Patient perspectives on the helpfulness of a community health worker program for HIV care engagement in Tanzania.

Task-shifting is a valuable approach for redistributing clinical tasks to nonprofessional health workers and relieving human resource shortages. The Community-Based HIV Services (CBHS) program is a national cohort of volunteer community health workers (CHWs) who support HIV care engagement at clinics in Tanzania. We recruited 23 patients initiating HIV care at two clinics to understand their experiences with the CBHS program. Participants completed qualitative interviews by telephone discussing the perceived helpfulness of the program, their level of connection with CHWs, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analyzed through an inductive, team-based qualitative approach. Most participants found the program to be helpful and described close, positive connections. CHWs offered education, emotional support to accept one's diagnosis and cope with stigma, and encouragement to remain engaged in HIV care. However, several participants described minimal, shallow contact with CHWs, and felt the program did not benefit their HIV care. Participants recommended increasing CHW efforts to engage people living with HIV (PLWH) in the broader community, and addressing socioeconomic barriers to care engagement. When contacts are consistent, the CBHS program is a strong resource for PLWH. To maximize the potential of the program, administrators should enhance oversight and extend new training opportunities for CHWs.

Prevalence, severity, and associated factors of depression in newly diagnosed people living with HIV in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Depression is particularly common among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), with some studies showing a prevalence of depression three times higher among people living with HIV as compared to the general public. The stress associated with being diagnosed with HIV can be quite impactful, including concerns about one's long-term health, stigma, and the burden of long-term treatment. Therefore, it is common for a new HIV diagnosis to contribute to the onset of depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of depression, and its associated factors in people diagnosed with HIV within the past 12 months. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with patients newly diagnosed with HIV at three hospitals in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania utilizing a locally validated version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a screener for depression, the Demographic Health Survey (SES-DHS8) for socio-demographic characteristics, and the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) to assess perceived social support. We enrolled 272 participants between September and December 2020, diagnosed with HIV within the past 12 months. Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc analysis were used to determine associations of sociodemographic variables with the dependent variable of depression. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of depression in our sample was 41%, including 54 participants (20%) with moderate symptoms, 42 (15%) with moderately severe symptoms, and 16 (6%) with severe symptoms. Severity was highest in participants diagnosed with HIV less than 1 month ago. An ANCOVA model (overall F = 4.72, p < 0.001) assessing factors associated with greater depression severity revealed significant effects of study site (F = 7.6, p < 0.001), female gender (F = 5.11, p = 0.02), and less time since HIV diagnosis (F = 12.3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates very high prevalence of depression among people living with HIV in this setting, particularly among those newly diagnosed, female participants, and those seen at the larger regional referral hospital. Integration of mental health screening and interventions into CTC care is vital in the first visits following a positive test result and may be tailored to meet the needs of patients at highest risk for developing symptoms of depression.

Task shifting for maternal and neonatal care in low-resource settings: A mixed-methods evaluation of a midwifery training program in rural Papua New Guinea.

In an effort to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality, a rural health system in Papua New Guinea implemented a two-week midwifery training program for 47 nurses and community health workers. We evaluated this program by administering pre- and post-training knowledge tests, focus group discussions, a clinical vignette task, and key informant interviews. Participants improved significantly in their midwifery knowledge and demonstrated effective care in the clinical vignettes. Participants described the training as novel and beneficial. Program leaders were motivated to scale up the program and assess community-level impact. This program has strong potential to improve local obstetric care capacity.

Leveraging Policy Changes Made in Response to COVID-19 to Advance Telehealth and Novel Treatment Approaches for People Who Use Opioids: Qualitative Perspectives From Two Rural North Carolina Counties.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for telehealth services for people who use opioids; however, the data show dramatic increases in opioid overdose deaths and ongoing lack of treatment options in North Carolina, particularly among rural residents. Methods: We conducted a listening session and qualitative interviews with 10 health care professionals, administrators, and community partners providing services for individuals who use opioids in Granville and Vance counties. Data were analyzed with an applied thematic approach. Results: Participants described several benefits of rapid expansion of telehealth services during the pandemic. Continued improvements in access to high-speed internet will be critical to maintain progress in rural areas. Participants advocated for integrated, co-located ser-vices and improved referral processes to minimize cost and burden of attending multiple appointments across sites. Integrated services could include medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD), mental/behavioral health support, primary medical care, and harm reduction services. Participants supported novel community-based strategies, such as mobile clinics, and described a need for after-hours and crisis services for opioid recovery in the region. Limitations: The study was exploratory in nature and elicited the perspectives of providers serving two rural counties in North Carolina, which may not be generalizable to broader populations. We did not include the perspectives of people who use opioids in this study but will do so in upcoming research. Conclusions: Participants were strong proponents of the benefits of telehealth and identified strategies for continuing recent progress in rural access to opioid treatment through novel integrated and community-based approaches.

