC, ART initiation and VS. An AIDS diagnosis at enrollment was associated with RIC (aOR 2.28; 1.01–5.15), ART initiation by 3 months (aOR 2.41; 1.54–3.76), and VS by 12 months (aOR 1.92; 1.06–3.46). Lower nadir CD4 (aOR 0.89 per 50 cell increase; 0.84–0.94) and younger age (aOR 0.747 per 10-year increase; 0.584–0.995) were associated with ART initiation by 12 months. Conclusion Although the majority of newly diagnosed PLWH were RIC, fewer started ART or achieved VS. With a large proportion of our sample having an AIDS diagnosis at enrollment, we illustrate the ongoing challenge of late HIV diagnosis in DC. Those with AIDS at diagnosis were more likely to initiate ART within the first 3 months. As same-day ART initiation is scaled up in DC, future research can evaluate if all PLWH, regardless of AIDS status, will achieve this milestone earlier. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


Author(s):  
Rogers A. Awoh ◽  
Halle G. Ekane ◽  
Anastase Dzudie ◽  
Egbe O. Thomas ◽  
Adebola Adedimeji ◽  
...  

Background: Success of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test-and-treat (T&T) strategy requires high antiretroviral (ART) uptake and retention. However, low ART uptake and retention continue to be reported in ART programs. This study assessed ART uptake and retention outcomes of the HIV T&T strategy in three HIV clinics in Cameroon.Methods: A retrospective chart review was done for 423 patients who initiated HIV care within a period of three months prior to the implementation of the HIV T&T strategy, and for another 423 patients who initiated HIV care within a three-month period following the HIV T&T strategy implementation. For each group, sociodemographic, ART uptake and retention data were collected. Chi square and Student T tests were used to test for differences proportions and means between the two groups at p <0.05 and 95% confidence interval.Results: The mean ages (years) in the pre-T&T and the T&T groups were 39.73 and 39.72, and the proportion of female were 65.85% and 65.08% respectively. ART uptake proportion was higher amongst those enrolled under the T&T strategy (98.08% vs 95.39%, p=0.02). A greater proportion of the patients in the T&T group initiated ART within 2 weeks following HIV diagnosis (55.84% vs 48.17%, p=0.03). However, ART retention at 24th month was lower in the T&T group (78.83% vs. 85.79%, p=0.01).Conclusions: The findings suggest that the T&T strategy is associated with higher ART uptake, earlier ART initiation, and lower ART retention. This underscores a need for strategies to improve ART retention under the HIV T&T guidelines. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Ahoua ◽  
Shino Arikawa ◽  
Thierry Tiendrebeogo ◽  
Maria Laheurta ◽  
Dario Aly ◽  
...  

