Comparing in-person, blended and virtual training interventions; a real-world evaluation of HIV capacity building programs in 16 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

We sought to evaluate the impact of transitioning a multi-country HIV training program from in-person to online by comparing digital training approaches implemented during the pandemic with in-person approaches employed before COVID-19. We evaluated mean changes in pre-and post-course knowledge scores and self-reported confidence scores for learners who participated in (1) in-person workshops (between October 2019 and March 2020), (2) entirely asynchronous, Virtual Workshops [VW] (between May 2021 and January 2022), and (3) a blended Online Course [OC] (between May 2021 and January 2022) across 16 SSA countries. Learning objectives and evaluation tools were the same for all three groups. Across 16 SSA countries, 3023 participants enrolled in the in-person course, 2193 learners participated in the virtual workshop, and 527 in the online course. The proportions of women who participated in the VW and OC were greater than the proportion who participated in the in-person course (60.1% and 63.6%, p<0.001). Nursing and midwives constituted the largest learner group overall (1145 [37.9%] vs. 949 [43.3%] vs. 107 [20.5%]). Across all domains of HIV knowledge and self-perceived confidence, there was a mean increase between pre- and post-course assessments, regardless of how training was delivered. The greatest percent increase in knowledge scores was among those participating in the in-person course compared to VW or OC formats (13.6% increase vs. 6.0% and 7.6%, p<0.001). Gains in self-reported confidence were greater among learners who participated in the in-person course compared to VW or OC formats, regardless of training level (p<0.001) or professional cadre (p<0.001). In this multi-country capacity HIV training program, in-person, online synchronous, and blended synchronous/asynchronous strategies were effective means of training learners from diverse clinical settings. Online learning approaches facilitated participation from more women and more diverse cadres. However, gains in knowledge and clinical confidence were greater among those participating in in-person learning programs.

GROSS PRESENTATION AND HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF PLACENTAE IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH INTRAUTERINE FOETAL DEATH AT KENYATTA NATIONAL HOSPITAL.

BACKGROUND: There are 3.2 million annual stillbirths, at least 98% occur in low-/middle income countries, and on average, as many as two-thirds of these stillbirths are thought to occur antenatally, prior to labour. The most useful test towards a diagnosis after stillbirth is pathological examination of the placenta and the foetus. However, this pathological examination is done in less than half of the placentae after cases of stillbirth. OBJECTIVE: To determine gross presentation and histomorphological changes of placentae in patients presenting with intrauterine foetal death as compared to live births. DESIGN: A case control study. SETTING: The Kenyatta National Hospital's labour ward and the Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi. SUBJECTS: The cases were mothers who presented with IUFD at a gestation of 28 weeks and above. The controls were a comparative group of mothers who delivered live babies at the hospital and were matched for age. RESULTS: Reduction of the mass of functioning villi was present in 11.8% of placenta in the stillbirth group compared to 2% in the live birth group (p-value 0.002). There was significant presence of other placental abnormalities in the stillbirth group (22.5%) compared to the live birth group (9.8%) (p-value-0.002). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that histological examination of placenta is useful in identifying some causes of stillbirths. This knowledge may lead to preventive measures which would lower perinatal mortality.

