Association between sexual violence and depression is mediated by perceived social support among female university students in the kingdom of Eswatini.

BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence is a tool that primarily functions to maintain gendered power hierarchies. Manifestations of gender-based violence, sexual assault and street harassment have been shown to have significant effects on mental wellbeing in the global North, however there is little research centering the experiences and consequences of gendered harassment in the Africa region. METHODS: We analyzed a cross-sectional random sample of 372 women attending a major university in Eswatini in 2017 to measure the prevalence of street harassment among female university students and assess the relationship between experiences of sexual assault, sexualized street harassment, and mental health outcomes in this population. RESULTS: We found that in the previous 12 months, women reported experiencing high levels of sexual assault (20%), street harassment (90%), and depression (38%). Lifetime sexual assault, past 12 months sexual assault, and street harassment were all significantly associated with symptoms of depression. We created a structural model to test hypothesized causal pathways between street harassment, previous experiences of sexual assault, and symptoms of depression, with social support as a potential mediator. We found that a history of sexual violence significantly mediated the association between street harassment and depression, and that social support mediated a large proportion of the association between both forms of gender-based violence and depression. CONCLUSION: Sexualized street harassment is associated with increased depressive symptomology for nearly all women, however the effects are especially pronounced for women who have previous experiences of sexual violence. Sexualized street harassment functions as a tool to maintain gendered power hierarchies by reminding women of ongoing threat of sexual violence even in public spaces. Social support and solidarity among women is a potentially important source of resiliency against the physical and mental harms of all forms of gender based violence.

Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in Eswatini: a population-based study in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Although monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma disproportionately affect Black individuals, few epidemiological studies have been conducted on these plasma cell disorders in Africa. Here we describe the prevalence of MGUS in Eswatini and compare our results to the landmark Olmsted County, Minnesota study. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2017, 13 339 residents of Eswatini participated in the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey, from which a nationally representative biorepository was created. Plasma samples were then randomly selected and analyzed for MGUS. MGUS prevalence in Eswatini was compared with that of Olmsted County. In addition, demographic and HIV-related associations with MGUS were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 515 samples randomly selected, the median age was 50 years (range = 35-80 years); 60% were female; and 38.6% were HIV positive, of whom 82.4% were on antiretroviral therapy. We found that 68 participants had evidence of MGUS, for a prevalence of 13.2%. HIV status was not significantly associated with MGUS (odds ratio = 1.05, 95% confidence interval = 0.62 to 1.77), but among HIV-positive individuals, MGUS was less frequent for patients on antiretroviral therapy (adjusted odds ratio = 0.31, 95% confidence interval = 0.11 to 0.82). The prevalence of conventional MGUS was similar between Eswatini and Olmsted County (3.4% vs 3.2%-3.4%), whereas the incidence of light-chain MGUS was significantly greater in Eswatini (12.3% vs 0.8%). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the incidence of MGUS is similar between ethnicities and raises the question of whether the current definition of light-chain MGUS reliably reflects a true monoclonal protein precursor state. Perhaps the current definition of light-chain MGUS may be capturing alternate etiologies, such as untreated HIV infection.

Timing of sexual debut and associated sociodemographic and HIV risk factors among young people in Eswatini.

Young people in sub-Saharan Africa and specifically in Eswatini (previously Swaziland), continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV despite having equitable access to antiretroviral treatment. Early sexual debut is one of the many factors linked to HIV infection that is discussed in the context of general public health. Monitoring this behavior is essential for developing preventative, evidence-based interventions. This study aims to describe the early and/or typical sexual debut among young people in Eswatini and examines sociodemographic and HIV risk factors associated with early and typical sexual debut timing. We analyzed cross-sectional secondary data from the 2016/17 Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS), which had a representative sample of 2,383 young people aged 18-24. Respondents were selected using a two-stage stratified probability sampling design. We applied descriptive statistics and multivariable multinomial logistic regressions to examine the data. Out of the 2,383 respondents, 71.3% had sexual experience, with 4.1% and 26.5% reporting early sexual debut (<15 years) and typical sexual debut (<18 years), respectively. Our study found that age, sex, education, marital status, wealth, sexual partners in the past 12 months, and alcohol use were significantly associated with early and/or typical sexual debut. It is crucial to consider the sociodemographic factors and HIV risk factors of young people when designing programs and interventions aimed at preventing early sexual debut or transition. This approach is necessary to promote better sexual and reproductive health in alignment with sustainable development goals.

