Antiretroviral therapy for the prevention of HIV transmission: what will it take?

The evidence in support of use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission is encouraging and has stimulated optimism for achieving a dramatic change in the trajectory of the HIV epidemic. Yet, there are substantial challenges that, if not addressed, could be the Achilles' heel for this concept. These challenges require strengthening every step of the HIV care continuum, including expansion of HIV testing to reach all those with HIV infection, effective linkage to and retention in care, timely initiation of ART, and high levels of treatment adherence with viral load suppression. Also important is the identification of individuals with acute HIV infection whose contribution to HIV transmission may be substantial. Implementation research is needed to identify strategies that address these challenges and to determine the efficacy of ART for prevention in key populations as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of combination strategies for HIV prevention at the population level.

A paradigm shift: focus on the HIV prevention continuum.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention continuum is a framework that illustrates the interconnectedness of each step in the spectrum of prevention services, while emphasizing that all steps are needed to decrease HIV acquisition and transmission. This continuum, similar to the HIV care continuum, begins with HIV testing followed by linkage of HIV-uninfected persons to prevention services, retention in such services, and adherence to prevention interventions with repeated HIV testing to monitor for HIV acquisition. To advance the global goal of zero new HIV infections, individuals must receive the entire continuum of prevention services, and no partial credit can be given to achievement of one step in isolation of all steps in the continuum.

Hypertension continuum of care: Blood pressure screening, diagnosis, treatment, and control in a population-based cohort in Haiti.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death in low-income countries including Haiti, with hypertension (HTN) being the leading risk factor. This study aims to identify gaps in the HTN continuum of screening, diagnosis, treatment, and blood pressure (BP) control. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected from a population-based sample of adults ≥18 years in Port-au-Prince (PAP) from March 2019 to April 2021. HTN was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg, diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, or use of antihypertensive medication. Screening was defined as ever having had a BP measurement; diagnosis as previously being informed of a HTN diagnosis; treatment as having taken antihypertensives in the past 2 weeks; and controlled as taking antihypertensives and having BP < 140/90 mmHg. Factors associated with attaining each step in the continuum were assessed using Poisson multivariable regressions. Among 2737 participants, 810 (29% age-standardized) had HTN, of whom 97% had been screened, 72% diagnosed, 45% treated, and 13% controlled. There were no significant differences across age groups or sex. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30) was a significant factor associated with receiving treatment compared to normal weight (BMI < 25), with a prevalence ratio (PR) of 1.5 (95% CI 1.1-2.0). Having secondary or higher education was associated with higher likelihood of controlled BP (PR 1.9 [95% CI 1.1-3.3]). In this urban Haitian population, the greatest gaps in HTN care are treatment and control. Targeted interventions are needed to improve these steps, including broader access to affordable treatment, timely distribution of medications, and patient adherence to HTN medication.

Youth-friendly services and differentiated models of care are needed to improve outcomes for young people living with HIV.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Outcomes among young people living with HIV (YPLWH) remain disturbingly poor. We summarize recent research on youth-friendly services (YFS) and adolescent-specific differentiated care models, which may improve outcomes across the HIV care continuum for this vulnerable population. We further emphasize unique complexities that characterize the transition from childhood through adolescence to adulthood which must be considered when caring for YPLWH. RECENT FINDINGS: Studies suggest that YFS may improve outcomes in some but not all steps of the HIV care continuum. However, generalizability is compromised by the limited numbers of studies, frequent use of nonequivalent comparison groups, small sample sizes and/or short follow-up. Reproducibility and scale-up are further hindered by lack of insufficient details on operational aspects of YFS, an effective minimum package of YFS and contextual factors that may facilitate adoption of YFS. Differentiated models of care for YPLWH are in very early stages of development with positive preliminary outcomes, but most pilot models focus only on stable patients on antiretroviral therapy. SUMMARY: YFS and adolescent-specific differentiated models of care are needed to improve health outcomes among YPLWH, but scale-up should be guided by rigorous research and address the unique complexities that characterize the vulnerable period of adolescence.

Enrollment in HIV Care Two Years after HIV Diagnosis in the Kingdom of Swaziland: An Evaluation of a National Program of New Linkage Procedures.

To improve early enrollment in HIV care, the Swaziland Ministry of Health implemented new linkage procedures for persons HIV diagnosed during the Soka Uncobe male circumcision campaign (SOKA, 2011-2012) and the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS, 2011). Abstraction of clinical records and telephone interviews of a retrospective cohort of HIV-diagnosed SOKA and SHIMS clients were conducted in 2013-2014 to evaluate compliance with new linkage procedures and enrollment in HIV care at 92 facilities throughout Swaziland. Of 1,105 clients evaluated, within 3, 12, and 24 months of diagnosis, an estimated 14.0%, 24.3%, and 37.0% enrolled in HIV care, respectively, after adjusting for lost to follow-up and non-response. Kaplan-Meier functions indicated lower enrollment probability among clients 14-24 (P = 0.0001) and 25-29 (P = 0.001) years of age compared with clients >35 years of age. At 69 facilities to which clients were referred for HIV care, compliance with new linkage procedures was low: referral forms were located for less than half (46.8%) of the clients, and few (9.6%) were recorded in the appointment register or called either before (0.3%) or after (4.9%) their appointment. Of over one thousand clients newly HIV diagnosed in Swaziland in 2011 and 2012, few received linkage services in accordance with national procedures and most had not enrolled in HIV care two years after their diagnosis. Our findings are a call to action to improve linkage services and early enrollment in HIV care in Swaziland.

Mother and child both matter: reconceptualizing the prevention of mother-to-child transmission care continuum.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To propose a prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) care continuum that defines the programmatic steps necessary to provide HIV care to the HIV-infected pregnant woman and her infant during the risk period for HIV transmission. RECENT FINDINGS: There are several complexities of PMTCT care that should be considered in the care continuum, including the evolution in the population of women entering PMTCT care, various models of PMTCT service delivery and patterns of PMTCT care, and the critical step of transfer of women's HIV care from PMTCT programs to adult HIV clinics. SUMMARY: We propose a reconceptualized PMTCT care continuum that accounts for the complexities of PMTCT care. We also propose a combined outcome for pregnant women and their infants across an interlinked PMTCT continuum to measure both maternal and child health outcomes.

Antiretroviral therapy for prevention of HIV transmission: potential role for people who inject drugs in Central Asia.

Interest in the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention stems from mounting evidence from research studies demonstrating that ART is associated with a decrease in sexual HIV transmission among serodiscordant couples and, perhaps, in other populations at risk. There is paucity of data on the efficacy of ART for prevention in key populations, including persons who inject drugs (PWID). In this paper, we examine the current status of HIV services for PWID in Central Asia, the use of ART by this population and explore ART for prevention for PWID in this context. We also discuss research and implementation questions with relevance to such a strategy in the region.

Leveraging progress in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for improved maternal, neonatal, and child health services.

Finding ways to leverage the substantial investment in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV to address other maternal, neonatal, and child health threats is a priority. With increased emphasis on health systems strengthening and the integration of disease-specific initiatives within primary care, we propose three areas for consideration: 1) increased integration of service delivery; 2) adaptation of successful implementation models; and 3) a reconceptualization of the care continuums for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission and maternal, neonatal, and child health.