"It is like an umbrella covering you, yet it does not protect you from the rain": a mixed methods study of insurance affordability, coverage, and financial protection in rural western Kenya.

Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly adopting mandatory social health insurance programs. In Kenya, mandatory social health insurance is being implemented through the national health insurer, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), but the level of coverage, affordability and financial risk protection provided by health insurance, especially for rural informal households, is unclear. This study provides as assessment of affordability of NHIF premiums, the need for financial risk protection, and the extent of financial protection provided by NHIF among rural informal workers in western Kenya.Methods We conducted a mixed methods study with a cross-sectional household survey (n = 1773), in-depth household interviews (n = 36), and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) with community stakeholders in rural western Kenya. Health insurance status was self-reported and households were categorized into insured and uninsured. Using survey data, we calculated the affordability of health insurance (unaffordability was defined as the monthly premium being > 5% of total household expenditures), out of pocket expenditures (OOP) on healthcare and its impact on impoverishment, and incidence of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE). Logistic regression was used to assess household characteristics associated with CHE.Results Only 12% of households reported having health insurance and was unaffordable for the majority of households, both insured (60%) and uninsured (80%). Rural households spent an average of 12% of their household budget on OOP, with both insured and uninsured households reporting high OOP spending and similar levels of impoverishment due to OOP. Overall, 12% of households experienced CHE, with uninsured households more likely to experience CHE. Participants expressed concerns about value of health insurance given its cost, availability and quality of services, and financial protection relative to other social and economic household needs. Households resulted to borrowing, fundraising, taking short term loans and selling family assets to meet healthcare costs.Conclusion Health insurance coverage was low among rural informal sector households in western Kenya, with health insurance premiums being unaffordable to most households. Even among insured households, we found high levels of OOP and CHE. Our results suggest that significant reforms of NHIF and health system are required to provide adequate health services and financial risk protection for rural informal households in Kenya.

'It was hell in the community': a qualitative study of maternal and child health care during health care worker strikes in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Health care workers in Kenya have launched major strikes in the public health sector in the past decade but the impact of strikes on health systems is under-explored. We conducted a qualitative study to investigate maternal and child health care and services during nationwide strikes by health care workers in 2017 from the perspective of pregnant women, community health volunteers (CHVs), and health facility managers. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) with three populations: women who were pregnant in 2017, CHVs, and health facility managers. Women who were pregnant in 2017 were part of a previous study. All participants were recruited using convenience sampling from a single County in western Kenya. Interviews and FGDs were conducted in English or Kiswahili using semi-structured guides that probed women's pregnancy experiences and maternal and child health services in 2017. Interviews and FGDs were audio-recorded, translated, and transcribed. Content analysis followed a thematic framework approach using deductive and inductive approaches. RESULTS: Forty-three women and 22 CHVs participated in 4 FGDs and 3 FGDs, respectively, and 8 health facility managers participated in interviews. CHVs and health facility managers were majority female (80%). Participants reported that strikes by health care workers significantly impacted the availability and quality of maternal and child health services in 2017 and had indirect economic effects due to households paying for services in the private sector. Participants felt it was the poor, particularly poor women, who were most affected since they were more likely to rely on public services, while CHVs highlighted their own poor working conditions in response to strikes by physicians and nurses. Strikes strained relationships and trust between communities and the health system that were identified as essential to maternal and child health care. CONCLUSION: We found that the impacts of strikes by health care workers in 2017 extended beyond negative health and economic effects and exacerbated fundamental inequities in the health system. While this study was conducted in one County, our findings suggest several potential avenues for strengthening maternal and child health care in Kenya that were highlighted by nationwide strikes in 2017.

