scholarly journals Our Choice Improves Use of Safer Conception Methods Among HIV Serodiscordant Couples in Uganda: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Two Implementation Approaches

Author(s):  
Glenn Wagner ◽  
Rhoda Wanyenze ◽  
Jolly Beyeza-Kashesya ◽  
Violet Gwokyalya ◽  
Emily Hurley ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Safer conception counseling (SCC) to promote safer conception methods (SCM) is not yet part of routine family planning or HIV care, and to date there are no published controlled evaluations of SCC.Methods: In a hybrid, cluster randomized controlled trial, six HIV clinics were randomly assigned to implement the SCC intervention Our Choice using either a high (SCC1) or low intensity (SCC2) approach, or existing family planning services (usual care). 389 HIV clients considering childbearing with an HIV-negative partner enrolled. The primary outcome was self-reported use of appropriate reproductive method (SCM if trying to conceive; modern contraceptives if not) over 12 months or until pregnancy. Results: The combined intervention groups used appropriate reproductive methods more than usual care [20.8% vs. 6.9%; adjusted OR (95% CI)=10.63 (2.79, 40.49)], and SCC1 reported a higher rate than SCC2 [27.1% vs. 14.6%; OR (95% CI)=4.50 (1.44, 14.01)]. Among those trying to conceive, the intervention arms reported greater accurate use of SCM compared to usual care [24.1% vs. 0%; OR (95% CI)=91.84 (4.94, 1709.0)], and SCC1 performed better than SCC2 [34.6% vs. 11.5%; OR (95% CI)=6.43 (1.90, 21.73)]; the arms did not vary on modern contraception use among those not trying to conceive. A cost of $631 per person was estimated to obtain accurate use of SCM in SCC1, compared to $1014 in SCC2. Conclusions: More intensive training and supervision leads to greater adoption of complex SCM behaviors and is more cost-effective than the standard implementation approach.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03167879; date registered May 23, 2017; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03167879.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn J. Wagner ◽  
Rhoda K. Wanyenze ◽  
Jolly Beyeza-Kashesya ◽  
Violet Gwokyalya ◽  
Emily Hurley ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Safer conception counseling (SCC) to promote the use of safer conception methods (SCM) is not yet part of routine family planning or HIV care. Guidelines for the use of SCM have been published, but to date there are no published controlled evaluations of SCC. Furthermore, it is unknown whether standard methods commonly used in resource constrained settings to integrate new services would be sufficient, or if enhanced training and supervision would result in a more efficacious approach to implementing SCC. Methods In a hybrid, cluster randomized controlled trial, six HIV clinics were randomly assigned to implement the SCC intervention Our Choice using either a high (SCC1) or low intensity (SCC2) approach (differentiated by amount of training and supervision), or existing family planning services (usual care). Three hundred eighty-nine HIV clients considering childbearing with an HIV-negative partner enrolled. The primary outcome was self-reported use of appropriate reproductive method (SCM if trying to conceive; modern contraceptives if not) over 12 months or until pregnancy. Results The combined intervention groups used appropriate reproductive methods more than usual care [20.8% vs. 6.9%; adjusted OR (95% CI)=10.63 (2.79, 40.49)], and SCC1 reported a higher rate than SCC2 [27.1% vs. 14.6%; OR (95% CI)=4.50 (1.44, 14.01)]. Among those trying to conceive, the intervention arms reported greater accurate use of SCM compared to usual care [24.1% vs. 0%; OR (95% CI)=91.84 (4.94, 1709.0)], and SCC1 performed better than SCC2 [34.6% vs. 11.5%; OR (95% CI)=6.43 (1.90, 21.73)]. The arms did not vary on modern contraception use among those not trying to conceive. A cost of $631 per person was estimated to obtain accurate use of SCM in SCC1, compared to $1014 in SCC2. Conclusions More intensive provider training and more frequent supervision leads to greater adoption of complex SCM behaviors and is more cost-effective than the standard low intensity implementation approach. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03167879; date registered May 23, 2017.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dineen-Griffin ◽  
Victoria Garcia Cardenas ◽  
Kylie Williams ◽  
Shalom Isaac Benrimoj

