Rates and Correlates of HIV Incidence in Namibia’s Zambezi Region From 2014 to 2016: Sentinel, Community-Based Cohort Study

Background Direct measures of HIV incidence are needed to assess the population-level impact of prevention programs but are scarcely available in the subnational epidemic hotspots of sub-Saharan Africa. We created a sentinel HIV incidence cohort within a community-based program that provided home-based HIV testing to all residents of Namibia’s Zambezi region, where approximately 24% of the adult population was estimated to be living with HIV. Objective The aim of this study was to estimate HIV incidence, detect correlates of HIV acquisition, and assess the feasibility of the sentinel, community-based approach to HIV incidence surveillance in a subnational epidemic hotspot. Methods Following the program’s initial home-based testing (December 2014-July 2015), we purposefully selected 10 clusters of 60 to 70 households each and invited residents who were HIV negative and aged ≥15 years to participate in the cohort. Consenting participants completed behavioral interviews and a second HIV test approximately 1 year later (March-September 2016). We used Poisson models to calculate HIV incidence rates between baseline and follow-up and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to assess the correlates of seroconversion. Results Among 1742 HIV-negative participants, 1624 (93.23%) completed follow-up. We observed 26 seroconversions in 1954 person-years (PY) of follow-up, equating to an overall incidence rate of 1.33 per 100 PY (95% CI 0.91-1.95). Among women, the incidence was 1.55 per 100 PY (95% CI 1.12-2.17) and significantly higher among those aged 15 to 24 years and residing in rural areas (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.26, 95% CI 1.39-13.13; P=.01), residing in the Ngweze suburb of Katima Mulilo city (aHR 2.34, 95% CI 1.25-4.40; P=.01), who had no prior HIV testing in the year before cohort enrollment (aHR 3.38, 95% CI 1.04-10.95; P=.05), and who had engaged in transactional sex (aHR 17.64, 95% CI 2.88-108.14; P=.02). Among men, HIV incidence was 1.05 per 100 PY (95% CI 0.54-2.31) and significantly higher among those aged 40 to 44 years (aHR 13.04, 95% CI 5.98-28.41; P<.001) and had sought HIV testing outside the study between baseline and follow-up (aHR 8.28, 95% CI 1.39-49.38; P=.02). No seroconversions occurred among persons with HIV-positive partners on antiretroviral treatment. Conclusions Nearly three decades into Namibia’s generalized HIV epidemic, these are the first estimates of HIV incidence for its highest prevalence region. By creating a sentinel incidence cohort from the infrastructure of an existing community-based testing program, we were able to characterize current transmission patterns, corroborate known risk factors for HIV acquisition, and provide insight into the efficacy of prevention interventions in a subnational epidemic hotspot. This study demonstrates an efficient and scalable framework for longitudinal HIV incidence surveillance that can be implemented in diverse sentinel sites and populations.

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Rates and Correlates of HIV Incidence in Namibia’s Zambezi Region From 2014 to 2016: Sentinel, Community-Based Cohort Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.17107 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Andrew D Maher ◽

Tuli Nakanyala ◽

Nicholus Mutenda ◽

Karen M Banda ◽

Dimitri Prybylski ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Incidence ◽