Correlates of Blood Pressure Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults 50 Years or Older by HIV Status in Northwestern Tanzania.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The objective of this study was to describe the increasing incidence and risk of cardiovascular disease among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Sub-Saharan Africa. We also used data to compare hypertension (a common NCD among PLWH) outcomes between PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals among older adults in Northwestern Tanzania. RECENT FINDINGS: Hypertension is increasingly common in Sub-Saharan Africa and a leading cause of cardiovascular disease for PLWH. Among those with hypertension, PLWH have a 50% higher risk of incident myocardial infarction compared to the general population. In response to the rising incidence of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among PLWH, recently, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS supported the integration of NCD care into routine clinical care for HIV. However, data are lacking on levels of awareness of hypertension status, diagnosis, and antihypertensive medication adherence. Given the higher likelihood of elevated blood pressure among PLWH, there is an urgent need to implement interventions to improve blood pressure control in this population. Researchers should evaluate treatment barriers at multiple levels including health system, healthcare providers, and patients' level and tailor evidence-based interventions to increase achievement of blood pressure control for PLWH.

Prevalence and predictors of depression among women attending antenatal care in Moshi, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Antenatal depression in low-and middle-income countries is under-diagnosed and leads to poorer outcomes in the pregnancy and postpartum periods. The aim of this study was to quantify depressive symptoms among pregnant women in Moshi, Tanzania, and identify factors associated with probable depression. METHODS: Between March and December 2019, we enrolled 1039 pregnant women attending their first antenatal care appointment at two government health facilities to complete an audio computer-assisted self-interview. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), with a score > 13 indicating probable depression. A log-binomial regression model was used to identify factors associated with probable antenatal depression. RESULTS: A total of 11.5% (119/1033) met criteria for probable depression. Depression was more common among women who were not married (16.5% vs. 7.9%, PrR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.0, 2.1) and women who reported a lifetime history of violence (22.6% vs. 5.3%, PrR = 3.3, 95% CI 2.2, 5.0). Depression was less common among women who reported more partner-specific support (PrR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.87, 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Screening pregnant women for depressive symptoms is an essential component of evidence-based maternity care and should be accompanied by appropriate support and resources. Women who are not married, have limited support from a partner, or have experienced violence are especially vulnerable to depressive symptomatology during pregnancy.

Effect of Paralytic Agents on Post-Intubation Sedation in the Emergency Department.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency at which postintubation sedation is administered following use of long-acting paralytic agents compared to short-acting paralytic agents during rapid sequence intubation performed in the emergency department. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study of intubated patients in the emergency department analyzed the difference in time to administration of additional sedation following use of a short-acting paralytic (succinylcholine) compared to use of a long-acting paralytic (rocuronium or vecuronium). A total of 387 patients were available for analysis. The primary outcome was additional sedation given within 15 minutes following administration of a paralytic agent. The secondary outcome sought to evaluate the incidence of hyperkalemia due to paralytic agents by comparing potassium level before and after paralytic administration. Results: 46.9% of patients who received a short-acting paralytic agent received additional sedation within 15 minutes, compared to 40.9% of patients who received a long-acting paralytic agent. The Chi-square analysis comparing the short and long-acting paralytic groups showed no statistically significant difference (χ² [1, N = 387] = 1.24, P = .266) in the frequency of additional sedation administered. Excluding patients who did not receive any additional sedation, the mean time from paralytic administration to additional sedation in all patients was 20.03 ± 18 minutes. No statistically significant difference was detected between groups regarding changes in potassium level. Conclusion: The use of long-acting paralytic agents was not associated with increased time to administration of sedation compared to shortacting paralytic agents. There is an opportunity to reduce the time to sedation administration for intubated patients receiving both short- and long-acting paralytic agents.