Cardiotocography and perinatal outcome in women with and without meconium stained liquor.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence linking meconium stained liquor to poor perinatal outcome and clear amniotic fluid is frequently considered a reassuring sign during labour. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are any differences in cardiotocography (CTG) tracings and perinatal outcomes in women with meconium stained compared with those with clear liquor in labour. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. SETTING: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. SUBJECTS: Seventy seven women presenting in labour were studied. Thirty six had meconium stained liquor and 41 had clear liquor. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Initial and intrapartum CTG was done. Perinatal and maternal outcomes determined were birth weights, Apgar scores, admission due to foetal indications and puerperal sepsis. CTG interpretation was based on RCOG/NICE guidelines-2001. SPSS 12.0.1 was used for all analyses. RESULTS: Variable decelerations were the most common foetal heart rate patterns. In the initial CTG, suspicious (RR 1.033, 95% CI: 0.515 - 2.073), and pathologic (RR 1.490, 95% CI: 0.928-2.393) patterns were increased in the meconium stained group. In the intrapartum CTG, pathologic pattern was increased in women with meconium stain liquor (RR 1.096, 95% CI: 0.650-1.847). Apgar score of <7 was likely if the initial base line rate was abnormal (RR 1.357, 95% CI: 0.139 -1.009, irrespective of the state of liquor. Meconium staining of liquor was associated with Caesarean delivery (RR = 1.357, 95% CI: 1.010-1.823; P-value 0.042). There was no significant difference in the mean birth weights of the infants born to women in both groups (3359.72 grams and 3260.24 grams respectively, P = 0.282). One minute Apgar score in both groups was not significantly (RR 0.390, 95% CI:0.131-1.1611). CONCLUSION: The suspicious and pathologic tracings were increased in the meconium stained liquor group. There was no significant difference in the Apgar scores in both groups of women. Meconium staining of liquor was significantly associated with Caesarean delivery.

Cluster randomised trial of the uptake of a take-home infant dose of nevirapine in Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether a single take home dose of infant nevirapine increased infant uptake without decreasing institutional deliveries. DESIGN: Cluster randomised post-test only study with control group. SETTING: Ten hospitals in urban areas of Coast, Rift Valley, and Western provinces, Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women with HIV, 18 years and older, and at least 32 weeks gestation recruited during antenatal care and followed up at home approximately one week after delivery. INTERVENTION: In the intervention group, women were given a single infant's dose of nevirapine to take home prior to delivery. In the control group, no changes were made to the standard of care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mothers' reports of infant uptake of nevirapine and place of delivery. RESULTS: Uptake of the infant's nevirapine dose was high, 94% in the intervention group and 88% in the control group (p=0.096). Among women who delivered at home, uptake was higher significantly among infants whose mothers got the take home dose compared to women who did not get the dose (93% vs. 53%, p<0.01). The intervention did not influence place of delivery. Providers were positive about the take home dose concept; difficulties were attributed to HIV-related stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Making take home infant nevirapine available, either as a single dose administered within 72 hours of birth or as part of a more complex six week postnatal regimen, will increase infant uptake especially among women who deliver at home without affecting place of delivery.

Adherence to national guidelines in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.

BACKGROUND: Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) contributes to over 90% of the paediatric HIV infections. The national PMTCT guidelines make recommendations for specific interventions to reduce perinatal transmission. Data on adherence to the guidelines by caregivers and quality of PMTCT care is however limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which PMTCT care offered to HIV positive women admitted for delivery at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and Pumwani Maternity Hospital (PMH) adheres to National Guidelines in order to reduce vertical transmission of HIV during labour and delivery. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital and Pumwani Maternity Hospital from January to April 2009. SUBJECTS: All consenting HIV positive women admitted to the labour wards at the two facilities and planned for delivery. RESULTS: A total of 370 women were enrolled, 266 at Pumwani Maternity Hospital and 104 at Kenyatta National Hospital. Among the enrolled women 357 (96.4%) had been counselled on vertical transmission and 205 (55.4%) had HIV disease staging by CD4 cell count. There were no significant differences between the two study sites in the proportion of women counselled on MTCT (p = 0.398) and receiving HIV disease staging by CD4 testing (p = 0.28). Three hundred and forty nine (94.3%) women were offered varied ARV regimens for PMTCT. 101(27.3%) received HAART, 94 (26.9%) were given single dose nevirapine and 130 (37%) received AZT+NVP combination prophylaxis. Twenty one women received no ARV prophylaxis. Overall, 268 women (72.5%) had spontaneous vertex delivery. An episiotomy rate of 7% was observed and no vacuum delivery was recorded. A Caesarean section rate of 27.5% was recorded with PMTCT as an indication in almost half of the cases. Women delivered at KNH were more likely to receive HAART (p < 0.001) and to be delivered by elective caesarean (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A great majority of HIV positive women admitted for delivery received counseling on vertical transmission and were offered ARVs for PMTCT. Many women did not get CD4 measurement and clinical staging as recommended in the National guidelines.