Abstract Background : Failure to retain HIV-positive pregnant women on antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to increased mortality for the mother and her child. This study evaluated different retention measures for women’s engagement along the continuum of care for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) option B+ services in Mozambique. Methods : We compared ‘point’ retention (patient’s presence in care 12-month post-ART initiation or any time thereafter) with the following definitions: alive and in care 12 month post-ART initiation (Ministry of Health; MOH); attendance at a health facility up to 15-month post-ART initiation (World Health Organization; WHO); alive and in treatment at 1-, 2-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month post-ART initiation (Inter-Agency Task Team; IATT); and alive and in care 12-month post-ART initiation with ≥75% appointment adherence during follow-up (i.e. ‘appointment adherence’ retention) or with ≥75% of appointments met on time during follow-up (i.e. ‘on-time adherence’ retention). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were produced to assess variability in retention rates. We used ‘on-time adherence’ retention as our reference to estimate sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of misclassified patients. Results : Considering the ‘point’ retention definition, 16,840 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in option B+ PMTCT services were identified as ‘retained in care’ 12-month post-ART initiation. Of these, 60.3% (95% CI 59.6–61.1), 84.8% (95% CI 84.2–85.3), and 16.4% (95% CI 15.8–17.0) were classified as ‘retained in care’ using MOH, WHO, and IATT definitions, respectively, and 1.2% (95% CI 1.0–1.4) were classified as ‘retained in care’ using the ‘≥75% on-time adherence’ definition. All definitions provided specificity rates of ≥98%. The sensitivity rates were 3.0% with 78% of patients misclassified according to the WHO definition and 4.3% with 54% of patients misclassified according to the MOH definition. The ‘point’ retention definition misclassified 97.6% of patients. Using IATT and ‘appointment adherence’ retention definitions, sensitivity rates (9.0% and 11.7%, respectively) were also low; however, the proportion of misclassified patients was smaller (15.9% and 18.3%, respectively). Conclusion : More stringent definitions indicated lower retention rates for PMTCT programs. Policy makers and program managers should include attendance at follow-up visits when measuring retention in care to better guide planning, scale-up, and monitoring of interventions.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence Ahoua ◽  
Thierry Tiendrebeogo ◽  
Shino Arikawa ◽  
Maria Laheurta ◽  
Dario Aly ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Failure of retention of HIV-positive pregnant women on ART leads to increased mortality for the mother and her child. This study evaluated different retention measures intended to measure women’s engagement along the continuum of care for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) option B+ services in Mozambique. Methods We compared ‘point’ retention (patient’s presence in care at 12-months post-antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation or any time thereafter) to the following definitions: alive and in care at 12 months post-ART initiation (Ministry of Health); attendance at a health facility up to 15 months post-ART initiation (World Health Organisation); alive and in treatment at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-ART initiation (Inter-Agency Task Team); and alive and in care at 12 months post-ART initiation with ≥75% appointment or on-time adherence during follow-up (‘appointment adherence’ and ‘on-time adherence’ retentions). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were produced to assess variability in retention rates. We used ‘on-time adherence’ retention as a gold standard to estimate sensitivity, specificity, and proportion of misclassified patients. Results Considering the ‘point’ retention definition, 16,840 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled in option B+ PMTCT services were identified as ‘retained in care’ 12 months post-ART initiation. Of these, 60.3% (95% CI 59.6–61.1), 84.8% (95% CI 84.2–85.3), and 16.4% (95% CI 15.8–17.0) were classified as ‘retained in care’ using MOH, WHO, and IATT definitions, respectively, and 1.2% (95% CI 1.0–1.4) were classified as ‘retained in care’ using the ‘ ≥75% on-time adherence’ definition. All definitions provided specificity rates of ≥98%. The sensitivity rates were 3.0% with 78% of patients misclassified according to the WHO definition and 4.3% with 54% of patients misclassified according to the MOH definition. The ‘point’ retention definition misclassified 97.6% of patients. Using IATT and ‘appointment adherence’ retention definitions, sensitivity rates (9.0% and 11.7%, respectively) were also low; however, the proportion of misclassified patients was smaller (15.9% and 18.3%, respectively). Conclusion More stringent definitions indicated lower retention rates for PMTCT programmes. Policy makers and programme managers should include attendance at follow-up visits when measuring retention in care to better guide planning, scaling up, and monitoring of interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69
Author(s):  
T. Agizew ◽  
D. Surie ◽  
J.E. Oeltmann ◽  
M. Letebele ◽  
S. Pals ◽  
...  

Setting: Twenty-two clinics providing HIV care and treatment in Botswana where tuberculosis (TB) and HIV comorbidity is as high as 49%.Objectives: To assess eligibility of TB preventive treatment (TPT) at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and at four follow-up visits (FUVs), and to describe the TB prevalence and associated factors at baseline and yield of TB diagnoses at each FUV.Design: A prospective study of routinely collected data on people living with HIV (PLHIV) enrolled into care for the Xpert® MTB/RIF Package Rollout Evaluation Study between 2012 and 2015.Results: Of 6041 PLHIV initiating ART, eligibility for TPT was 69% (4177/6041) at baseline and 93% (5408/5815); 95% (5234/5514); 96% (4869/5079); and 97% (3925/4055) at FUV1, FUV2, FUV3, and FUV4, respectively. TB prevalence at baseline was 11% and 2%, 3%, 3% and 6% at each subsequent FUV. At baseline, independent risk factors for prevalent TB were CD4 <200 cells/mm3 (aOR = 1.4, P = 0.030); anemia (aOR = 2.39, P < 0.001); cough (aOR = 11.21, P < 0.001); fever (aOR = 2.15, P = 0.001); and weight loss (aOR = 2.60, P = 0.002).Conclusion: Eligibility for TPT initiation is higher at visits post-ART initiation, while most cases of active TB were identified at ART initiation. Missed opportunities for TB further compromises TB control effort among PLHIV in Botswana.


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