Community Based ◽

Home Based ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

Hiv Negative

BACKGROUND Direct measures of HIV incidence are needed to assess the population-level impact of prevention programs but are scarcely available in the subnational epidemic hotspots of sub-Saharan Africa. We created a sentinel HIV incidence cohort within a community-based program that provided home-based HIV testing to all residents of Namibia’s Zambezi region, where approximately 24% of the adult population was estimated to be living with HIV. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to estimate HIV incidence, detect correlates of HIV acquisition, and assess the feasibility of the sentinel, community-based approach to HIV incidence surveillance in a subnational epidemic hotspot. METHODS Following the program’s initial home-based testing (December 2014-July 2015), we purposefully selected 10 clusters of 60 to 70 households each and invited residents who were HIV negative and aged ≥15 years to participate in the cohort. Consenting participants completed behavioral interviews and a second HIV test approximately 1 year later (March-September 2016). We used Poisson models to calculate HIV incidence rates between baseline and follow-up and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to assess the correlates of seroconversion. RESULTS Among 1742 HIV-negative participants, 1624 (93.23%) completed follow-up. We observed 26 seroconversions in 1954 person-years (PY) of follow-up, equating to an overall incidence rate of 1.33 per 100 PY (95% CI 0.91-1.95). Among women, the incidence was 1.55 per 100 PY (95% CI 1.12-2.17) and significantly higher among those aged 15 to 24 years and residing in rural areas (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.26, 95% CI 1.39-13.13; P=.01), residing in the Ngweze suburb of Katima Mulilo city (aHR 2.34, 95% CI 1.25-4.40; P=.01), who had no prior HIV testing in the year before cohort enrollment (aHR 3.38, 95% CI 1.04-10.95; P=.05), and who had engaged in transactional sex (aHR 17.64, 95% CI 2.88-108.14; P=.02). Among men, HIV incidence was 1.05 per 100 PY (95% CI 0.54-2.31) and significantly higher among those aged 40 to 44 years (aHR 13.04, 95% CI 5.98-28.41; P<.001) and had sought HIV testing outside the study between baseline and follow-up (aHR 8.28, 95% CI 1.39-49.38; P=.02). No seroconversions occurred among persons with HIV-positive partners on antiretroviral treatment. CONCLUSIONS Nearly three decades into Namibia’s generalized HIV epidemic, these are the first estimates of HIV incidence for its highest prevalence region. By creating a sentinel incidence cohort from the infrastructure of an existing community-based testing program, we were able to characterize current transmission patterns, corroborate known risk factors for HIV acquisition, and provide insight into the efficacy of prevention interventions in a subnational epidemic hotspot. This study demonstrates an efficient and scalable framework for longitudinal HIV incidence surveillance that can be implemented in diverse sentinel sites and populations.

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Using routine programmatic data to measure HIV incidence among pregnant women in Botswana

10.21203/rs.3.rs-19601/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Katrina Frances Ortblad ◽

Sheshth Mawandia ◽

Odirile Bakae ◽

Lenna Tau ◽

Matias Grande ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Real World ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Surveillance Systems ◽

Hiv Incidence ◽

Art Initiation ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Hiv Negative

Abstract Introduction: Pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa have high risk of HIV acquisition, yet approaches for measuring maternal HIV incidence using routine surveillance systems are undefined. We used programmatic data from routine antenatal care (ANC) HIV testing in Botswana to measure real-world HIV incidence during pregnancy. Methods: From January 2018 to September 2019, the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness implemented an HIV testing program at 139 ANC clinics. The program captured information on testers’ age, testing date and result, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation. In our analysis, we excluded individuals who previously tested HIV-positive prior to their first ANC visit. We defined incident HIV infection as testing HIV-positive at an ANC visit after a prior HIV-negative result within ANC. Results: Overall, 29,570 pregnant women (median age 26 years, IQR 22-31) tested for HIV at ANC clinics: 3% (836) tested HIV-positive at their first recorded ANC visit and 97% tested HIV-negative (28,734). Of those who tested HIV-negative, 28% (7,940/28,734) had a repeat HIV test recorded at ANC. The median time to HIV re-testing was 92 days (IQR 70-112). In total, 17 previously undiagnosed HIV infections were detected (HIV incidence 8 per 1,000 person-years, 95% CI 0.5-1.3). ART initiation among women newly diagnosed with HIV at ANC (853) was 88% (671/762). Conclusions: In Botswana, real-world HIV incidence among pregnant women at ANC remains above levels of HIV epidemic control (≤1 per 1,000 person-years). This study shows how HIV programmatic data can answer timely population-level epidemiological questions and inform ongoing implementation of HIV prevention and treatment programs.