The introduction of video-enabled directly observed therapy (video-DOT) for patients with drug-resistant TB disease in Eswatini amid the COVID-19 pandemic - a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Video-enabled directly observed therapy (video-DOT) has been proposed as an additional option for treatment provision besides in-person DOT for patients with drug-resistant TB (DRTB) disease. However, evidence and implementation experience mainly originate from well-resourced contexts. This study describes the operationalization of video-DOT in a low-resourced setting in Eswatini facing a high burden of HIV and TB amid the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a retrospectively established cohort of patients receiving DRTB treatment during the implementation of video-DOT in Shiselweni from May 2020 to March 2022. We described intervention uptake (vs. in-person DOT) and assessed unfavorable DRTB treatment outcome (death, loss to care) using Kaplan-Meier statistics and multivariable Cox-regression models. Video-related statistics were described with frequencies and medians. We calculated the fraction of expected doses observed (FEDO) under video-DOT and assessed associations with missed video uploads using multivariable Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 71 DRTB patients eligible for video-DOT, the median age was 39 (IQR 30-54) years, 31.0% (n = 22) were women, 67.1% (n = 47/70) were HIV-positive, and 42.3% (n = 30) were already receiving DRTB treatment when video-DOT became available. About half of the patients (n = 37; 52.1%) chose video-DOT, mostly during the time when COVID-19 appeared in Eswatini. Video-DOT initiations were lower in new DRTB patients (aHR 0.24, 95% CI 0.12-0.48) and those aged ≥ 60 years (aHR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08-0.89). Overall, 20,634 videos were uploaded with a median number of 553 (IQR 309-748) videos per patient and a median FEDO of 92% (IQR 84-97%). Patients aged ≥ 60 years were less likely to miss video uploads (aIRR 0.07, 95% CI 0.01-0.51). The cumulative Kaplan-Meier estimate of an unfavorable treatment outcome among all patients was 0.08 (95% CI 0.03-0.19), with no differences detected by DOT approach and other baseline factors in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing video-DOT for monitoring of DRTB care provision amid the intersection of the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics seemed feasible. Digital health technologies provide additional options for patients to choose their preferred way to support treatment taking, thus possibly increasing patient-centered health care while sustaining favorable treatment outcomes.

Voluntary medical male circumcision and educational gradient in relation to HIV infection among sexually active adult men in Eswatini: evidence from the national surveys in 2006-2007 and 2016.

BACKGROUND: To address knowledge gaps, this study examined social determinants, such as education attainment and HIV prevention, among sexually active men (SAM), with a focus on voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). METHODS: Two nationally representative surveys, the Eswatini Demographic and Health Survey 2006 and the Eswatini HIV Incidence Measurement Survey 2016, were used to estimate whether or not VMMC at the individual and community levels contributes to HIV disparities to any meaningful extent. Multilevel logistic regression models further explored the educational gradient in HIV infection for 2006-2007 and 2016 with regard to VMMC among SAM, while adjusting for household poverty, sexual practices and individual characteristics. RESULTS: Among SAM with tertiary education, HIV prevalence declined from 25.0% in 2006-2007 to 10.5% in 2016. A 51% decrease in HIV prevalence was found to be associated with an increase in VMMC (adjusted odds ratio 0.49; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.60). Compared with SAM with tertiary education, those who had a lower level of education were more likely to have HIV infection and this education gradient effect had become particularly profound in 2016. CONCLUSIONS: VMMC began to be promoted in 2008 in Eswatini and results suggest its effect, along with the education attainment effect, significantly resulted in a meaningful reduction in HIV prevalence among SAM by 2016.