The role of community health workers in the surgical cascade: a scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) can increase access to various primary healthcare services; however, their potential for improving surgical care is under-explored. We sought to assess the role of CHWs in the surgical cascade, defined as disease screening, linkage to operative care, and post-operative care. Given the well-described literature on CHWs and screening, we focused on the latter two steps of the surgical cascade. METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature. We searched for studies published in any language from January 1, 2000 to May 1, 2020 using electronic literature databases including Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. We included articles on CHW involvement in linkage to operative care and/or post-operative surgical care. Narrative and descriptive methods were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The initial search identified 145 articles relevant to steps in the surgical cascade. Ten studies met our inclusion criteria and were included for review. In linkage to care, CHWs helped increase surgical enrollment, provide resources for vulnerable patients, and build trust in healthcare services. Post-operatively, CHWs acted as effective monitors for surgical-site infections and provided socially isolated patients with support and linkage to additional services. The complex and wide-ranging needs of surgical patients illustrated the need to view surgical care as a continuum rather than a singular operative event. CONCLUSION: While the current literature is limited, CHWs were able to maneuver complex medical, cultural, and social barriers to surgical care by linking patients to counseling, education, and community resources, as well as post-operative infection prevention services. Future studies would benefit from more rigorous study designs and larger sample sizes to further elucidate the role CHWs can serve in the surgical cascade.

A retrospective study of the impact of health worker strikes on maternal and child health care utilization in western Kenya.

BACKGROUND: There have been dozens of strikes by health workers in Kenya in the past decade, but there are few studies of their impact on maternal and child health services and outcomes. We conducted a retrospective survey study to assess the impact of nationwide strikes by health workers in 2017 on utilization of maternal and child health services in western Kenya. METHODS: We utilized a parent study to enroll women who were pregnant in 2017 when there were prolonged strikes by health workers ("strike group") and women who were pregnant in 2018 when there were no major strikes ("control group"). Trained research assistants administered a close-ended survey to retrospectively collect demographic and pregnancy-related health utilization and outcomes data. Data were collected between March and July 2019. The primary outcomes of interest were antenatal care (ANC) visits, delivery location, and early child immunizations. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate risk ratios between the strike and control groups, adjusting for socioeconomic status, health insurance status, and clustering. Adjusted risk ratios (ARR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: Of 1341 women recruited in the parent study in 2017 (strike group), we re-consented 843 women (63%) to participate. Of 924 women recruited in the control arm of the parent study in 2018 (control group), we re-consented 728 women (79%). Women in the strike group were 17% less likely to attend at least four ANC visits during their pregnancy (ARR 0.83, 95%CI 0.74, 0.94) and 16% less likely to deliver in a health facility (ARR 0.84, 95%CI 0.76, 0.92) compared to women in the control group. Whether a child received their first oral polio vaccine did not differ significantly between groups, but children of women in the strike group received their vaccine significantly longer after birth (13 days versus 7 days, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We found that women who were pregnant during nationwide strikes by health workers in 2017 were less likely to receive WHO-recommended maternal child health services. Strategies to maintain these services during strikes are urgently needed.

Tablet-based disclosure counselling for HIV-infected children, adolescents, and their caregivers: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Overwhelmed, under-trained medical staff working in resource-limited settings need efficient resources for HIV disclosure counselling. The objective of this study was to describe providers' experiences using tablet computers for disclosure-related counselling with HIV-infected children and their caregivers in western Kenya, with additional perspectives from adolescents. METHODS: A qualitative study design was implemented at three HIV clinics in western Kenya (Bumala, Busia and Port Victoria) within the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) partnership. Twenty-one healthcare providers involved with paediatric disclosure were recruited and enrolled in the study. Initial interviews focused on understanding current disclosure practices and barriers. Tablets containing disclosure-related resources were distributed. Resources included short narrative videos created in this context to highlight issues relevant to child HIV disclosure. RESULTS: Providers reported tablets improved disclosure, child participation, and medication adherence. All reported that reviewing materials increased their knowledge and comfort with disclosure. The most frequently used materials were the narrative videos and an animated video explaining the importance of medication adherence. Time was a major barrier for using the tablet. Clinician self-education persisted at one-year follow-up. Adolescents expressed enjoyment from viewing the tablet resources and had a better understanding of the importance of medication adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Tablet computers containing resources for disclosure are an acceptable and potentially effective resource to help providers support families with disclosure. Further work is needed to train the clinical providers in using the resources in a developmentally appropriate manner, and to develop new resources on adolescent-specific and HIV-related topics.