"She Just Told Me Not To Cry": A Qualitative Study of Experiences of HIV Testing and Counseling (HTC) Among Pregnant Women Living with HIV in Tanzania.

HIV testing and counseling (HTC) in antenatal care is extremely effective at identifying women living with HIV and linking them to HIV care. However, retention is suboptimal in this population. We completed qualitative interviews with 24 pregnant women living with HIV in Tanzania to explore perceptions of HTC. Participants described intense shock and distress upon testing positive, including concerns about HIV stigma and disclosure; however, these concerns were rarely discussed in HTC. Nurses were generally kind, but relied on educational content and brief reassurances, leaving some participants feeling unsupported and unprepared to start HIV treatment. Several participants described gaps in HIV knowledge, including the purpose of antiretroviral therapy and the importance of medication adherence. Targeted nurse training related to HIV disclosure, stigma, and counseling skills may help nurses to more effectively communicate the importance of care engagement to prevent HIV transmission and support the long-term health of mother and child.

RESUMEN: Las pruebas de VIH y la orientación (HTC) en el cuidado prenatal son métodos extremadamente efectivos para identificar a mujeres viviendo con VIH y referirlas al cuidado que necesitan. Sin embargo, la retención en los programas de cuidado es un obstáculo en esta población. Completamos entrevistas cualitativas en Tanzania con 24 mujeres embarazadas que viven con el VIH para identificar sus reacciones al HTC. Las participantes describieron un sentido de conmoción intensa y angustia al dar positivo, además de las preocupaciones sobre el estigma del VIH y el temor a divulgar ser positivas. Sin embargo, estas preocupaciones rara vez se discutieron durante el proceso de HTC. Por lo general, las enfermeras fueron amables, pero se dependían del material educativo y ofrecían pequeñas consolaciones, los cuales dejaban a algunas participantes sintiéndose sin apoyo y sin preparación para comenzar el tratamiento contra el VIH. Varias participantes describieron poco conocimiento del VIH, como el propósito de la terapia antirretroviral y la importancia de la adherencia terapéutica. Un entrenamiento específico para las enfermeras en relación a la divulgación, el estigma y la orientación sobre el VIH podrían ayudar a las enfermeras a comunicar de manera más efectiva la importancia de la participación en el cuidado de la condición para así prevenir la transmisión del VIH y fomentar la salud a largo plazo del la madre y la criatura.

The Disclosure Dilemma: Willingness to Disclose a Positive HIV Status Among Individuals Preparing for HIV Testing During Antenatal Care in Tanzania.

HIV status disclosure can reduce transmission risks and improve care engagement. Individuals may have strong feelings about HIV disclosure even prior to diagnosis. We assessed willingness to disclose a positive HIV status among pregnant women and their male partners awaiting routine HIV testing during antenatal care in Tanzania (n = 939). Logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with willingness to disclose to one's inner circle (partner/family member) and outer circle (friend/neighbor) in the event of an HIV diagnosis. Almost all (93%) were willing to disclose to at least one person; participants were more willing to disclose to their inner circle (91%) vs outer circle (52%). Individuals with some form of employment, more stigmatizing attitudes of social distancing of PLWH, greater anticipated HIV stigma, more perceived social support, and prior contact with someone living with HIV were more likely to disclose to their inner circles. Individuals who were older, male, and who had higher levels of perceived social support were more willing to disclose to their outer circle. These findings increase the understanding of the intra- and interpersonal factors that influence HIV disclosure decisions. Tailored pre- and post- HIV test counseling are needed to facilitate social support and overcome barriers to disclosure if they test positive for HIV.

HIV Stigmatizing Attitudes Among Men Accompanying Their Partners to Antenatal Care in Tanzania: A Mixed-Method Study.

This mixed-method study aimed to describe HIV stigmatizing attitudes, identify factors associated with stigmatizing attitudes, and explore the broader context of HIV stigma among men accompanying their pregnant female partners to antenatal care in Tanzania. The study recruited 480 men who were attending a first antenatal care appointment with their pregnant female partners. Participants completed a structured survey; a subset of 16 men completed in-depth interviews. The majority of participants endorsed at least one of the stigmatizing attitudes; the most common attitude endorsed was the perception that HIV is a punishment for bad behaviour. In a multivariable logistic analysis, men were more likely to endorse stigmatizing attitudes if they were younger, less educated, Muslim, did not know anyone with HIV, or reported less social support. In the qualitative interviews, men discussed how HIV was antithetical to masculine identities related to respect, strength, independence, and emotional control. Future studies should develop and test interventions to address HIV stigmatizing attitudes among men, taking advantage of settings of routine HIV testing. These programs should be tailored to reflect masculine ideals that perpetuate stigma.