BACKGROUND Internationally, governments have been investing in supporting pharmacists to take on an expanded role to support self-care for health system efficiency. There is consistent evidence that minor ailment schemes (MAS) promote efficiencies within the healthcare system. The cost savings and health outcomes demonstrated in the UK and Canada opens up new opportunities for pharmacists to effect sustainable changes through MAS delivery in Australia. OBJECTIVE This trial is evaluating the clinical, economic and humanistic impact of an Australian minor ailments service (AMAS), compared with usual pharmacy care in a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Western Sydney, Australia. METHODS The cluster-randomized controlled trial design has an intervention and a control group, comparing individuals receiving a structured intervention with those receiving usual care for specific common ailments. Participants will be community pharmacies, general practices and patients located in Western Sydney Primary Health Network region. 30 community pharmacies will be randomly assigned to either intervention or control group. Each will recruit 24 patients seeking, aged 18 years or older, presenting to the pharmacy in person with a symptom-based or product-based request for one of the following ailments (reflux, cough, common cold, headache (tension or migraine), primary dysmenorrhoea and low back pain). Intervention pharmacists will deliver protocolized care to patients using clinical treatment pathways with agreed referral points and collaborative systems boosting clinician-pharmacist communication. Patients recruited in control pharmacies will receive usual care. The co-primary outcomes are rates of appropriate use of nonprescription medicines and rates of appropriate medical referral. Secondary outcomes include self-reported symptom resolution, time to resolution of symptoms, health services resource utilization and EQ VAS. Differences in the primary outcomes between groups will be analyzed at the individual patient level accounting for correlation within clusters with generalized estimating equations. The economic impact of the model will be evaluated by cost analysis compared with usual care. RESULTS The study began in July 2018. At the time of submission, 30 community pharmacies have been recruited. Pharmacists from the 15 intervention pharmacies have been trained. 27 general practices have consented. Pharmacy patient recruitment began in August 2018 and is ongoing and monthly targets are being met. Recruitment will be completed March 31st, 2019. CONCLUSIONS This study may demonstrate the utilization and efficacy of a protocolized intervention to manage minor ailments in the community, and will assess the clinical, economic and humanistic impact of this intervention in Australian pharmacy practice. Pharmacists supporting patient self-care and self-medication may contribute greater efficiency of healthcare resources and integration of self-care in the health system. The proposed model and developed educational content may form the basis of a MAS national service, with protocolized care for common ailments using a robust framework for management and referral. CLINICALTRIAL Registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) and allocated the ACTRN: ACTRN12618000286246. Registered on 23 February 2018.


Author(s):  
Christi A. Patten ◽  
Harry A. Lando ◽  
Chris A. Desnoyers ◽  
Martha J. Bock ◽  
Lucinda Alexie ◽  
...  

Substantial gaps remain in the evidence base for prenatal tobacco use interventions among Indigenous women. Using a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT), the Healthy Pregnancies Project evaluated a community-level intervention for Alaska Native (AN) women in rural western Alaska. Sixteen villages were randomly assigned to usual care (control, n = 8 villages) or usual care plus a community-level intervention delivered by local AN “Native Sisters” (n = 8 villages). Outcomes were tobacco use rate at delivery and at 2 and 6 months postpartum, with biochemical confirmation obtained at 6 months. The program had high reach, enrolling 73% of all eligible women screened. Of the 352 participants, 67% used tobacco at baseline. No significant differences emerged between study groups on follow-up in tobacco use rates. More intervention than control participants made a quit attempt at 2 months postpartum (70% vs. 51%, respectively, p = 0.012). Participants in both study groups reported the program helped to raise awareness of healthy pregnancies in the study villages. This trial supports the reach of a community-level intervention, but not its efficacy for reducing tobacco use during pregnancy or postpartum. Efforts to sustain early quit attempts appear warranted. The community involvement, and reported impact on raising awareness of the importance of healthy pregnancies, supports the value of the research program in this community.


Contraception ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Miller ◽  
Daniel J. Tancredi ◽  
Michele R. Decker ◽  
Heather L. McCauley ◽  
Kelley A. Jones ◽  
...  

Stroke ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annemarei Ranta ◽  
Susan Dovey ◽  
John Gommans ◽  
Mark Weatherall

Introduction: The risk of stroke after a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is greatest within the first few days of the TIA and then tapers over time. It is known that early initiation of best medical therapy significantly reduces this risk. Hypothesis: To test whether a TIA/Stroke Electronic Decision Support (EDS) tool in primary care promotes faster access to optimal TIA management and reduces the risk of recurrent stroke and vascular events. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial (FASTEST Trial ACTRN12611000792921) with general practitioner (GP) practices randomized to use an EDS tool versus usual care. Results: The study period was 28 February 2012 to 15 May 2013 and 46 GP practices (145 GPs) registered 373 patients. Eligibility criteria were met by 291/373 (78%) patients of whom 178 received GP care using the EDS and 113 usual care. Ninety day follow up was completed on 13 August 2013. Stroke occurred in 2/178 (1.1%) of the intervention group and 5/113 (4.4%) in the usual care group; odds ratio (95% CI), unadjusted for cluster randomization, 0.25 (0.05 to 1.29), p=0.073. Any vascular event or death occurred in 7/178 (3.9%) of the EDS group and 14/113 (12.4%) of the control group, unadjusted OR (95% CI) 0.29 (0.11 to 0.74), p=0.007. The time to starting anti-platelet medication, in those not previously using these, was similar in the two groups, median (inter-quartile range) of 0 days (0 to 0) and 0 days (0 to 1) in the EDS and usual care groups. Statin and anti-hypertensive prescription, in those not previously using these, occurred more quickly in the EDS group compared to usual care; median (inter-quartile range) 2 days (0 to 7) versus 3 days (0 to7) for statin and 3 days (0 to 7) versus 5 days (1.5 to 37) for anti-hypertensive prescription. Conclusion: The preliminary analysis of this trial supports improved outcomes and process of care with EDS versus usual care for TIA management in primary care. The full analysis, adjusted for the cluster randomization, will be presented at the meeting.


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