Associations between forced non-consensual first-sex and HIV among sexually active women in the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Studies continue to underscore the profound impact of sexual violence on women's health. Yet, little is known about the impact, via a complex matrix of behavioural and social factors, of first intercourse, namely forced non-consensual on HIV status, particularly among sexually active women (SAW) in low-income countries where HIV prevalence remains high. Using a national sample from Eswatini, we employed multivariate logistic regression modelling to estimate the associations between forced first-sex (FFS), subsequent sexual behaviour and HIV status among 3555 SAW aged from 15 years to 49 years. The results found that women who experienced FFS had a greater number of sexual partners compared to those who had never experienced FFS (aOR = 2.79, p < .01), although there were no significant differences in condom use, early sexual debut and casual sex involvement between these two groups. FFS remained significantly associated with a higher risk of having HIV (aOR = 1.70, p < .05) even after controlling for risky sexual behaviours and various other factors. These findings further reinforce the relationship between FFS and HIV, and suggest that addressing sexual violence is a critical component of HIV prevention among women in low-income countries.

Prevalence and determinants of inconsistent condom use among unmarried sexually active youth. a secondary analysis of the 2016-2017 Eswatini HIV incidence measurement survey.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, youth continue to have a high burden of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies that could be reduced through improved condom use. We aimed to investigate inconsistent condom use with the three most recent sexual partners among unmarried sexually active youth in Eswatini. Methods: Data were analysed for 1,324 youth from the 2016-2017 Swaziland HIV incidence measurement survey (SHIMS2) using multivariable logistic regression method. Results: The prevalence of inconsistent condom use among youth was 56.8% in 2017. Higher odds of inconsistent condom use were observed among youth aged 20-24, residents in the Lubombo region, those aged less than 18 years at sexual debut and those who had two or more sexual partners in the last 12 months before the survey. Lower odds of inconsistent condom use were observed among males, and those that knew their partners reported HIV status to be negative. Conclusion: Our findings highlight a notable prevalence of inconsistent condom use among youth in Eswatini. Programs that aim to reduce the incidence of HIV infections and STIs among youth in Eswatini should focus on these factors associated with inconsistent condom use.

Assessing changes in adolescent girls' and young women's sexual and reproductive health service utilisation following a COVID-19 lockdown in eSwatini.

The effects of COVID-19-associated restrictions on youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care during the pandemic remain unclear, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses interrupted time series analyses to assess changes in SRH care utilisation (including visits for HIV testing and treatment, family planning, and antenatal care) adolescent girls' and young women's (AGYW; aged 15-24 years old) in eSwatini following COVID-19 lockdown beginning in March 2020. SRH utilisation data from 32 clinics in the Manzini region that remained open throughout the 2020 COVID-19 period were extracted from eSwatini's electronic health record system. We tabulated and graphed monthly visits (both overall and by visit type) by AGYW during the two-year period between January 2019 and December 2020. Despite the March to September 2020 lockdown, we did not detect significant changes in monthly visit trends from 2019 to 2020. Our findings suggest little change to AGYW's SRH utilisation in eSwatini during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown period.

Knowledge, attitudes and acceptance of voluntary medical male circumcision among males attending high school in Shiselweni region, Eswatini: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In countries such as Eswatini, where there is a high HIV prevalence and low male circumcision the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS recommend infant and adult circumcision be implemented. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and acceptability of voluntary medical male circumcision amongst males attending high school in Eswatini. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted during February and March of 2018 amongst 407 young males (15-21 years) attending Form 4, in nine high schools in the Shiselweni region of Eswatini using a self-administered questionnaire of 42 close ended questions. Sociodemographic details, circumcision status, acceptance of voluntary medical male circumcision, knowledge and attitude scores analysed in Stata® 14 statistical software were described using frequencies, medians and ranges respectively. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression was used to assess the impact of independent variables on circumcision status and acceptance of voluntary medical male circumcision. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Amongst the 407 high school-going males, 48.98% (n = 201) reported being circumcised. The majority of the adolescents (75.74%; n = 306) were knowledgeable about voluntary medical male circumcision. However, an even larger majority (84.90% (n = 343) had a negative attitude towards it. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, having parented their own children (aOR: 3.55; 95%CI: 1.2-10.48), and having circumcised friends (aOR: 3.99; 95%CI: 1.81-8.84) were significantly associated with being circumcised. Neither knowledge nor attitude were associated with the acceptability of voluntary medical male circumcision. CONCLUSION: In Eswatini male high school students are knowledgeable about voluntary medical male circumcision but have a negative attitude towards it. Having parented their own children, and having circumcised friends influenced being circumcised.