The HIV Prison Paradox: Agency and HIV-Positive Women's Experiences in Jail and Prison in Alabama.

Incarcerated women face significant barriers to achieve continuous HIV care. We employed a descriptive, exploratory design using qualitative methods and the theoretical construct of agency to investigate participants' self-reported experiences accessing HIV services in jail, in prison, and post-release in two Alabama cities. During January 2014, we conducted in-depth interviews with 25 formerly incarcerated HIV-positive women. Two researchers completed independent coding, producing preliminary codes from transcripts using content analysis. Themes were developed iteratively, verified, and refined. They encompassed (a) special rules for HIV-positive women: isolation, segregation, insults, food rationing, and forced disclosure; (b) absence of counseling following initial HIV diagnosis; and (c) HIV treatment impediments: delays, interruption, and denial. Participants deployed agentic strategies of accommodation, resistance, and care-seeking to navigate the social world of prison and HIV services. Findings illuminate the "HIV prison paradox": the chief opportunities that remain unexploited to engage and re-engage justice-involved women in the HIV care continuum.

Test positivity for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infection among a cohort of individuals released from jail in Marion County, Indiana.

BACKGROUND: Individuals entering jails have high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STI), but there are few data on STI in the postincarceration period. This study aimed to describe rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infection among individuals released from Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana jails. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals incarcerated in Marion County, Indiana jails from 2003 to 2008 (n = 118,670). We linked county jail and public health data to identify individuals with positive STI test results in the 1 year after release from jail. Rates per 100,000 individuals and Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed for each STI, stratified by demographic, STI, and jail characteristics. RESULTS: We found significantly higher rates of STI in this cohort than in the general population, with rates in the 1 year after release being 2 to 7 times higher for chlamydia, 5 to 24 times higher for gonorrhea, and 19 to 32 times higher for syphilis compared with rates in the general population. Characteristics most associated with increased risk of a positive STI test result among this cohort were younger age for chlamydia and gonorrhea, older age for syphilis, black race for men, being jailed for prostitution for women, history of STI, and history of prior incarceration. CONCLUSIONS: This study found high rates of STIs among a cohort of individuals recently released from jail and identified a number of risk factors. Further study is needed to improve targeted STI testing and treatment among this high-risk population.

Epidemiology of Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Offenders Following Arrest or Incarceration.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to estimate rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among criminal offenders in the 1 year after arrest or release from incarceration. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of risk of having a positive STI (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) or incident-positive HIV test in the 1 year following arrest or incarceration in Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana. Participants were 247,211 individuals with arrest or incarceration in jail, prison, or juvenile detention between 2003 and 2008. RESULTS: Test positivity rates (per 100,000 and per year) were highest for chlamydia (2968) and gonorrhea (2305), and lower for syphilis (278) and HIV (61). Rates of positive STI and HIV were between 1.5 and 2.8 times higher in female than male participants and between 2.7 and 6.9 times higher for Blacks than Whites. Compared with nonoffenders, offenders had a relative risk of 3.9 for chlamydia, 6.6 for gonorrhea, 3.6 for syphilis, and 4.6 for HIV. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year period following arrest or release from incarceration represents a high-impact opportunity to reduce STI and HIV infection rates at a population level.

Comprehensive evaluation of caregiver-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence for HIV-infected children.

For HIV-infected children, adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is often assessed by caregiver report but there are few data on their validity. We conducted prospective evaluations with 191 children ages 0-14 years and their caregivers over 6 months in western Kenya to identify questionnaire items that best predicted adherence to ART. Medication Event Monitoring Systems(®) (MEMS, MWV/AARDEX Ltd., Switzerland) electronic dose monitors were used as external criterion for adherence. We employed a novel variable selection tool using the LASSO technique with logistic regression to identify items best correlated with dichotomized MEMS adherence (≥90 or <90 % doses taken). Nine of 48 adherence items were identified as the best predictors of adherence, including missed or late doses in the past 7 days, problems giving the child medicines, and caregiver-level factors like not being present at medication taking. These items could be included in adherence assessment tools for pediatric patients.

