Prevalence of viral load suppression and acquired drug resistance among people living with HIV in Nepal: a nationally representative surveillance study.

OBJECTIVES: This is the first nationally representative study to estimate the prevalence of viral load (VL) suppression and acquired HIV drug resistance (ADR) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Nepal. METHODS: A cross-sectional study recruited 1418 PLHIV from 20 ART centres in Nepal, using a two-stage cluster design. Participants were eligible if they were HIV-positive individuals on ART for 9-15 months or at least 48 months. Plasma specimens were collected and tested for the quantification of HIV-1 RNA. Specimens with a VL ≥1000 copies/mL were further processed for sequencing of PR and RT genes of HIV-1. The sequences were then analysed to detect mutations causing HIV drug resistance. RESULTS: The prevalence of ADR was 3.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-7.6) and 3.0% (95% CI: 1.8-5.2) among PLHIV who received ART for 9-15 months and 48 months or more, respectively. The prevalence of VL suppression was 95.3% (95% CI: 91.7-97.4) among those on ART for 9-15 months, and 96.5% (95% CI: 94.7-97.7) among those on ART for at least 48 months. The prevalence of any detectable acquired resistance to antiretroviral drugs was 80.7% (95% CI: 58.6-92.5) among those on ART for 9-15 months with VL ≥1000 copies/mL and 81.6% (95% CI: 55.4-94.0) among those on ART for at least 48 months with VL ≥1000 copies/mL. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that improved accessibility to VL monitoring and timely assessment of drug resistance in routine HIV programs are crucial in Nepal to ensure access to HIV treatment for all in need.

COVID-19 vaccination up-take in three districts of Nepal.

Vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an issue in terms of global efforts to decrease transmission rates. Despite high demand for the vaccines in Nepal, the country still contends with challenges related to vaccine accessibility, equitable vaccine distribution, and vaccine hesitancy. Study objectives were to identify: 1) up-take and intention for use of COVID-19 vaccines, 2) factors associated with vaccine up-take, and 3) trusted communication strategies about COVID-19 and the vaccines. A quantitative survey was implemented in August and September 2021 through an initiative at the Nepali Ministry of Health and Population Department of Health Services, Family Welfare Division. Data were collected from 865 respondents in three provinces (Bagmati, Lumbini, and Province 1). Ordinal multivariate logistic regression was utilized to determine relationships between vaccination status and associated factors. Overall, 62% (537) respondents were fully vaccinated and 18% (159) were partially vaccinated. Those respondents with higher education (p < .001) and higher household income (p < .001) were more likely vaccinated. There were also significant differences in vaccine up-take across the three provinces (p < .001). Respondents who were vaccinated were significantly more likely to perceive vaccines as efficacious in terms of preventing COVID-19 (p = .004) and preventing serious outcomes (p = .010). Among both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, there was a high level of trust in information about COVID-19 vaccines provided through local health-care workers [e.g. nurses and physicians]. These results are consistent with other findings within the South Asia region. Targeted advocacy and outreach efforts are needed to support ongoing COVID-19 vaccination campaigns throughout Nepal.

Who gets vaccinated in a measles-rubella campaign in Nepal?: results from a post-campaign coverage survey.

BACKGROUND: Following the 2015 earthquake, a measles-rubella (MR) supplementary immunization activity (SIA), in four phases, was implemented in Nepal in 2015-2016. A post-campaign coverage survey (PCCS) was then conducted in 2017 to assess SIA performance and explore factors that were associated with vaccine uptake. METHODS: A household survey using stratified multi-stage probability sampling was conducted to assess coverage for a MR dose in the 2015-2016 SIA in Nepal. Logistic regression was then used to identify factors related to vaccine uptake. RESULTS: Eleven thousand two hundred fifty-three households, with 4870 eligible children provided information on vaccination during the 2015-2016 MR SIA. Overall coverage of measles-rubella vaccine was 84.7% (95% CI: 82.0-87.0), but varied between 77.5% (95% CI: 72.0, 82.2) in phase-3, of 21 districts vaccinated in Feb-Mar 2016, to 97.7% (CI: 95.4, 98.9) in phase-4, of the last seven mountainous districts vaccinated in Mar-Apr 2016. Coverage in rural areas was higher at 85.6% (CI: 81.9, 88.8) than in urban areas at 79.0% (CI: 75.5, 82.1). Of the 4223 children whose caregivers knew about the SIA, 96.5% received the MR dose and of the 647 children whose caregivers had not heard about the campaign, only 1.8% received the MR dose. CONCLUSIONS: The coverage in the 2015-2016 MR SIA in Nepal varied by geographical region with rural areas achieving higher coverage than urban areas. The single most important predictor of vaccination was the caregiver being informed in advance about the vaccination campaign. Enhanced efforts on social mobilization for vaccination have been used in Nepal since this survey, notably for the most recent 2020 MR campaign.