Reasons for, and factors associated with, positive HIV retesting: a cross-sectional study in Eswatini.

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 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.

Gender, working status, and access to HIV care among people who are HIV positive in Eswatini.

This study investigated the relationship between gender, working status, and access to HIV care and explored whether working status mediates the relationship between gender and access to HIV care. Nationally representative data from the 2016 Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey used. Sample comprised of 2,826 adults positive for HIV. Both 30-day and 1-year employment records were used to define working status. Access to HIV care was defined using data on both HIV viral load suppression and current antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrollment. People who worked in the past 12 months had a significantly lower likelihood of current ART enrollment (odds ratio [OR] 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-0.91) and viral load suppression (OR 0.78; 95% CI: 0.67-0.92). Working in the past 30 days was also significantly associated with current ART enrollment (OR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.59-0.85) and viral load suppression (OR 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66-0.93). The negative influence of working status on access to HIV care (current ART enrollment and viral load suppression) was stronger in men than in women. Working status partially explained the relationship between gender (male) and access to HIV care. Time constraints are a likely explanation for this.

Prevalence and factors associated with intergenerational sexual partnerships among undergraduate health science students in Eswatini.

Background: Intergenerational sexual partnerships (IGSPs) put young people at an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS. However, their burden and predictors remain poorly understood. Objective: To describe the prevalence and factors associated with IGSPs among undergraduate health science students at a selected tertiary institution in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Methods: Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 148 conveniently sampled undergraduate health science students at the University of Eswatini. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of IGSPs (i.e. a 10-year or greater age disparity between heterosexual partners). Results: There was equal participation of males and females in this study (50%, n=74). The prevalence of IGSPs among the sample was 31.8% (n=47). Females (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.03-0.24) and those who received money from sexual partners (AOR = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.01-0.62) had lower odds of being in IGSPs. Conclusion: Being female and being a recipient of money from a sexual partner were negatively associated with IGSPs. The relatively high prevalene of IGSPs calls for health education campaigns targeting university students on the negative consequences associated with IGSPs, especially among young women.

Prevalence of HIV testing and associated factors among young adolescents in Eswatini: a secondary data analysis.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing is a crucial starting point for prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of HIV. Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest global HIV/AIDS prevalence and mortality, yet HIV testing remains sub-optimal. Thus, this study aimed to identify the prevalence of HIV testing and associated factors among young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years in Eswatini, a country with the highest HIV prevalence in the world. METHODS: Data were obtained from Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey between 2016 and 2017 (SHIMS 2), an internationally supported national survey aimed at combating HIV/AIDS. A total of 739 young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years were selected for the final analysis after deleting cases with missing values for the key variables. The effects of demographic characteristics, HIV knowledge, HIV risk perception, belief about HIV testing, perceived service accessibility, and parent-child sexual and reproductive health communication on lifetime HIV testing as an outcome variable, were explored using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 52.0% of young adolescents reported "ever tested" for HIV in their lifetime. Age (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73-0.90), residence (OR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.43-0.74), and perceived service accessibility (OR = 3.10, (95% CI = 1.47-6.56) were identified as important factors associated with receiving HIV testing among young adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: A low rate of HIV testing was identified among young adolescents in Eswatini compared to the intended global goal of HIV testing coverage. Our findings suggested the importance of young adolescent-friendly educational and environmental interventions needed to improve the prevalence of HIV testing by reducing misperceptions about the risk of HIV and alleviating environmental constraints to access to HIV services.

