The use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) can lead to delays and interruptions in the HIV continuum of care. This study explores reasons for TCAM use in people living... Show moreThe use of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) can lead to delays and interruptions in the HIV continuum of care. This study explores reasons for TCAM use in people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Eswatini and compares interrupted care between different types of TCAM users. Data were collected using surveys in the MaxART study (a test-and-treat trial) between 2014 and 2017 to assess the exposure, namely visiting a TCAM provider. Additionally, visit dates were retrieved from clinic records to assess the outcome, interrupted care. Open-ended questions were analysed with qualitative content analysis (n = 602) and closed questions with bivariable and multivariable analysis (n = 202). Out of 202 participants, 145 (72%) never used TCAM, 40 (20%) ever used, and 17 (8%) is currently using TCAM (diviners, herbalists, and religious healers). No differences in interrupted care were found comparing never (reference category), past (Odds Ratio: 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 0.63–2.72), and current users (1.34, 0.47–3.77), while adjusting for gender, time since HIV diagnosis, and time on ART. Contextual factors affecting the choice for TCAM were the influence of family, advice from the health facility, and religious beliefs. Individual factors include trust in biomedical care, type of illness, no need for additional care, and practical reasons such as financial means. In conclusion, individual and contextual factors influence the choice for TCAM. Interrupted care does not differ between never, past, and current users. Show less
Olislagers, Q.; Leth, F. van; Shabalala, F.; Dlamini, N.; Simelane, N.; Masilela, N.; ... ; Molemans, M. 2022
Eswatini has a high HIV prevalence but has made progress towards improving HIV-status awareness, ART uptake and viral suppression. However, there is still a delay in ART initiation, which could... Show moreEswatini has a high HIV prevalence but has made progress towards improving HIV-status awareness, ART uptake and viral suppression. However, there is still a delay in ART initiation, which could partly be attributed to positive HIV-retesting. This study examines reasons for, and factors associated with, positive HIV-retesting among MaxART participants in Eswatini. Data from 601 participants is included in this cross-sectional study. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used. Of the participants, 32.8% has ever retested after a previous positive result. Most participants who retested did this because they could not accept their results (61.9% of all retesters). Other main reasons are related to external influences, gender or the progression of their HIV infection (respectively 18.3%, 10.2%, and 6.1% of all retesters). Participants without a current partner and participants with less time since their first positive test have lower odds of retesting. To decrease retesting and reduce the delay in ART initiation resulting from it, efforts could be made on increasing the acceptance of positive HIV results. Providing more information on the process of testing and importance of early ART initiation, could be part of the solution. Show less
Khan, S.; Spiegelman, D.; Walsh, F.; Mazibuko, S.; Pasipamire, M.; Chai, B.Y.; ... ; Okello, V. 2020
Introduction The WHO recommends antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-positive patients regardless of CD4 count or disease stage, referred to as "Early Access to ART for All" (EAAA). The... Show moreIntroduction The WHO recommends antiretroviral treatment (ART) for all HIV-positive patients regardless of CD4 count or disease stage, referred to as "Early Access to ART for All" (EAAA). The health systems effects of EAAA implementation are unknown. This trial was implemented in a government-managed public health system with the aim to examine the "real world" impact of EAAA on care retention and viral suppression. Methods In this stepped-wedge randomized controlled trial, 14 public sector health facilities in Eswatini were paired and randomly assigned to stepwise transition from standard of care (SoC) to EAAA. ART-naive participants >= 18 years who were not pregnant or breastfeeding were eligible for enrolment. We used Cox proportional hazard models with censoring at clinic transition to estimate the effects of EAAA on retention in care and retention and viral suppression combined. Results Between September 2014 and August 2017, 3405 participants were enrolled. In SoC and EAAA respectively, 12-month HIV care retention rates were 80% (95% CI: 77 to 83) and 86% (95% CI: 83 to 88). The 12-month combined retention and viral suppression endpoint rates were 44% (95% CI: 40 to 48) under SoC compared to 80% (95% CI: 77 to 83) under EAAA. EAAA increased both retention (HR: 1 center dot 60, 95% CI: 1 center dot 15 to 2 center dot 21,p = 0.005) and retention and viral suppression combined (HR: 4.88, 95% CI: 2.96 to 8.05,p < 0.001). We also identified significant gaps in current health systems ability to provide viral load (VL) monitoring with 80% participants in SoC and 66% in EAAA having a missing VL at last contact. Conclusions The observed improvement in retention in care and on the combined retention and viral suppression provides an important co-benefit of EAAA to HIV-positive adults themselves, at least in the short term. Our results from this "real world" health systems trial strongly support EAAA for Eswatini and countries with similar HIV epidemics and health systems. VL monitoring needs to be scaled up for appropriate care management. Show less