Social and structural factors associated with depression and suicidality among men who have sex with men and transgender women in Nepal.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of depression and suicidality is high among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) worldwide. Stigma and discrimination are likely contributing factors. More research is needed in low-income, non-English speaking countries to assess the effects of social and structural factors on depression and suicidality among MSM and TGW. METHODS: Nepalese MSM and TGW (n = 340) were recruited using a respondent-driven sampling design and filled out a survey questionnaire. The outcomes were depression and suicidality. Data was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: More than half of the participants (59%) suffered from depression. Severe depression was more common among TGW compared to MSM (41 and 20%, respectively). When it comes to suicidality, TGW had higher lifetime prevalence of suicidal thoughts compared to MSM (32 and 5%, respectively). Depression was positively associated with sex work both for MSM (AOR: 7.9; 95% CI 3.4-18.2) and TGW (AOR: 6.5; 95% CI: 2.3-18.2). MSM who were evicted by family had high odds of suicidal thoughts (AOR: 6.2; 95% CI: 1.3-28.8). For TGW, suicidality was associated with being cheated and threatened (AOR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.2-12.5) and having forced to marry a female (AOR: 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-5.1). CONCLUSIONS: Nepalese MSM and TGW suffer from a high degree of mental and psychosocial health issues. Future studies should focus on intervention research and on collecting data from a larger variety of gender and sexual minorities.

Community led testing among people who inject drugs: A community centered model to find new cases of HIV and Hepatitis C in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: People who inject drugs (PWIDs) have sub-optimal HIV and HCV testing as the available testing services are inadequate in low and middle-income countries. We examined a model of Community-Led Testing (CLT) in Nepal, exploring the feasibility of HIV and HCV testing by trained lay service providers who had similar backgrounds to those of PWIDs. We also assessed the prevalence of HIV and HCV within this study population and the associated risk factors among PWIDs. METHODS: A mix-methods cross-sectional study was conducted among 1029 PWIDs in five major districts of Nepal from July 2019 to February 2020. Trained PWID peers performed the screening for HIV and HCV using Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits. Acceptability and feasibility of the testing was assessed. The participants' sociodemographic characteristics and injecting and non-injecting risk characteristics were determined. The association of risk and prevention characteristics with testing results were assessed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: PWIDs shared that the test providers were friendly and competent in counseling and testing. Of total PWIDs (n = 1,029), 20.6% were HCV-positive and 0.2% were HIV-positive. HCV positivity was associated with needle sharing (AOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.27,2.64; p = 0.001) and reuse of syringe/needle (AOR: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.34, 3.79; p = 0.002). In addition, PWIDs were more likely to be HCV-positive who started opioid substitution therapy (OST) (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.80, p = 0.002) and attended the rehabilitation center (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.10, 2.53, p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: This CLT model was found to be a novel approach of testing of HIV and HCV which was acceptable to PWIDs in Nepal and showed the high prevalence of HCV and its association with injecting-related risk behaviors and being users of OST and rehabilitation. The findings highlight the need of community-led testing in hotspots, OST settings, and rehabilitation centers to screen new HIV and HCV infections.

On-site clinical mentoring as a maternal and new-born care quality improvement method: evidence from a nurse cohort study in Nepal.

BACKGROUND: We describe an on-site clinical mentoring program aimed at improving emergency obstetrical and new-born care (EmONC) in Nepal and assess its effectiveness on nurses' knowledge and skills. In Nepal, both the maternal mortality ratio (MMR, 239/100,000 live births) and the neonatal mortality rate (NMR, 21/1000 live births) were among the highest in the world in 2016, despite impressive progress over recent decades considering the challenging environment. METHODS: From September 2016 to April 2018, three experienced nurses conducted repeated mentoring visits in 61 comprehensive or basic EmONC centers and birthing centers located in 4 provinces of Nepal. Using updated national training manuals and teaching aids, these clinical mentors assessed and taught 12 core EmONC clinical skills to their nurse-mentees. Clinical mentors worked with management mentors whose goal was to improve the nurses' working environment. We assessed whether the cohort of nurse-mentees performed better as a group and individually performed better at the end of the program than at baseline using relevant tests (chi-square test, Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test, and Kruskal-Wallis equality-of-population rank test). RESULTS: In total, 308 nurses were assessed, including 96 (31.2%), 77 (25.0%) and 135 (43.8%) who participated in all three, two or only one mentoring session, respectively. In total, 225 (73.0%) worked as auxiliary nurse-midwives (ANMs), while 69 (22.4%) worked as nurses. One hundred and ninety five (63.3%) were trained as skilled birth attendants, of which 45 (23.1%) were nurses, 141 (72.3%) were auxiliaries and 9 (4.6%) had other positions. The proportion of ANMs and nurse-mentees who obtained a knowledge assessment score ≥ 85% increased from 57.8 to 86.1% (p <  0.001). Clinical assessment scores increased significantly for each participant, and therefore for the group. SBA-trained mentees had better knowledge of maternal and new-born care and were better able to perform the 12 core clinical skills throughout the program. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that on-site clinical mentoring of nurses coupled with health facility management mentoring can improve nurses' clinical competences in and performance of maternity and new-born care. Assessing evidence of impact on patient safety would be the next stage in evaluating this promising intervention.