Characteristics of HIV-infected adolescents enrolled in a disclosure intervention trial in western Kenya.

Knowledge of one's own HIV status is essential for long-term disease management, but there are few data on how disclosure of HIV status to infected children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa is associated with clinical and psychosocial health outcomes. We conducted a detailed baseline assessment of the disclosure status, medication adherence, HIV stigma, depression, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and quality of life among a cohort of Kenyan children enrolled in an intervention study to promote disclosure of HIV status. Among 285 caregiver-child dyads enrolled in the study, children's mean age was 12.3 years. Caregivers were more likely to report that the child knew his/her diagnosis (41%) compared to self-reported disclosure by children (31%). Caregivers of disclosed children reported significantly more positive views about disclosure compared to caregivers of non-disclosed children, who expressed fears of disclosure related to the child being too young to understand (75%), potential psychological trauma for the child (64%), and stigma and discrimination if the child told others (56%). Overall, the vast majority of children scored within normal ranges on screenings for behavioral and emotional difficulties, depression, and quality of life, and did not differ by whether or not the child knew his/her HIV status. A number of factors were associated with a child's knowledge of his/her HIV diagnosis in multivariate regression, including older age (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1), better WHO disease stage (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-4.4), and fewer reported caregiver-level adherence barriers (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.4). While a minority of children in this cohort knew their HIV status and caregivers reported significant barriers to disclosure including fears about negative emotional impacts, we found that disclosure was not associated with worse psychosocial outcomes.

Reciprocal innovation: A new approach to equitable and mutually beneficial global health partnerships.

Global health researchers often discount mutual learning and benefit to address shared health challenges across high and low- and middle-income settings. Drawing from a 30-year partnership called AMPATH that started between Indiana University in the US and Moi University in Kenya, we describe an innovative approach and program for mutual learning and benefit coined 'reciprocal innovation.' Reciprocal innovation harnesses a bidirectional, co-constituted, and iterative exchange of ideas, resources, and innovations to address shared health challenges across diverse global settings. The success of AMPATH in Kenya, particularly in HIV/AIDS and community health, resulted in several innovations being 'brought back' to the US. To promote the bidirectional flow of learning and innovations, the Indiana CTSI reciprocal innovation program hosts annual meetings of multinational researchers and practitioners to identify shared health challenges, supports pilot grants for projects with reciprocal exchange and benefit, and produces educational and training materials for investigators. The transformative power of global health to address systemic health inequities embraces equitable and reciprocal partnerships with mutual benefit across countries and communities of academics, practitioners, and policymakers. Leveraging a long-standing partnership, the Indiana CTSI has built a reciprocal innovation program with promise to redefine global health for shared wellbeing at a global scale.

Improving maternal, newborn and child health outcomes through a community-based women's health education program: a cluster randomised controlled trial in western Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Community-based women's health education groups may improve maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH); however, evidence from sub-Saharan Africa is lacking. Chamas for Change (Chamas) is a community health volunteer (CHV)-led, group-based health education programme for pregnant and postpartum women in western Kenya. We evaluated Chamas' effect on facility-based deliveries and other MNCH outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 74 community health units in Trans Nzoia County. We included pregnant women who presented to health facilities for their first antenatal care visits by 32 weeks gestation. We randomised clusters 1:1 without stratification or matching; we masked data collectors, investigators and analysts to allocation. Intervention clusters were invited to bimonthly, group-based, CHV-led health lessons (Chamas); control clusters had monthly, individual CHV home visits (standard of care). The primary outcome was facility-based delivery at 12-month follow-up. We conducted an intention-to-treat approach with multilevel logistic regression models using individual-level data. RESULTS: Between 27 November 2017 and 8 March 2018, we enrolled 1920 participants from 37 intervention and 37 control clusters. A total of 1550 (80.7%) participants completed the study with 822 (82.5%) and 728 (78.8%) in the intervention and control arms, respectively. Facility-based deliveries improved in the intervention arm (80.9% vs 73.0%; risk difference (RD) 7.4%, 95% CI 3.0 to 12.5, OR=1.58, 95% CI 0.97 to 2.55, p=0.057). Chamas participants also demonstrated higher rates of 48 hours postpartum visits (RD 15.3%, 95% CI 12.0 to 19.6), exclusive breastfeeding (RD 11.9%, 95% CI 7.2 to 16.9), contraceptive adoption (RD 7.2%, 95% CI 2.6 to 12.9) and infant immunisation completion (RD 15.6%, 95% CI 11.5 to 20.9). CONCLUSION: Chamas participation was associated with significantly improved MNCH outcomes compared with the standard of care. This trial contributes robust data from sub-Saharan Africa to support community-based, women's health education groups for MNCH in resource-limited settings.Trial registration numberNCT03187873.

Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection among pregnant women at Elmhurst Hospital Center, Queens, New York.

BACKGROUND: Universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 infection on Labor and Delivery (L&D) units is a critical strategy to manage patient and health worker safety, especially in a vulnerable high-prevalence community. We describe the results of a SARS-CoV-2 universal screening program at the L&D Unit at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens, NY, a 545-bed public hospital serving a diverse, largely immigrant and low-income patient population and an epicenter of the global pandemic. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study. All pregnant women admitted to the L&D Unit of Elmhurst Hospital from March 29, 2020 to April 22, 2020 were included for analysis. The primary outcomes of the study were: (1) SARS-CoV-2 positivity among universally screened pregnant women, stratified by demographic characteristics, maternal comorbidities, and delivery outcomes; and (2) Symptomatic or asymptomatic presentation at the time of testing among SARS-CoV-2 positive women. A total of 126 obstetric patients were screened for SARS-CoV-2 between March 29 and April 22. Of these, 37% were positive. Of the women who tested positive, 72% were asymptomatic at the time of testing. Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to be of Hispanic ethnicity (unadjusted difference 24.4 percentage points, CI 7.9, 41.0) and report their primary language as Spanish (unadjusted difference 32.9 percentage points, CI 15.8, 49.9) than patients who tested negative. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study of data from a universal SARS-Cov-2 screening program implemented in the L&D unit of a safety-net hospital in Queens, New York, we found over one-third of pregnant women testing positive, the majority of those asymptomatic. The rationale for universal screening at the L&D Unit at Elmhurst Hospital was to ensure safety of patients and staff during an acute surge in SARS-Cov-2 infections through appropriate identification and isolation of pregnant women with positive test results. Women were roomed by their SARS-CoV-2 status given increasing space limitations. In addition, postpartum counseling was tailored to infection status. We quickly established discharge counseling and follow-up protocols tailored to their specific social needs. The experience at Elmhurst Hospital is instructive for other L&D units serving vulnerable populations and for pandemic preparedness.

Evaluating a patient-centred intervention to increase disclosure and promote resilience for children living with HIV in Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the impact of a patient-centred, culturally and age-appropriate disclosure counselling intervention on HIV disclosure rates among Kenyan children living with HIV. DESIGN: A prospective, clinic-cluster randomized trial. METHODS: We followed 285 child-caregiver dyads (children ages 10-14 years) attending eight HIV clinics (randomized to intervention or control) in Kenya. Participants at intervention clinics received intensive counselling with trained disclosure counsellors and culturally tailored materials, compared with control clinics with standard care. Disclosure was treated as a time-to-event outcome, measured on a discrete time scale, with assessments at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Mental health and behavioural outcomes were assessed using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Mean age was 12.3 years [standard deviation (SD) 1.5], 52% were girls, with average time-on-treatment of 4.5 years (SD 2.4). Between 0 and 6 months, disclosure prevalence increased from 47 to 58% in the control group and from 50 to 70% in the intervention group. Differences in disclosure were not sustained over the following 18 months. The prevalence of depression symptoms was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group at 6 months (odds ratio 2.07, 95% confidence interval 1.01-4.25); however, there was no evidence that these differences were sustained after 6 months. CONCLUSION: The clinic-based intervention increased disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV in the short-term, resulting in earlier disclosures, but had less clear impacts longer-term. Although well tailored interventions may support disclosure, children may still experience increased levels of depression symptoms immediately following disclosure.