Pilot Outcomes of Maisha: An HIV Stigma Reduction Intervention Developed for Antenatal Care in Tanzania.

HIV stigma is a persistent barrier to curbing the spread of HIV and improving quality of life for people living with HIV. We developed and pilot tested Maisha, an HIV stigma reduction intervention in antenatal care (ANC) with two objectives: 1) among individuals living with HIV, reduce internalized and anticipated HIV stigma, with subsequent improvements in HIV care engagement, and 2) among individuals who are HIV-seronegative, reduce HIV stigmatizing attitudes. We enrolled and baselined 1039 women and 492 male partners presenting to a first ANC appointment and randomized them to standard of care or the Maisha intervention. All women living with HIV (WLHIV) and a subset of HIV-negative participants completed a 3-month follow-up assessment. Participation in the three Maisha sessions was high (99.6%, 92.8%, 89.3%), and nearly all participants noted satisfaction with the intervention content (99.8%) and counselor (99.8%). Among 55 WLHIV, care engagement outcomes did not differ by condition. Among 293 HIV-negative participants, Maisha participants had significantly greater reductions in the moral judgment sub-scale of the stigma attitudes measure (p < .001), but not the social distancing subscale. The ANC setting, where women and their partners are routinely tested for HIV, is an ideal venue for addressing HIV stigma. The Maisha intervention was feasible and acceptable, and had an impact on HIV stigma attitudes. A full trial is needed to examine impacts on HIV outcomes; modifications to the intervention should be considered to reduce social alienation of PLWH.

Attitudes Toward Pregnancy Among Women Enrolled in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) Services in Moshi, Tanzania.

For pregnant women living with HIV (WLWH), feelings about pregnancy may influence their emotional well-being and health seeking behaviors. This study examined attitudes toward pregnancy and associated factors among women enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in Moshi, Tanzania. 200 pregnant WLWH were enrolled during their second or third trimester of pregnancy and completed a structured survey. Univariable and multivariable regression models examined factors associated with attitudes toward pregnancy, including demographics, interpersonal factors, and emotional well-being. Attitudes toward the current pregnancy were generally positive, with 87% of participants reporting feeling happy about being pregnant. In the final multivariable model, having higher levels of partner support, being newly diagnosed with HIV, and having fewer children were significantly associated with more positive attitudes toward their pregnancy. Findings point to a need for tailored psychosocial support services in PMTCT, as well as comprehensive reproductive health care for WLWH.

Opportunities to Leverage Telehealth Approaches Along the Hypertension Control Cascade in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current literature on use of telehealth at different stages of the hypertension control cascade in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to discuss opportunities to harness technology infrastructure in SSA to improve population-level blood pressure control. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite the high burden of hypertension in SAA, strategies to improve awareness, diagnosis, and management are inadequate. In high-income countries, telehealth has increased patient access to high-quality care at reduced costs. Notwithstanding the limited evidence on the use of telehealth at the different stages of the hypertension control cascade in SSA, the few published interventions in this review reported reduction of blood pressure and increase in the proportion of individuals with controlled blood pressure. Telehealth use across the hypertension control cascade in SSA is promising. These under-resourced settings provide opportunity to better understand the demand for these interventions in order to achieve meaningful clinical outcomes.

Vulnerable at Each Step in the PMTCT Care Cascade: High Loss to Follow Up During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period in Tanzania.