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‘It is not fashionable to suffer nowadays’: Community motivations to repeatedly participate in outreach HIV testing indicate UHC potential in Tanzania

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261408 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261408

Author(s):

Josien de Klerk ◽

Arianna Bortolani ◽

Judith Meta ◽

Tusajigwe Erio ◽

Tobias Rinke de Wit ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Ethnographic Study ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Community Members ◽

Community Based ◽

Multidisciplinary Study ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Hiv Negative

Objective This study examined people’s motivations for (repeatedly) utilizing HIV testing services during community-based testing events in urban and rural Shinyanga, Tanzania and potential implications for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Methods As part of a broader multidisciplinary study on the implementation of a HIV Test and Treat model in Shinyanga Region, Tanzania, this ethnographic study focused on community-based testing campaigns organised by the implementing partner. Between April 2018 and December 2019, we conducted structured observations (24), short questionnaires (42) and in-depth interviews with HIV-positive (23) and HIV-negative clients (8). Observations focused on motivations for (re-)testing, and the counselling and testing process. Thematic analysis based on inductive and deductive coding was completed using NVivo software. Results Regular HIV testing was encouraged by counsellors. Most participants in testing campaigns were HIV-negative; 51.1% had tested more than once over their lifetimes. Testing campaigns provided an accessible way to learn one’s HIV status. Motivations for repeat testing included: monitoring personal health to achieve (temporary) reassurance, having low levels of trust toward sexual partners, feeling at risk, seeking proof of (ill)-health, and acting responsibly. Repeat testers also associated testing with a desire to start treatment early to preserve a healthy-looking body, should they prove HIV positive. Conclusions Community-based testing campaigns serve three valuable functions related to HIV prevention and treatment: 1) enable community members to check their HIV status regularly as part of a personalized prevention strategy that reinforces responsible behaviour; 2) identify recently sero-converted clients who would not otherwise be targeted; and 3) engage community with general prevention and care messaging and services. This model could be expanded to include routine management of other (chronic) diseases and provide an entry for scaling up UHC.

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Messaging Circumstances and Economic Pressures as Influences on Linkage to Medical Male Circumcision following Community-Based HIV Testing for Men in Rural Southwest Uganda: A Qualitative Study

AIDS Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2018/8387436 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hannah N. Gilbert ◽

Monique A. Wyatt ◽

Stephen Asiimwe ◽

Bosco Turyamureeba ◽

Elioda Tumwesigye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Male Circumcision ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision ◽

Hiv Education ◽

Community Based ◽

Medical Male Circumcision ◽

Demand Creation

Voluntary medical male circumcision (MMC) reduces risk of HIV infection, but uptake remains suboptimal among certain age groups and locations in sub-Saharan Africa. We analysed qualitative data as part of the Linkages Study, a randomized controlled trial to evaluate community-based HIV testing and follow-up as interventions promoting linkage to HIV treatment and prevention in Uganda and South Africa. Fifty-two HIV-negative uncircumcised men participated in the qualitative study. They participated in semistructured individual interviews exploring (a) home HTC experience; (b) responses to test results; (c) efforts to access circumcision services; (d) outcomes of efforts; (e) experiences of follow-up support; and (f) local HIV education and support. Interviews were audio-recorded, translated, transcribed, and summarized into “linkage summaries.” Summaries were analysed inductively to identify the following three thematic experiences shaping men’s circumcision choices: (1) intense relief upon receipt of an unanticipated seronegative diagnosis, (2) the role of peer support in overcoming fear, and (3) anticipation of missed economic productivity. Increased attention to the timing of demand creation activities, to who delivers information about the HIV prevention benefits of MMC, and to the importance of missed income during recovery as a barrier to uptake promises to strengthen and sharpen future MMC demand creation strategies.