Epidemiology and Control of diabetes - tuberculosis comorbidity in Eswatini: protocol for the prospective study of tuberculosis patients on predictive factors, treatment outcomes and patient management practices.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies indicate people with diabetes mellitus (DM) may have varying treatment outcomes when receiving treatment for tuberculosis (TB) and that TB infection or its treatment may predispose them to develop an abnormal blood glucose or type 2 DM. This has implications for Eswatini which is a high TB burden country and with increasing cases of non-communicable diseases including DM. This study will describe the epidemiology of DM-TB comorbidity in a prospective cohort of patients receiving TB treatment and identify best practices for integration of care for non-communicable diseases into TB services in Eswatini. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study will employ a mixed-methods approach. Data from a prospective cohort of newly enrolled patients with TB at 12 health facilities from 1 June 2022 to 30 September 2022, and followed up to 30 April 2023, will be used. For the qualitative, key informants who provide TB services at the health facilities will be interviewed. Quantitative data from patients will be analysed descriptively and by tests of association and multivariate modelling. Key informant interviews from healthcare workers will be analysed using content analysis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This research has been approved by the Eswatini Health and Human Research Review Board and participant confidentiality will be maintained. COVID-19 safety measures to reduce the risk of infection or transmission by researchers and participants have been instituted. Key programmatic findings and how they can impact healthcare delivery and access will be presented to the specific programme in the Eswatini Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders.

Prevalence and associated risk factors for anaemia amongst pregnant women attending three antenatal clinics in Eswatini.

BACKGROUND:  Anaemia is a global health problem affecting about a third of the world's population. In pregnancy, it is a public health concern with consequences for mothers and infants, including maternal death and infant mortality. In low-income countries (LICs), 25% indirect maternal mortality and 30% neonatal deaths are due to anaemia in pregnancy. AIM:  This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risks associated with anaemia amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinic (ANC) in three health facilities in Eswatini. SETTING:  This study was conducted in three health facilities in Eswatini, namely Mankayane, Raleigh Fitkin Memorial (RFM) and Mbabane Hospital. METHODS:  This cross-sectional study used non-probability sampling in three hospitals of Eswatini, to select 550 pregnant women, aged 15-49 years. Data were collected from January to March 2021, using face-to-face interviews with a structured questionnaire. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS:  A total of 550 pregnant women were included in the study. Anaemia prevalence amongst pregnant women was 43.1% with mild, moderate and severe cases of 21.3%; 21.1% and 0.7%, respectively. Prevalence was high amongst women aged 15-19 years (53.3%). Factors associated with anaemia included living in urban areas (odds ratio [OR]: 1.8; confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.72), having anaemia 6 months before pregnancy (OR: 4.64; CI: 1.15-18.71), and gestational age at first ANC: third trimester (OR = 10.42; CI: 4.27-25.4) and second trimester (OR: 1.62; CI: 1.02-2.60). CONCLUSION:  Anaemia remains prevalent amongst pregnant women in Eswatini. A comprehensive anaemia prevention programme would be justified and could lower the country's burden of anaemia.

PrEP uptake and delivery setting preferences among clients visiting six healthcare facilities in Eswatini.

Due to the high HIV incidence among the general population of Eswatini, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-exposed individuals is recommended. However, little is known about PrEP uptake and preferences in PrEP delivery healthcare setting among the general population. We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized trial that aimed to increase PrEP uptake. All clients eligible for PrEP in one of six public-sector healthcare facilities in Eswatini were included. PrEP uptake was stratified by initial reason for visit (e.g. outpatient). Preferences in PrEP delivery setting were collected among those clients who initiated PrEP. A total of 1782 clients had their HIV acquisition risk assessed. Of these, 72% (1277/1782) were considered at risk by healthcare providers and, among them, 40% (517/1277) initiated PrEP. Uptake was higher among clients visiting specifically to initiate PrEP (93%), followed by HIV testing visits (45.8%) and outpatient visits (40%). Among those who initiated PrEP, preferred delivery settings were outpatient services (31%), HIV testing services (26%), family planning (21%) and antenatal services (14%). Men or those at high risk of HIV acquisition were more likely to prefer HIV testing and outpatient services, while young women were more likely to visit and express a preference for antenatal and family planning services. Outpatient services and HIV testing services could be preferable choices for PrEP delivery integration, due to the high PrEP uptake and delivery setting preferences of the populations who use these services. Antenatal and family planning could also be considered with a view to targeting the youngest women.

