scholarly journals Implementing Assisted Partner Services to HIV Test and Treat Men and their Female Sexual Partners: A Study Protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Kariithi ◽  
Monisha Sharma ◽  
Emily Kemunto ◽  
Harison Lagat ◽  
George Otieno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Real World ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Male Sexual Partners ◽  
Female Index

BACKGROUND Despite the effective scale-up of HIV testing and treatment programs worldwide, only 75% of persons living with HIV (PLWH) globally know their status, with lower rates among men. This highlights the importance of implementing HIV testing and linkage interventions with high uptake in this population group. In a cluster randomized controlled trial conducted between 2013 and 2015, our team found that assisted partner services (APS) for HIV-exposed partners of newly diagnosed PLWH, safely reached more at-risk individuals to conduct testing compared to client referral alone. However, more data is needed to assess APS implementation in a real-world setting. OBJECTIVE This study evaluates the effectiveness, acceptability, fidelity, and cost of APS when integrated into existing HIV testing services (HTS) in Western Kenya. METHODS In a collaboration between the University of Washington and PATH, we are integrating APS into 31 health facilities in Western Kenya and enrolling female index clients newly diagnosed with HIV who receive APS, their male sexual partners, and female sexual partners of the male sexual partners who test HIV positive. Female index clients and all sexual partners testing HIV-positive will be followed up at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months to assess linkage to care, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, and HIV viral load suppression. We will evaluate acceptability, fidelity and cost of real-world implementation of APS via in-depth interviews conducted with national, county, and sub-county level policymakers responsible for HIV testing services. Facility health staff providing HIV testing services and APS, in addition to staff working with the study project team will also be interviewed. We will also conduct direct observations of facility infrastructure and clinic procedures, and extract data from facility and county/national databases. RESULTS As of March 2020, we have recruited 1724 index clients, 3201 male partners, and 1585 female partners. We have completed all recruitment for this study and have completed all 6-week (99%), 6-month (97%) and 12-month (91%) follow-up visits. Preliminary analyses demonstrate that through scaling-up APS, facilities are able to identify 12-18 new HIV-positive males for every 100 men contacted and tested. We are now in the process of completing the remaining follow-up interviews and building a self-testing component of the study as an adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Results will be used to bridge the gap between clinical research findings and everyday practice, and provide guidance on optimal strategies for APS integration into HIV service delivery. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

scholarly journals PO 8276 COMMUNITY INDEX CASE APPROACH AND HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING (HTC) FOR SEXUAL PARTNERS OF HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS LOST TO FOLLOW-UP: THE EXPERIENCE OF WORLD VISION MOZAMBIQUE

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A26.1-A26
Author(s):  
Miguelhete Lisboa ◽  
Saraiva Culuze ◽  
Saimado Imputiua ◽  
Adolfo Cambule ◽  
Christine Latif
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Index Case ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Hiv Testing And Counseling ◽  
World Vision ◽  
Lost To Follow Up ◽  
Testing And Counseling ◽  
Hiv Aids

BackgroundHIV-positive patients lost to follow-up (HP-LTFU) represent a challenge for HIV/AIDS control efforts as they are associated with higher risk of HIV transmission to their sexual partners, low viral load suppression and higher risk of morbidity and mortality than adherent patients. The SCIP-Ogumaniha programme implemented by World Vision Mozambique, has been utilising the index case approach together with systematic home-based HIV testing and counseling (hHTC) since August 2016 in 7 districts of the Zambezia province. This abstract outlines an evaluation of the contribution of this approach to HIV/AIDS care and treatment (HACT) of sexual partners of HP-LTFU in alignment with the first and second targets of the 90–90–90 UNAIDS strategy.MethodsThe study involved HP-LTFU returned to HACT between October 2016 and September 2017. These patients reported to have sexual partners who had not been tested for HIV and provided informed, written consent for joint hHTC with these individuals. The hHTC package for sexual partners was offered by World Vision project counselors and those who tested HIV-positive were referred to HACT.ResultsOf 7.084 patients who returned to HACT and reported to have an untested sexual partner, 63% (4,471) provided informed, written consent for joint hHTC. Of 4264 sexual partners found and tested, 52% was female, 64% was in the 15–34 age groups, and 88% had never been tested for HIV. About 28% (1.205/4.264) was HIV-positive, 56% of the sexual partners who tested HIV-positive, was female and 98% of these was successfully referred to HACT.ConclusionThe index case approach together with hHTC has contributed to the early diagnosis of 28% of new HIV infections among sexual partners of HP-LTFU and 98% of them ensured timely linkage to the HACT. Therefore, broader promotion and adoption of this approach would make a significant contribution to achievement of the first and second targets of the 90–90–90 UNAIDS strategy.