In 2013, Tanzania adopted the World Health Organization's Option B+ guidelines for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), whereby all HIV-infected pregnant women initiate lifelong antiretroviral therapy. This study examined retention in PMTCT across critical junctures in the care continuum. This was a retrospective study of patient-level data for a cohort of women enrolled in PMTCT during the first year of Option B+ in Tanzania. Retention in care was described across three periods: (1) the first month of antenatal care (ANC), (2) pregnancy, and (3) the postpartum period. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with loss to follow up (LTFU) during the first month of ANC. Survival analyses were used to identify factors associated with LTFU during pregnancy and the postpartum periods. 650 participants were included in the cohort; 262 (40.3%) were newly diagnosed with HIV. Two years after delivery, 383/650 (58.7%) were LTFU. Of the 383 LTFU, 73 (19.1%) were lost during the first month of ANC, 44 (11.5%) during pregnancy, and 266 (69.5%) after delivery. Being newly diagnosed with HIV predicted higher LTFU during the first month of ANC (aOR 1.76; 95% CI 1.06-2.94) and faster time to LTFU during the postpartum period (adjusted relative time, 0.68; 95% CI 0.51-0.89). High LTFU occurred across the PMTCT continuum, including immediately after enrollment into ANC and the postpartum period. Ongoing research is needed to encourage treatment uptake and sustained engagement after delivery.

Attitudes Toward Long-Term Use of Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women in Moshi, Tanzania: A Longitudinal Study.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy and the postpartum period is necessary to prevent vertical HIV transmission and to secure the long-term health of an HIV-infected woman. Health behavior theory suggests that patients' attitudes towards medication can predict their medication-taking behaviour. This study sought to understand how women's attitudes towards ART changes between the pregnancy and postpartum periods, and the factors associated with these attitudes. The study enrolled 200 pregnant women living with HIV. Structured surveys were administered during pregnancy and at three and 6 months postpartum. Overall, attitudes towards ART were stable over time. More positive attitudes towards ART were associated with HIV acceptance, lower levels of depression, and lower levels of shame. Counselling interventions are needed to help HIV-infected women accept their status and reduce shameful emotions. Depression screening and treatment should be integrated into PMTCT services. This study emphasizes the importance of early attention to attitudes towards ART, in order to establish a trajectory of sustained care engagement.

Women's perspectives on ImpACT: a coping intervention to address sexual trauma and improve HIV care engagement in Cape Town, South Africa.

HIV-infected women who have experienced sexual violence face unique challenges in their HIV care engagement and adherence to antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Improving AIDS Care after Trauma (ImpACT) is a brief counseling intervention aimed at reducing the negative impact of sexual trauma and HIV, building coping skills, and improving long-term HIV care engagement. We conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial of ImpACT with 64 women initiating ARVs in Cape Town, South Africa, with results suggesting the intervention can reduce PTSD symptoms and increase motivation to adhere to ARVs. For the current study, we abstracted data from ImpACT worksheets completed by 31 participants during intervention sessions, and qualitative responses from post-intervention surveys, to examine mechanisms, facilitators, and barriers to change in the intervention. Data included participant descriptions of the values informing their care, barriers to participation, and perceived benefits of the intervention related to coping with trauma and improving care engagement. During the first session, women reported feelings of shame, sadness, and anger that led to social isolation, mistrust, and damaged relationships. Barriers to participation included work and school demands, issues with transportation, finances, and discomfort in talking about HIV and trauma, particularly in group sessions. Despite these challenges, several women stated they developed more positive thinking, felt more confident, and improved their interpersonal relationships. Participants also reported substantial positive impact on symptoms of sexual trauma and motivation to continue with long-term HIV care, and clearer understanding of barriers and facilitators to ARV adherence. ImpACT is a promising intervention model for building adaptive coping skills and adherence to HIV treatment, informed by personal values, among women with a history of trauma in this high-risk setting. The data also offer insights into strategies to strengthen the intervention, overcome barriers to participation, encourage the practical application of skills, and promote long-term HIV care engagement.

Predictors of postpartum HIV care engagement for women enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs in Tanzania.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) is a foundational component of a comprehensive HIV treatment program. In addition to preventing vertical transmission to children, PMTCT is an important catch-point for universal test-and-treat strategies that can reduce community viral load and slow the epidemic. However, systematic reviews suggest that care engagement in PMTCT programs is sub-optimal. This study enrolled a cohort of 200 women initiating PMTCT in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, and followed them to assess HIV care engagement and associated factors. Six months after delivery, 42/200 (21%) of participants were identified as having poor care engagement, defined as HIV RNA >200 copies/mL or, if viral load was unavailable, being lost-to-follow-up in the clinical records or self-reporting being out of care. In a multivariable risk factor analysis, younger women were more likely to have poor postpartum care engagement; with each year of age, women were 7% less likely to have poor care engagement (aRR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.98). Additionally, women who had told at least one person about their HIV status were 47% less likely to have poor care engagement (aRR: .53; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.97). Among women who entered antenatal care with an established HIV diagnosis, those who were pregnant for the first time had increased risk of poor care engagement (aRR 4.16; 95% CI 1.53, 11.28). The findings suggest that care engagement remains a concern in PMTCT programs, and must be addressed to realize the goals of PMTCT. Comprehensive counseling on HIV disclosure, along with community-based stigma reduction programs to provide a supportive environment for people living with HIV, are crucial to address barriers to care engagement and support long-term treatment. Women presenting to antenatal care with an established HIV status require support for care engagement during the crucial period surrounding childbirth, particularly those pregnant for the first time.

