Perceived HIV-related stigma among university students in South Africa: implications for HIV testing.

HIV-related stigma, and particularly perceived stigma, has a negative impact across the HIV care continuum. This study adds to our understanding of stigma by assessing how perceived stigma varies from one context to another and how such differences are associated with the location where individuals would prefer an HIV test. We used self-administered questionnaire data (n = 378) obtained from a convenience sample of students (18 years and older) attending a tertiary education institution in Durban, South Africa. Perceived stigma in the university environment was compared to perceived stigma in the home community environment. Multiple logistic regression analysis tested whether a higher level of perceived stigma in one setting was associated with a preference for HIV testing in the other setting. While levels of symbolic stigma and discrimination were low, a large proportion of the sample perceived that people living with HIV experience some form of stigmatisation in the home community and university environments (47% vs 41%, p = 0.09). A total of 31% reported less perceived stigma in the university environment. Students who perceived less stigma in the university environment were significantly more likely to report a preference for HIV testing at the university clinic rather than at a clinic in their community (aOR: 2.03; p < 0.01). Perceptions common across settings that people living with HIV experience stigmatisation are of great concern, especially for efforts to increase demand for HIV testing among young people. Results suggest that HIV-testing services in environments perceived to be less stigmatising than home communities could provide preferred alternatives for HIV testing.

A retrospective 5-year review of rubella in South Africa prior to the introduction of a rubella-containing vaccine.

South Africa has yet to introduce a rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) into its Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI). Here we evaluated the incidence of laboratory-confirmed rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) cases over the years 2015 to 2019, to document the epidemiology of rubella and CRS within South Africa prior to a RCV introduction. This retrospective study evaluated the number of laboratory-confirmed rubella cases reported through the national febrile rash surveillance system. A positive test for rubella immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies was considered a confirmed rubella case. For CRS cases, we reported laboratory-confirmed CRS cases collected from 28 sentinel-sites from all nine provinces of South Africa. From 2015-2019, 19 773 serum samples were tested for rubella IgM antibodies, 6 643 (33.6%) were confirmed rubella cases. Rubella was seasonal, with peaks in spring (September to November). Case numbers were similar between males (n = 3 239; 50.1%) and females (n = 3 232; 49.9%). The highest burden of cases occurred in 2017 (n = 2 526; 38%). The median age was 5 years (IQR: 3-7 years). Importantly, of females with rubella, 5.0% (161 of 3 232) of the cases were among women of reproductive age (15-44 years). A total of 62 CRS cases were reported, the mortality rate was 12.9% (n = 8), and the most common birth defect was congenital heart disease. In conclusion, rubella is endemic in South Africa. Children below the age of 10 years were the most affected, however, rubella was also reported among women of reproductive age. The baseline data represented here provides insight into the burden of rubella and CRS in South Africa prior to the introduction of a RCV, and can enable planning of RCV introduction into the South African EPI.

Changes in second-line regimen durability and continuity of care in relation to national ART guideline changes in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) guideline changes on the durability of second-line ART and continuity of care. This study examines predictors of early drug substitutions and treatment interruptions using a cohort analysis of HIV positive adults switched to second-line ART between January 2004 and September 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. METHODS: The main outcomes were having a drug substitution or treatment interruption in the first 24 months on second-line ART. Kaplan Meiers analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify predictors of drug substitutions and treatment interruptions. RESULTS: Of 3028 patients on second-line ART, 353 (11.7%) had a drug substitution (8.6 per 100PY, 95% CI: 7.8-9.6) and 260 (8.6%) had a treatment interruption (6.3 per 100PY, 95% CI: 5.6-7.1). While treatment interruptions decreased from 32.5 per 100PY for the 2004 cohort to 2.3 per 100PY for the 2013 cohort, the rates of drug substitutions steadily increased, peaking at an incidence of 26.7 per 100PY for the 2009 cohort and then decreased to 4.2 per 100PY in the 2011 cohort. Compared to the 2004 to 2008 cohorts, the hazard of early drug substitutions was highest among patients switched to AZT + ddI + LPVr in 2009 to 2010 (aHR 5.1, 95% CI: 3.4-7.1) but remained low over time among patients switched to TDF + 3TC/FTC + LPVr or AZT/ABC + 3TC + LPVr. The main common predictor of both treatment interruption and drug substitution was drug toxicity. CONCLUSION: Our results show a rapid transition between 2004 and 2010 ART guidelines and concurrent improvements in continuity of care among second-line ART patients. Drug toxicity reporting and monitoring systems need improvements to inform timely regimen changes and ensure that patients remain in care. However, reasons for drug substitutions should be closely monitored to ensure that patients do not run out of treatment options in the future.

HIV infection in high school students in rural South Africa: role of transmissions among students.

In South Africa, adolescents constitute a key population at high risk of HIV acquisition. However, little is known about HIV transmission among students within schools. This study was undertaken to assess the risk factors for HIV infection and the extent of transmission among rural high school students. Between February and May 2012, consenting students from five randomly selected public sector high schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal participated in an anonymous cross-sectional survey. Dried blood spot samples were collected and tested for HIV. ß-Human chorionic gonadotropin (ßHCG) levels were measured in females for pregnancy. Family circumstances as well as sociodemographic and behavioral factors were assessed as potential risk factors. A subset (106/148, 72%) of HIV-positive samples underwent gag p17p24 sequencing for phylogenetic analysis. A total of 3,242 students (81.7% of enrolled students) participated. HIV prevalence was 6.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.9-9.8%] in girls and 2.7% (CI 1.6-3.8%) in boys [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.0, CI 2.4-3.8; p<0.001]. HIV prevalence increased from 4.6% (95% CI 1.9-7.3) in the 12- to 15-year-old girls to 23.1% (95% CI 7.7-38.5) in girls over 20 years, while in boys HIV prevalence increased from 2.7% (95% CI 0.6-4.9) in the 12- to15-year-old boys to 11.1% (95% CI 2.7-19.4) in those over 20 years. Sequencing of samples obtained from students revealed only two clusters, suggesting within-school transmission and three interschool clusters, while the remainder was most likely acquired from sources other than those currently found in students attending the school concerned. HIV prevalence in both girls (aOR=3.6, CI 2.9-4.5; p<0.001) and boys (aOR=2.8, CI 1.2-6.2; p=0.01) was higher in those without a living biological mother. The high burden of HIV infection among students was not associated with intraschool transmission in this rural setting. Lack of a living parent is an important factor defining high risk in this group of adolescents.