Introduction of an Alcohol-Related Electronic Screening and Brief Intervention (eSBI) Program to Reduce Hazardous Alcohol Consumption in Namibia's Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Program.

Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in Namibia and is associated with poor adherence and retention in care among people on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Electronic screening and brief interventions (eSBI) are effective in reducing alcohol consumption in various contexts. We used a mixed methods approach to develop, implement, and evaluate the introduction of an eSBI in two ART clinics in Namibia. Of the 787 participants, 45% reported some alcohol use in the past 12 months and 25% reported hazardous drinking levels. Hazardous drinkers were more likely to be male, separated/widowed/divorced, have a monthly household income > $1000 NAD, and report less than excellent ART adherence. Based on qualitative feedback from participants and providers, ART patients using the eSBI for the first time found it to be a positive and beneficial experience. However, we identified several programmatic considerations that could improve the experience and yield in future implementation studies.

Second nationwide anti-tuberculosis drug resistance survey in Namibia.

SETTING: Namibia ranks among the 30 high TB burden countries worldwide. Here, we report results of the second nationwide anti-TB drug resistance survey.OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and trends of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Namibia.METHODS: From 2014 to 2015, patients with presumptive TB in all regions of Namibia had sputum subjected to mycobacterial culture and phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) for rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and streptomycin if positive on smear microscopy and/or Xpert MTB/RIF.RESULTS: Of the 4124 eligible for culture, 3279 (79.5%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated. 3126 (95%) had a first-line DST completed (2392 new patients, 699 previously treated patients, 35 with unknown treatment history). MDR-TB was detected in 4.5% (95%CI 3.7-5.4) of new patients, and 7.9% (95%CI 6.0-10.1) of individuals treated previously. MDR-TB was significantly associated with previous treatment (OR 1.8, 95%CI 1.3-2.5) but not with HIV infection, sex, age or other demographic factors. Prior treatment failure demonstrated the strongest association with MDR-TB (OR 17.6, 95%CI 5.3-58.7).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MDR-TB among new TB patients in Namibia is high and, compared with the first drug resistance survey, has decreased significantly among those treated previously. Namibia should implement routine screening of drug resistance among all TB patients.