Validation of a self-report adherence measurement tool among a multinational cohort of children living with HIV in Kenya, South Africa and Thailand.

INTRODUCTION: There are few data on adherence and low-cost measurement tools for children living with HIV. We collected prospective data on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among a multinational cohort of children to evaluate an adherence questionnaire. METHODS: We enrolled 319 children ages 0 to 16 years on ART in Kenya (n = 110), South Africa (n = 109) or Thailand (n = 100). Children were followed up for six months of adherence monitoring between March 2015 and August 2016 using Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS® ) with at least one viral load measure. At month 3 and 6, children or their caregivers were administered a 10-item adherence questionnaire. Repeated measures analyses were used to compare responses on questionnaire items to external adherence criteria: MEMS® dichotomized adherence (≥90% of doses taken vs. <90%), 48-hour MEMS® treatment interruptions and viral suppression (<1000 copies/mL). Items associated with outcomes (p < 0.10) were coefficient-weighted to calculate a total adherence score, which was tested in multivariate regression against MEMS® and viral suppression outcomes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Mean child age was 11 years and 54% were female. Children from Thailand (median age 14 years) were significantly older compared to Kenya (10 years) and South Africa (10 years). Prevalence of viral suppression was 97% in Thailand, 81% in South Africa and 69% in Kenya, while the prevalence of MEMS® adherence ≥90% was 57% in Thailand, 58% in South Africa and 40% in Kenya. Across sites, child-reported adherence using the questionnaire was significantly associated with dichotomized MEMS® adherence (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.4), 48-hour treatment interruptions (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.6), and viral suppression (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7 to 6.7). We did find, however, that different cut-points for the adherence score may be context-specific. For example, MEMS® non-adherent children in Kenya had a lower adherence score (0.98) compared to South Africa (1.77) or Thailand (1.58). CONCLUSIONS: We found suboptimal adherence to ART was common by multiple measures in this multi-country cohort of children. The short-form questionnaire demonstrated reasonable validity to screen for non-adherence in these diverse settings.

Unmet Mental Health and Social Service Needs of Formerly Incarcerated Women Living with HIV in the Deep South.

Due to the disproportionate burden of HIV among incarcerated women in the United States, jails and prisons have been identified as key sites for health service delivery. Recidivism remains high, potentially reflecting unmet mental health and social service needs of incarcerated women, especially during the postrelease adjustment period. However, little published research has investigated this possibility directly. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with previously incarcerated women living with HIV, and other key informants, and completed service-availability mapping in two Alabama cities. Key findings were: (a) discharge planning and postrelease support services to manage risky environments were absent, (b) postrelease services were concentrated in a few community-based organizations, (c) mental health and substance abuse treatment during re-entry was essential to prevent relapse, and (d) social support was crucial for postrelease adjustment. We propose a novel conceptual model with key steps to establish continuous care for previously incarcerated women living with HIV.

Neglected Population, Neglected Right: Children Living with HIV and the Right to Science.

The laws, language, and tools of human rights have been instrumental in expanding access to lifesaving treatment for people living with HIV. Children, however, remain a neglected population, as evidenced by inadequate child-specific and child-friendly HIV treatment options. In this article, we explore the right to science, a potentially powerful but underdeveloped right in international law, and its application to research and development for pediatric HIV treatment. Drawing on reports of human rights bodies and scholars and applying the human rights typology of state obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill, we argue that states have five core obligations related to research and development for child-specific and child-friendly treatment: (1) adopting a public goods approach to science and science policy; (2) including and protecting children in research activities; (3) adopting legal and policy frameworks to support research and development through public funding and private sector incentives; (4) promoting international cooperation and assistance; and (5) ensuring the participation of marginalized communities in decision-making processes. In concluding, we make a number of recommendations for states, human rights bodies, international organizations, civil society, and private industry to further develop and implement the right to science.