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A randomized group antenatal care pilot showed increased partner communication and partner HIV testing during pregnancy in Malawi and Tanzania

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-021-04267-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rohan D. Jeremiah ◽

Dhruvi R. Patel ◽

Ellen Chirwa ◽

Esnath Kapito ◽

Xiaohan Mei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Antenatal Care ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Late Pregnancy ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Partner Communication ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Hiv Test

Abstract Background HIV testing at antenatal care (ANC) is critical to achieving zero new infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most women are tested at ANC, they remain at risk for HIV exposure and transmission to their infant when their partners are not tested. This study evaluates how an HIV-enhanced and Centering-based group ANC model-Group ANC+ that uses interactive learning to practice partner communication is associated with improvements in partner HIV testing during pregnancy. Methods A randomized pilot study conducted in Malawi and Tanzania found multiple positive outcomes for pregnant women (n = 218) assigned to Group ANC+ versus individual ANC. This analysis adds previously unpublished results for two late pregnancy outcomes: communication with partner about three reproductive health topics (safer sex, HIV testing, and family planning) and partner HIV testing since the first antenatal care visit. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the effect of type of ANC on partner communication and partner testing. We also conducted a mediation analysis to assess whether partner communication mediated the effect of type of care on partner HIV testing. Results Nearly 70% of women in Group ANC+ reported communicating about reproductive health with their partner, compared to 45% of women in individual ANC. After controlling for significant covariates, women in group ANC were twice as likely as those in individual ANC to report that their partner got an HIV test (OR 1.99; 95% CI: 1.08, 3.66). The positive effect of the Group ANC + model on partner HIV testing was fully mediated by increased partner communication. Conclusions HIV prevention was included in group ANC health promotion without compromising services and coverage of standard ANC topics, demonstrating that local high-priority health promotion needs can be integrated into ANC using a Group ANC+. These findings provide evidence that greater partner communication can promote healthy reproductive behaviors, including HIV prevention. Additional research is needed to understand the processes by which group ANC allowed women to discuss sensitive topics with partners and how these communications led to partner HIV testing.

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COBA-Cohort: a prospective cohort of HIV-negative men who have sex with men, attending community-based HIV testing services in five European countries (a study protocol)

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011314 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 6 (7) ◽

pp. e011314 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nicolas Lorente ◽

Laura Fernàndez-López ◽

Ricardo Fuertes ◽

Daniela Rojas Castro ◽

François Pichon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Study Protocol ◽

Prospective Cohort ◽

European Countries ◽

Community Based ◽

Hiv Testing Services ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Negative

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An Economic Evaluation of a Community-Based Organization Led HIV Self-Testing Program Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China

10.21203/rs.3.rs-132840/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shanzi Huang ◽

Jason Ong ◽

Wencan Dai ◽

Xi He ◽

Yi Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cost Effectiveness ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Variable Cost ◽

Community Based ◽

Self Testing ◽

Hiv Test ◽

Community Based Organization ◽

The Mean ◽

The Cost ◽

Mean Cost

Abstract Introduction: HIV self-testing (HIVST) is effective in improving the uptake of HIV testing among key populations. Complementary data on the cost-effectiveness of HIVST is critical for planning and scaling up HIVST. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a community-based organization (CBO)-led HIVST model implemented in China. Method: A cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) was conducted by comparing a CBO-led HIVST model with a CBO-led facility-based HIV rapid diagnostics testing (HIV-RDT) model. The full economic cost, including fixed and variable cost, from a health provider perspective using a micro costing approach was estimated. We determined the cost-effectiveness of these two HIV testing models over a two year time horizon (i.e. duration of the programs), and reported costs using US dollars (2020). Results: From January 2017 to December 2018, a total of 4,633 men tested in the HIVST model, and 1,780 men tested in the HIV-RDT model. The total number of new diagnosis was 155 for HIVST and 126 for the HIV-RDT model; the HIV test positivity was 3.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.8-3.9) for the HIVST model and 7.1% (95% CI: 5.9-8.4) for the HIV-RDT model. The mean cost per person tested was $14.57 for HIVST and $24.74 for HIV-RDT. However, the mean cost per diagnosed was higher for HIVST ($435.52) compared with $349.44 for HIV-RDT.Conclusion: Our study confirms that compared to facility-based HIV-RDT, a community-based organization led HIVST program could have a cheaper mean cost per MSM tested for HIV in China. Better targeting of high-risk individuals would further improve the cost-effectiveness of HIVST.