Walsh, F.; Khan, S.; Barnighausen, T.; Hettema, A.; Lejeune, C.; Mazibuko, S.; ... ; Spiegelman, D. 2020
Purpose of Review The MaxART Consortium-led by the Eswatini Ministry of Health-implemented multiple interventions between 2012 and 2017 to achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. We summarize key findings... Show morePurpose of Review The MaxART Consortium-led by the Eswatini Ministry of Health-implemented multiple interventions between 2012 and 2017 to achieve UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. We summarize key findings from community outreach strategies in support of the first 90 goal, and from the Early Access to ART for All (EAAA) trial on the implementation of a "Treat All" strategy to achieve the second and third 90 goals within a government-managed public health system. Recent Findings The MaxART Consortium demonstrated that "Fast Track," a problem-solving approach, was effective at increasing testing coverage in the community. Compared with baseline data at 3 months prior to the start of the Fast Track, there was a 273% proportional increase in HIV tests conducted among adolescent males, adolescent females, and adult men, and 722% over baseline for adolescent males. The MaxART EAAA trial further showed that implementation of the Treat All policy was associated with significant two-fold shorter time from enrollment into care to ART initiation than under the standard CD4+ cell threshold-based treatment guidelines. Finally, through the MaxART trial, Eswatini was able to identify areas for further investment, including addressing the system-side barriers to routine viral load monitoring, and designing and implementing innovative community-based approaches to reach individuals who were not more routinely accessing HIV testing and counseling services. As low- and middle-income countries adopt the Treat All approach in their national HIV care and treatment guidelines, further implementation science research is needed to understand and address the system-level barriers to achieving the benefits of Treat All for HIV-infected individuals and those at risk. Show less
Chao, A.; Spiegelman, D.; Khan, S.; Walsh, F.; Mazibuko, S.; Pasipamire, M.; ... ; Okello, V. 2020
Objectives Current WHO guidelines recommend the treatment of all HIV-infected individuals with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve survival and quality of life, and decrease infection of others... Show moreObjectives Current WHO guidelines recommend the treatment of all HIV-infected individuals with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to improve survival and quality of life, and decrease infection of others. MaxART is the first implementation trial of this strategy embedded within a government-managed health system, and assesses mortality as a secondary outcome. Because primary findings strongly supported scale-up of the 'treat all' strategy (hereafter Treat All), this analysis examines mortality as an additional indicator of its impact.Methods MaxART was conducted in 14 Eswatinian health clinics through a clinic-based stepped-wedge design, by transitioning clinics from then-national standard of care (SoC) to the Treat All intervention. All-cause, disease-related, and HIV-related mortality were analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model, censoring SoC participants at clinic transition. Median follow-up time among study participants was 292 days. There were 36/2034 deaths in SoC (1.77%) and 49/1371 deaths in Treat All (3.57%).Results Between September 2014 and August 2017, 3405 participants were enrolled. In SoC and Treat All interventions, respectively, the multivariable-adjusted 12-month all-cause mortality rates were 1.42% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.66-2.17] and 1.60% (95% CI: 0.78-2.40), disease-related mortality rates were 1.02% (95% CI: 0.40-1.64) and 1.10% (95% CI: 0.46-1.73), and HIV-related mortality rates were 1.03% (95% CI: 0.40-1.65) and 0.99% (95% CI: 0.40-1.58). Treat All had no impact on all-cause [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.12, 95% CI: 0.58-2.18, P = 0.73], disease-related (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.52-2.11, P = 0.90), or HIV-related mortality (HR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.46-1.87, P = 0.83).Conclusion There was no immediate benefit of the Treat All strategy on mortality, nor evidence of harm. Longer follow-up of participants is needed to establish long-term consequences. Show less