scholarly journals Where Are the Newly Diagnosed HIV Positives in Kenya? Time to Consider Geo-Spatially Guided Targeting at a Finer Scale to Reach the “First 90”

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Waruru ◽  
Joyce Wamicwe ◽  
Jonathan Mwangi ◽  
Thomas N. O. Achia ◽  
Emily Zielinski-Gutierrez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Scan Statistics ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Aggregated Data ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Facility Level ◽  
Global And Local

Background: The UNAIDS 90-90-90 Fast-Track targets provide a framework for assessing coverage of HIV testing services (HTS) and awareness of HIV status – the “first 90.” In Kenya, the bulk of HIV testing targets are aligned to the five highest HIV-burden counties. However, we do not know if most of the new HIV diagnoses are in these five highest-burden counties or elsewhere.Methods: We analyzed facility-level HTS data in Kenya from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2016 to assess the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed HIV-positives. We used the Moran's Index (Moran's I) to assess global and local spatial auto-correlation of newly diagnosed HIV-positive tests and Kulldorff spatial scan statistics to detect hotspots of newly diagnosed HIV-positive tests. For aggregated data, we used Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-populations non-parametric rank test to compare absolute numbers across classes.Results: Out of 4,021 HTS sites, 3,969 (98.7%) had geocodes available. Most facilities (3,034, 76.4%), were not spatially autocorrelated for the number of newly diagnosed HIV-positives. For the rest, clustering occurred as follows; 438 (11.0%) were HH, 66 (1.7%) HL, 275 (6.9%) LH, and 156 (3.9%) LL. Of the HH sites, 301 (68.7%) were in high HIV-burden counties. Over half of 123 clusters with a significantly high number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons, 73(59.3%) were not in the five highest HIV-burden counties. Clusters with a high number of newly diagnosed persons had twice the number of positives per 1,000,000 tests than clusters with lower numbers (29,856 vs. 14,172).Conclusions: Although high HIV-burden counties contain clusters of sites with a high number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected persons, we detected many such clusters in low-burden counties as well. To expand HTS where most needed and reach the “first 90” targets, geospatial analyses and mapping make it easier to identify and describe localized epidemic patterns in a spatially dispersed epidemic like Kenya's, and consequently, reorient and prioritize HTS strategies.

scholarly journals What is the level of uptake of Partner Notification Services in HIV testing  in Selected Health Facilities in Muranga County – Kenya; a retrospective Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rewel Kariuki ◽  
Gilbert Koome Rithaa ◽  
Oyugi Elvis ◽  
Daniel Gachathi
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Partner Notification ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Case Identification ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background: Identification of people living with HIV is key in HIV prevention and control. Partner Notification service is a World Health Organization backed strategy of reaching out to sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV for HIV testing. However, its adoption and success rate in Kenya remains unknown.Methods: A cross sectional facility based study was undertaken in five purposively selected health facilities in Muranga County, Kenya. A retrospective review of patient medical records data for HIV positive index clients and their Sexual Partners conducted. Census approach applied to extract data for study subjects from Partner Notification Service registers for the period covering January 2017 to August 2018. Epi Info software was used for data analysis.Results: A total of 183 index clients offered Partner notification services. The mean age of the indexed clients studied was 39(SD ±13.1). Females comprised 64 % of clients studied. Of the 183 indexed clients, 89% accepted the services and elicited 216 sexual partners for tracing. The ratio of elicited sexual partners to index client was 1.3:1. Out of the 216 sexual partners, 77% were reached and tested. A total of 46 [32%] of the sexual partners elicited and traced, tested HIV positive. The most preferred approaches were provider referral (51%) and contract referral (45%). Dual referral (4%) was the least preferred approach. Conclusions: Partner notification services is acceptable and an effective strategy of increasing HIV case identification and raising awareness to exposed sexual partners in low resource countries.

scholarly journals Formative research to inform the development of a peer-led HIV self-testing intervention to improve HIV testing uptake and linkage to HIV care among adolescents, young people and adult men in Kasensero fishing community, Rakai, Uganda: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph K. B. Matovu ◽  
Aminah Nambuusi ◽  
Scovia Nakabirye ◽  
Rhoda K. Wanyenze ◽  
David Serwadda
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Fishing Community ◽  
Adult Men ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
Testing Uptake ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Linkage To Hiv Care