Qualitative Research Methods to Advance Research on Health Inequities Among Previously Incarcerated Women Living With HIV in Alabama.

Justice-involved HIV-positive women have poor health outcomes that constitute health inequities. Researchers have yet to embrace the range of qualitative methods to elucidate how psychosocial histories are connected to pathways of vulnerability to HIV and incarceration for this key population. We used life course narratives and intersubjectivity-predicated on interview dialogue-to investigate how familial and social settings established their social patterning of HIV, incarceration risk, and poor health. Working with two Alabama community-based organizations, we recruited and interviewed 24 HIV-positive cisgender women with cyclical incarceration. We analyzed the data by charting women's life histories and conducting iterative content analyses. Participants described chaotic home environments, marked by exposure to trauma in childhood. The majority experienced repeated sexual and physical abuse that went undiagnosed and untreated until adulthood. Adolescence and young adulthood were characterized by onset of substance use, violent intimate partnerships, and subsequent behavioral and mental health problems. In adulthood, risk behaviors persisted for decades and women lacked mental health treatment and social support. Life course narratives and intersubjectivity contributed to knowledge by affording agency to marginalized participants to reflect on and narrate their life stories; instilling needed trust for researchers to investigate the complex risk pathways and psychosocial histories with this population; illuminating the nature, timing, sequence, and frequency of events underlying women's vulnerability and exposure to HIV and incarceration; and clarifying that early shaping events in childhood are connected to later risk environments and behaviors in adolescence and adulthood, suggesting the need for earlier interventions than are typically proposed.

HIV Stigma: Perspectives from Kenyan Child Caregivers and Adolescents Living with HIV.

Stigma shapes all aspects of HIV prevention and treatment, yet there are limited data on how HIV-infected youth and their families are affected by stigma in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors conducted a qualitative study using focus group discussions among 39 HIV-infected adolescents receiving care at HIV clinics in western Kenya and 53 caregivers of HIV-infected children. Participants felt that while knowledge and access to treatment were increasing, many community members still held negative and inaccurate views about HIV, including associating it with immorality and believing in transmission by casual interactions. Stigma was closely related to a loss of social and economic support but also included internalized negative feelings about oneself. Participants identified treatment-related impacts of stigma, including nonadherence, nondisclosure of status to child or others, and increased mental health problems. Qualitative inquiry also provided insights into how to measure and reduce stigma among affected individuals and families.

Pharmacokinetics-based adherence measures for antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected Kenyan children.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medication adherence measures do not account for the pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of the drugs, potentially misrepresenting true therapeutic exposure. METHODS: In a population of HIV-infected Kenyan children on antiretroviral therapy including nevirapine (NVP), we used a one-compartment model with previously established PK parameters and Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS®)-recorded dosing times to estimate the mean plasma concentration of NVP (Cp) in individual patients during 1 month of follow-up. Intended NVP concentration (Cp') was calculated under a perfectly followed dosing regimen and frequency. The ratio between the two (R = Cp/Cp') characterized the patient's NVP exposure as compared to intended level. Smaller R values indicated poorer adherence. We validated R by evaluating its association with MEMS®-defined adherence, CD4%, and spot-check NVP plasma concentrations assessed at 1 month. RESULTS: In data from 152 children (82 female), children were mean age 7.7 years (range 1.5-14.9) and on NVP an average of 2.2 years. Mean MEMS® adherence was 79%. The mean value of R was 1.11 (SD 0.37). R was positively associated with MEMS® adherence (p < 0.0001), and lower-than-median R values were significantly associated with lower NVP drug concentrations (p = 0.0018) and lower CD4% (p = 0.0178), confirming a smaller R value showed poorer adherence. CONCLUSION: The proposed adherence measures, R, captured patient drug-taking behaviours and PK properties.