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Prevalence, incidence, and distribution of human papillomavirus types in female sex workers in Kenya

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1177/0956462419884454 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 109-118

Author(s):

Kristen Sweet ◽

Claire Bosire ◽

Busola Sanusi ◽

Carly J Sherrod ◽

Jessie Kwatampora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Papillomavirus ◽

High Risk ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Female Sex ◽

Hpv Prevalence ◽

Hiv Negative

Female sex workers (FSWs) have a notably high risk of acquiring human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. Relatively few studies address the type-specific prevalence and incidence of HPV among FSWs in sub-Saharan Africa. FSWs (n = 348) attending the Korogocho clinic in Nairobi, Kenya participated from August 2009 to March 2011. HPV DNA was detected using the SPF10-LiPA25 PCR assay. Baseline prevalence of HPV infection and cervical dysplasia were calculated, stratified by HIV-serostatus. Incidence rate (IR) of infection was calculated as number of new infections from baseline over person-months among 160 HPV-negative participants with complete 12-month follow-up. Baseline HPV prevalence was 23.6% for any HPV and 20.4% for high-risk HPV (hrHPV) types. Most prevalent types were HPV52 (10.1%), HPV35 (2.3%), and HPV51 (2.3%). A quarter (24%) of participants were HIV-positive. HPV prevalence was higher in HIV-positive (32.1%) than HIV-negative (20.8%) participants. hrHPV prevalence was higher in HIV-positive (27.4%) than HIV-negative (18.2%) women. During follow-up, HPV IR was 31.4 (95% CI: 23.8–41.5) for any HPV and 24.2 (95% CI: 17.9–32.8) for hrHPV types. HPV52 had the highest IR (6.0; 95% CI: 6.5–10.3). Overall HPV and hrHPV prevalence were lower than expected, but both prevalence and incidence were higher in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative women.

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‘Break the Chains 2015’ community-based HIV prevention campaign for men who have sex with men in Switzerland: non-randomised evaluation and cost analysis

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032459 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. e032459

Author(s):

Kathrin Frey ◽

Stéphanie Lociciro ◽

Patricia Blank ◽

Matthias Schwenkglenks ◽

Françoise Dubois-Arber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Cost Analysis ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Community Based ◽

Prevention Campaign ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv Acquisition ◽

Risk Of Hiv Acquisition ◽

Campaign Message

ObjectivesTo study the implementation, effects and costs of Break the Chains, a community-based HIV prevention campaign for men who have sex with men (MSM) in Switzerland, from March to May 2015, which aimed to reduce early HIV transmission by promoting the campaign message to adopt short-term risk reduction followed by HIV testing.DesignNon-randomised evaluation and cost analysis.SettingGay venues in 11 of 26 cantons in Switzerland and national online media campaign.ParticipantsMSM in online surveys (precampaign n=834, postcampaign n=688) or attending HIV testing centres (n=885); campaign managers (n=9); and campaign staff (n=38) or further intermediaries (n=80) in an online survey.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome measure was the proportion of MSM at risk of HIV acquisition or transmission who adhered to the campaign message. Secondary outcomes were postcampaign test uptake, knowledge about HIV primary infection and sense of belonging to the gay community.ResultsCampaign staff estimated that they contacted 17 145 MSM in 11 cantons. Among 688 respondents to the postcampaign survey, 311 (45.2%) were categorised as MSM at risk. Of 402/688 (58.5%) MSM who had heard about Break the Chains 2015, MSM categorised as being at risk were less likely to report adherence to the campaign message than MSM not at risk (adjusted OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.42). Twenty per cent of MSM with a defined risk of HIV acquisition or transmission who adopted risk reduction declared having done so because of the campaign. Costs for one MSM at risk to adhere to the campaign message were estimated at USD purchasing power parity 36–55. The number of HIV tests in the month after the campaign was twice the monthly average.ConclusionBreak the Chains increased HIV testing, implying that community-based campaigns are useful HIV prevention strategies for MSM. Additional interventions are needed to reach MSM at the highest risk of infection more effectively.

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