Abstract Background Despite efforts to improve HIV testing and linkage to HIV care among adolescents, young people and adult men, uptake rates remain below global targets. We conducted formative research to generate data necessary to inform the design of a peer-led HIV self-testing (HIVST) intervention intended to improve HIV testing uptake and linkage to HIV care in Kasensero fishing community in rural Uganda. Methods This qualitative study was conducted in three study communities in Kasensero fishing community in Rakai district, Uganda, in May 2019. Six single-sex focus group discussions (FGDs) comprising 7–8 participants were conducted with adolescents and young people (15–24 years) and adult men (25+ years). We collected data on people’s perceptions about peer-led HIVST; potential acceptability of a peer-led HIVST intervention and suggestions on how to improve linkage to HIV care after a positive HIVST result. Peer-led HIVST was defined as an approach where trained lay people distribute HIVST kits to other people in the community. FGDs were audio-recorded with permission from the participants, transcribed verbatim and analysed manually following a thematic framework approach. Results Forty-seven participants (31 men and 16 women) participated in the FGDs. Across communities and age-groups, most participants mentioned that peer-led HIVST would be generally acceptable to people in the fishing community but people will need support in performing the test due to fear of performing the test wrongly or failing to cope with HIV-positive results. Most participants felt that peer-led HIVST would bring HIV testing services closer to the community “because [the peer-leader] could be my immediate neighbour”, making it easier for people to obtain the kits at any time of their convenience. To improve linkage to HIV care, participants felt that the use of peer-leaders to deliver the initial ART dose to self-tested HIV-positive individuals would be more preferable to the use of community-based ART groups or home-based ART initiation. Conclusion Our study shows that peer-led HIVST is potentially acceptable in the fishing community. These findings suggest that this approach can improve uptake of HIV testing and linkage to HIV care services among populations that are usually missed through conventional HIV testing services.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Community-Based Hybrid HIV Testing Services Program as a Strategy to Saturate Testing Coverage in Western Kenya

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 362-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Ha M. Truong ◽  
Eliud Akama ◽  
Mary A. Guzé ◽  
Frankline Otieno ◽  
Duncan Obunge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Testing Coverage

Clinical factors associated with syphilis concordance in men in sexual partnerships: a cross-sectional couples study

2017 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 571-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet M Towns ◽  
Sarah Huffam ◽  
Eric P F Chow ◽  
Ian Denham ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Centre ◽  
Secondary Syphilis ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Concordance Rate ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Clinical Factors ◽  
Syphilis Infection ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Early Syphilis ◽  
Male Sexual Partners

BackgroundSyphilis infections continue to increase among men who have sex with men (MSM) in many countries, with rates often higher among HIV-positive MSM. There is limited understanding of the risk and determinants of syphilis transmission between men. We aimed to examine the concordance of early syphilis infection between male sexual partners and clinical factors associated with transmission.MethodsMen attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre with their male partners, where at least one was diagnosed with early syphilis, were identified from linkage of partner records between March 2011 and April 2016. Early latent syphilis was defined as a new asymptomatic syphilis presentation of less than 2 years’ duration. Associations between concordance and potential risk factors were examined using Fisher’s exact test.ResultsAmong 43 couples (86 men) identified, there were 13 couples (26 men) where both were diagnosed with early syphilis, representing a concordance rate of 30.2% (95% CI 17.2% to 46.1%). Among the 13 concordant couples, 5 men had primary syphilis (4 penile, 1 anal), 11 secondary syphilis (8 generalised rash, 3 penile, 2 anal, 1 oral lesion) and 10 early latent infections. Concordance was higher among couples where at least one partner had secondary syphilis compared with couples where neither partner had secondary syphilis (53% (9/17) vs 15% (4/26), P=0.016). Furthermore, concordance was higher among couples where one was HIV positive compared with couples where both were HIV negative (62% (5/8) vs 23% (8/35), P=0.042).ConclusionsThere was an overall concordance rate of 30%. Higher concordance rates for early syphilis infection between male sexual partners were associated with HIV and secondary syphilis.