RESUMEN: Debido a la alta incidencia del VIH entre la población general de Eswatini, se recomienda la profilaxis previa a la exposición (PrEP) para las personas expuestas al VIH. Sin embargo, se sabe poco sobre la aceptación de la PrEP y las preferencias en el ámbito de la atención sanitaria de la PrEP entre la población general. Se realizó un análisis secundario de un ensayo clínico que pretendía aumentar la aceptación de la PrEP. Se incluyó a todos los clientes elegibles para la PrEP en uno de los seis centros sanitarios del sector público de Eswatini. La aceptación de la PrEP se estratificó según el motivo inicial de la visita (por ejemplo, paciente externo). Se recogieron las preferencias en el entorno de administración de la PrEP entre aquellos clientes que iniciaron la PrEP. Se evaluó el riesgo de adquisición del VIH de un total de 1.782 clientes (de 2.238 contactados, el 80%). De ellos, el 72% (1277/1782) fueron considerados de riesgo por los profesionales sanitarios y, entre ellos, el 40% (517/1277) iniciaron la PrEP. El consumo fue mayor entre los clientes que acudieron específicamente para iniciar la PrEP (93%), seguido de las visitas para realizar la prueba del VIH (45,8%) y las visitas ambulatorias (40%). Entre los que iniciaron la PrEP, los entornos de prestación preferidos fueron los servicios ambulatorios (31%), los servicios de pruebas del VIH (26%), la planificación familiar (21%) y los servicios prenatales (14%). Los hombres o las personas con alto riesgo de contraer el VIH tenían más probabilidades de preferir las pruebas del VIH y los servicios ambulatorios, mientras que las mujeres jóvenes tenían más probabilidades de acudir a los servicios prenatales y de planificación familiar y expresar su preferencia por ellos. Los servicios ambulatorios y los servicios de pruebas del VIH podrían ser opciones preferibles para la integración de la entrega de la PrEP, debido a la alta aceptación de la PrEP y a las preferencias del entorno de entrega de las poblaciones que utilizan estos servicios. Los servicios prenatales y de planificación familiar también podrían considerarse con vistas a dirigirse a las mujeres más jóvenes.

Factors associated with HIV testing among youth in a generalised hyperendemic setting: findings from a national survey in Eswatini.

Aim: Even though Eswatini was the first country in Africa to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets among people living with HIV nationally, youth aged 15-24 years lag behind in HIV testing. This study determined the overall prevalence of HIV testing among the youth and the factors associated with HIV testing.Methods: Data were analysed for 1 834 young people from the 2016-2017 Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS2) using multivariable logistic regression.Results: Overall, 66% of the young people had tested for HIV in the past 12 months before SHIMS2. Lower odds of HIV testing were observed among males, among those aged 15-17 years, the never married/cohabited, those with primary and secondary education, and among those who had high perceived stigma towards people living with HIV and AIDS. Youth from households classified in the poor and middle quintiles had higher odds of testing for HIV compared to those from rich households.Conclusion: Efforts to increase HIV testing should consider the sociodemographic and behavioural factors identified as determinants of HIV non-testing in this age group.

The prevalence of overweight/obesity and its association with household food insecurity among women living with HIV in rural Eswatini.