Attribution Through the Layperson's Lens: Development and Preliminary Validation of an Inclusive, International Measure of Beliefs About the Causes of Mental Illness.

Attributions, or beliefs about the causes of mental illness, have traditionally been dichotomized based on their locus, controllability, specificity, and stability. However, scholars have introduced an alternative lay beliefs model identifying attributions related to specific biological, social, and spiritual attributions. This research describes the potential benefits of this alternative model and outlines the validation of a comprehensive, international measure of lay beliefs, the Mental Illness Attribution Questionnaire (MIAQ). Validation included piloting, qualitative rating, confirmatory factor analysis, and evaluation of internal consistency, convergent validity, and test-retest reliability with a sample of 680 U.S.-based international students representing 94 nations. Scales measured attributions related to supernatural forces, social stress, lifestyle, health, substance use, heredity, and personal weakness. This structure was tested across 3 conditions-schizophrenia, depression, and alcoholism-demonstrating strong psychometric properties. The lay beliefs model appears to closely reflect the manner in which laypersons attribute cause for mental health problems, making it a natural fit for community-based research. Further, its validation with 2 international samples supports its utility in diverse populations. Together, the results support the MIAQ as a valid and reliable measure of mental illness attribution with potential for examining help-seeking and stigmatizing behavior across cultures.

HIV Disclosure Among Pregnant Women Initiating ART in Cape Town, South Africa: Qualitative Perspectives During the Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods.

For women enrolled in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, non-disclosure of their HIV status can be a significant barrier to sustained HIV care engagement. To explore decision-making surrounding HIV disclosure among HIV-infected pregnant women, we conducted repeated in-depth interviews during pregnancy and postpartum with 20 women recruited from a PMTCT clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Three domains were examined using thematic analysis: (1) disclosure experiences, (2) challenges associated with partner disclosure, and (3) implications of nondisclosure. All women had disclosed to someone by the time of the baby's birth, typically limiting their disclosure to trusted individuals. Only half of participants disclosed to the father of the child. Nondisclosure, particularly to partners, was a significant source of worry and stress. Women used pregnancy as an explanation for using medication and attending frequent clinic appointments, and recognized impending challenges in the postpartum period when this excuse would no longer apply. Results suggest that PMTCT programs have a key role to play in helping individuals to make decisions about HIV disclosure, and assisting patients to navigate the disclosure process, especially with partners.

Mental Health Diagnostic Frameworks, Imputed Causes of Mental Illness, and Alternative Treatments in Northern Tanzania: Exploring Mental Health Providers' Perspectives.

In Tanzania, a nation with a large mental health treatment gap, local stakeholders' perspectives are critical for informing effective treatment. The practice-based perspectives of mental health providers may be particularly instructive. Existing foundational literature on the professional population in this region is scarce. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 mental health providers in northern Tanzania. Interviews focused on three topics: use of international diagnostic frameworks for mental illness, beliefs about causes of mental health concerns, and alternative treatments sought by clients. Interview data were coded and analyzed using consensual qualitative research and the constant comparative method. Usage of diagnostic frameworks varied widely. Providers believed frameworks accurately described many patients but neglected somatic symptoms and contained diagnoses that they had never witnessed. Providers described supernatural and spiritual attributions of mental illness as substantially impacting treatment decisions. Other notable attributions included physical illness, drug/alcohol use, and heredity. Providers reported their clients routinely sought treatment from traditional and spiritual healers prior to seeking care in the formal health system. This study builds a foundation for the ongoing development of the mental health system in northern Tanzania. Findings also support exploration of integrative models of care and task-shifting to incorporate traditional and spiritual beliefs.