Treatment patterns among patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes in a real-world setting: Electronic medical record (EMR)-based data.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 247-247
Author(s):  
Bruce Jeffrey Dezube ◽  
Jill Bell ◽  
Aaron Galaznik ◽  
Eileen Farrelly ◽  
Marlo Blazer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Index Date ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Nccn Guidelines ◽  
Real World Setting

247 Background: Treatment decisions in MDS are based on a prognostic scoring system that divides pts into five distinct risk categories (NCCN 2016). Treatment guidelines for HR MDS pts include hypomethylating agents (HMAs) alone (azacitidine & decitabine), high-intensity induction chemotherapy (IC), & stem cell transplant (SCT) alone or after HMAs. Limited information is available on how these recommendations are applied in practice. This study evaluated the real-world treatment of HR MDS pts. Methods: Newly diagnosed HR MDS pts who were ≥18 years old & initiated first-line therapy (1LT) were retrospectively identified from a large United States EMR database between 1/1/2008 & 7/31/2015. As complete cytogenetics were not available in the database, HR was based on: ICD coding: ≥1 inpatient claim with an HR MDS ICD-9/10 code (ICD-9 code: 238.73; ICD-10 codes: D46.20, D46.21, D46.22), or ≥2 outpatient claims with an MDS ICD-9/10 code, or an adapted HR MDS algorithm (NCCN Guidelines in Oncology for MDS v.1.2016; Greenberg, et al. Blood. 2012;120:2454-65; Schanz et al. J Clin Oncol. 2012;30:820-9). The first MDS claim served as the index date. 1LT was defined as an MDS-specific treatment initiated on or after the index date. Pts were followed until death, progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), loss to follow-up, or end of study (9/30/2015). Results: 720 newly diagnosed HR MDS pts were identified; of these, 229 (32%) pts received MDS-specific treatment. Median time to treatment was 22 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 10, 74). HMAs were the most common agents in the 1LT with 60% (n= 138) & 24% (n=54) receiving azacitidine & decitabine, respectively. Lenalidomide was used in 7.4% of pts (n=17), 4.8% received SCT alone (n=11), & 3.9% (n=9) received IC. At median follow-up of 9.4 months (IQR: 4.3, 18.4), 38% (n=86) died & 28% (n=63) progressed to AML. Conclusions: Despite guidelines, most HR MDS pts in a real-world setting were not treated with MDS-specific treatment. Among treated pts, 1LT with HMAs & azacitidine predominated. Subsequent research is needed to understand reasons for lack of treatment.

Hysterectomy utilization among newly diagnosed endometrial cancer patients by body mass index category: A real-world analysis using a claims and electronic health record database.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17112-e17112
Author(s):  
Debra E. Irwin ◽  
Ellen Thiel
Keyword(s):  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Electronic Health Record ◽  
Real World ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Morbidly Obese ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Electronic Health

e17112 Background: For endometrial cancer (EC), laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) is an effective, minimally invasive surgical treatment; however, this approach may not be recommended for obese patients due to increased risk for complications. Methods: This retrospective study utilized insurance claims linked to electronic health record (EHR) data contained in the IBM MarketScan Explorys Claims-EHR Data Set. Newly diagnosed EC patients (1/1/2007 - 6/30/2017) with continuous enrollment during a 12-month baseline and 6-month follow-up period were selected. Patients were stratified into four BMI subgroups based on baseline BMI on the EHR: normal or underweight (BMI < 25), overweight (BMI 25- < 30), obese (BMI 30- < 40), morbidly obese (BMI > 40), and were required to have had a hysterectomy within the follow-up period. Emergency room visits and rehospitalization within 30 days of hysterectomy were measured. Results: A total of 1,090 newly-diagnosed EC patients met the selection criteria, of whom, 16% were normal/underweight, 19% were overweight, 39% were obese, and 26% were morbidly obese. The proportion of patients receiving LH increased as BMI category increased (Table 1). Among those with LH between 6% and 15% had an ER visit or rehospitalization in 30 days, and rates were higher among other hysterectomy modalities. Conclusions: This real-world analysis shows that LH is utilized in a high proportion of morbidly obese EC patients, despite that it is frequently deemed infeasible in this patient population. Although the rate of ER visits and rehospitalization is lower among LH patients than those undergoing traditional hysterectomy across all BMI strata, further research is needed to determine the optimal patient population to receive LH.[Table: see text]

scholarly journals “Wamepotea” (They Have Become Lost): Outcomes of HIV-Positive and HIV-Exposed Children Lost to Follow-Up From a Large HIV Treatment Program in Western Kenya

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. e40-e46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Braitstein ◽  
Julia Songok ◽  
Rachel C Vreeman ◽  
Kara K Wools-Kaloustian ◽  
Pamela Koskei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Program ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Hiv Exposed ◽  
Lost To Follow Up
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document