BACKGROUND: Eswatini is currently afflicted by an extremely high prevalence of HIV (27%) and malnutrition (both under-and over-nutrition). While rates of overweight/obesity in the general adult population have been documented, data on overweight/obesity and associated risk factors among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Eswatini is limited. This study examines the prevalence of overweight/obesity and associated risk factors, with an emphasis on clarifying the association between household food insecurity and overweight/obesity for WLHIV in rural Eswatini. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among WLHIV (n = 166) in rural communities of Eswatini. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire between October and November, 2017. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated to determine overweight and obesity among study participants. Women with BMI values of 25 kg/m2 or greater were classified as being overweight/obese. Multivariable log-binomial regression models were used to examine associations between household food insecurity and overweight/obesity in our study. RESULTS: Nearly a third (32.5%) of the women in our study were overweight and almost a quarter were obese (22.9%). We found significant associations between household food insecurity and overweight/obesity, with women who experienced household food insecurity the most being 0.38 times less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those who experienced household food insecurity the least (ARR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.2-0.71). In our study sample, women who perceived themselves as being in poor health were less likely to be overweight/obese compared to those who perceived themselves as being in good health (ARR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39-0.86). We found significant associations between overweight/obesity and alcohol use, with the risk of overweight/obesity nearly 1.5 times higher among women who consumed alcohol compared to those who did not (ARR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.07-2.05). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of overweight/obesity among food insecure women in poverty stricken communities may pose significant challenges for nutritional health and HIV management. With an increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity in food insecure households, there is a need to re-evaluate current strategies and develop multi-level targeted interventions that include prevention of excessive weight gain among women, particularly those living with HIV in rural Eswatini. HIV programs could include screening to identify individuals at risk for overweight/obesity in this population, and provide nutrition education for weight management for those individuals.

Access to Social Protection by People Living with, at Risk of, or Affected by HIV in Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia: Results from Population-Based HIV Impact Assessments.

We aimed to measure social protection coverage among the general population, women and men living with HIV (WLHIV, MLHV), female and male sex workers (FSW, MSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), adolescent girls young women (AGYW), and orphans vulnerable children (OVC) in Eswatini, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. We used Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment data. We operationalised social protection benefits as external economic support from private and public sources to the household in the last three or 12 months. We estimated survey-weighted proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for each population receiving social protection benefits. The sample size ranged from 10,233 adults ages 15-59 years in Eswatini to 29,638 in Tanzania. In the surveyed countries, social protection coverage among the general population was lower than the global average of 45%, ranging from 7.7% (95% CI 6.7%-8.8%) in Zambia to 39.6% (95% CI 36.8%-42.5%) in Eswatini. In Malawi and Zambia, social protection coverage among OVC, AGYW, SW, MSM, and people living with HIV (PLHIV) was similar to the general population. In Eswatini, more AGWY reported receiving social projection benefits than older women and more men not living with HIV reported receiving social protection benefits than MLHIV. In Tanzania, more WLHIV than women not living with HIV, MLHIV than men not living with HIV, and FSW than women who were not sex workers reported receiving social protection benefits. More data on access to social protection benefits by PLHIV or affected by HIV are needed to estimate better their social protection coverage.

Challenges encountered by human immunodeficiency virus positive pregnant women on taking antiretrovirals in a public health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland.

In Swaziland, the Ministry of Health adopted the prevention of mother-to-transmission (PMTCT) Option A as a feasible and less costly way to expand the PMTCT services nationwide. Despite major success since the programme started, some barriers, such as the challenge of follow-up care for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant mothers still exist. The present study aimed to describe the challenges that HIV-positive pregnant mothers encountered on taking antiretrovirals (ARVs) in a health unit of the Manzini region, Swaziland. A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research design was used, and data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and field notes. Purposive sampling was used to select the study site and the population. Permission was requested from the participants to record the interviews. The study population were HIV-positive pregnant mothers, aged between 18 and 40 years, which were enrolled in the PMTCT B+ programme. The PMTCT B+ programme was perceived as preventing the transfer of HIV transmission from mother to child. It boosts the mother's immune system, prevents opportunistic infections and prolongs life. Challenges of taking ARVs emerged as a theme. The participants displayed knowledge and understanding of the programme, yet discrimination and no support from families and partners were mentioned.