Postnatal clubs for integrated postnatal care in Johannesburg, South Africa: a qualitative assessment of implementation.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has reported challenges in retaining women in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs postnatally. Due to the success of PMTCT in the antenatal period, proportionally more infant transmissions now occur after delivery. The Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Postnatal Club (PNC) model allows for integrated postnatal care and support. Anova Health Institute implemented the model in primary health facilities in Johannesburg as part of a planned national scale-up. We aimed to assess the implementation of these PNCs. METHODS: We used the RE-AIM (Reach, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework to assess implementation success and explore factors influencing implementation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 PNC staff, both clinicians and lay counsellors, using convenience sampling, from 12 facilities in Johannesburg. Data were analysed thematically using the RE-AIM framework. RESULTS: PNC were perceived to have many benefits for postnatal clients and their infants: providers reported reduced waiting times, reduced number of clinic visits and that PNC provided clients with a space to form cohesive group dynamics thereby contributing to retention and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. However, it was found that lacking resources (e.g., space, medical equipment, staff) negatively impacted reach, implementation and sustainability. At times the PNC model was altered to accommodate the availability of resources (e.g., counselling mothers individually). Additionally, providers expressed concerns about lack of stakeholder adoption and emphasized the importance of involving facility leadership for successful integration of the model into routine primary healthcare. CONCLUSION: Our study found incomplete implementation of PNC in most of the participating facilities attributed to lack of resources and stakeholder buy-in. This underscores the need for increased support at management level to ensure sustainability. Effective collaboration between all stakeholders would allow better use of existing resources. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether all components of the model need to be implemented fully to ensure optimal outcomes, and to identify implementation strategies to facilitate scale-up.

High rate of loss to follow-up and virological non-suppression in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy highlights the need to improve quality of care in South Africa.

Provision of high-quality care and ensuring retention of children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality. Virological non-suppression (≥1000 viral copies/ml) is an indication of suboptimal HIV care and support. This retrospective cohort study included ART-naïve children who initiated first-line ART between July 2015 and August 2017 in Johannesburg and rural Mopani district. Of 2739 children started on ART, 29.5% (807/2739) were lost to care at the point of analysis in August 2018. Among retained children, overall virological non-suppression was 30.2% (469/1554). Virological non-suppression was associated with higher loss to care 30.3% (229/755) compared with suppressed children (9.7%, 136/1399, P < 0.001). Receiving treatment in Mopani was associated with virological non-suppression in children under 5 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.4), 5-9 years (aOR 1.8 (1.1-3.0)) and 10-14 years (aOR 1.9 (1.2-2.8)). Virological non-suppression was associated with lower CD4 count in children 5-9 years (aOR 2.1 (1.1-4.1)) and 10-14 years (aOR 2.1 (1.2-3.8)). Additional factors included a shorter time on ART (<5 years aOR 1.8-3.7 (1.3-8.2)), and male gender (5-9 years, aOR1.5 (1.01-2.3)), and receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (10-14 years aOR 2.0 (1.2-3.6)). In conclusion, virological non-suppression is a factor of subsequent programme loss in both regions, and factors affecting the quality of care need to be addressed to achieve the third UNAIDS 90 in paediatric HIV.

Utilization of Sexually Transmitted Infection Services at 2 Health Facilities Targeting Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Africa: A Retrospective Analysis of Operational Data.

BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a key population, particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, but there are limited data on health programs targeting MSM in Africa. This study aims to describe the utilization of nongovernmental organization-supported sexual health services for MSM at 2 public sector health facilities in Johannesburg, South Africa. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed routine data over the period of January 2014 to June 2016. We report on service utilization for STI syndromes, HIV testing, and the antiretroviral therapy (ART) program. RESULTS: Some 5796 men visited the facilities. Seven thousand one hundred eighty-eight STI episodes were managed, 68.2% (4903 episodes) of which were classified as male urethritis and 9.8% (704 episodes) as genital ulcers. Positivity yield for first-time HIV tests was 38.0% (205 positive test results) in MSM, compared with 14.1% (471 positive test results) in other men. At the end of the study, there were 1090 clients on ART, and 2-year retention was 82% (95% confidence interval, 78%-85%). There was no difference in retention between MSM and other men (P = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to show that sexual health services targeting MSM in Africa have managed to attract MSM and other men in need of STI and HIV care. The observed high HIV testing yield among MSM illustrates the relevance of MSM-focused services in the South African public health sector, and the good retention on ART demonstrates that high-quality care can be provided to MSM in our setting.

Using fatherhood to engage men in HIV services via maternal, neonatal and child health entry points in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: In South Africa, uptake of HIV services remains lower amongst men compared to women, resulting in poorer clinical outcomes. Several factors contribute to this situation, including stigma, confidentiality concerns, inconvenient clinic operating hours, fear of an HIV-positive test result, and long-waiting times. Additionally, women living with HIV are frequently identified whilst accessing other routine services, particularly antenatal and well-baby care. Novel approaches and strategies are needed to increase men's routine utilization of health services. For many men, fatherhood is an important part of being a man. Maternal, neonatal and child health services (MNCH) present an opportunity to improve male engagement with routine health services and subsequent uptake of integrated HIV care. However, men's involvement in MNCH services remains low. This study explored the concept of fatherhood and factors influencing men's involvement in MNCH services. METHODS: This was an exploratory, qualitative study. Three focus group discussions (FGDs), involving 33 male participants, were conducted with men living in communities across Johannesburg. Men were recruited by male peer counsellors, employed by Anova Health Institute under the men's health programme. Data was collected between May and July 2021. Authors had no access to information that identify individual participants during or after data collection. Data were transcribed inductively and analyzed thematically using NVivo software. RESULTS: The study found that male participants were eager to be involved in MNCH services. They valued fatherhood and were making concerted efforts to be involved fathers. However, multiple factors influenced men's involvement in MNCH services. Barriers included sociocultural norms, employment commitments, boredom and disengagement while waiting for services, negative staff attitudes and long waiting times. Participants identified multiple facilitators that would encourage their attendance at MNCH services including positive staff attitudes, quick service, active engagement, positive affirmations by health care workers and the visibility of male health workers' in MNCH spaces. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights that men strongly desire to be involved fathers and included in MNCH services. HIV programmes should support this and harness it to actively engage men in HIV services. However, to encourage greater male involvement in MNCH, socio-economic and healthcare system related factors need to be addressed when designing strategies that create more inclusive, family-orientated, male-friendly, and integrated MNCH services.

A randomized trial of 'fresh start' text messaging to improve return to care in people with HIV who missed appointments in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Treatment interruptions are a barrier to successful antiretroviral therapy (ART). 'Fresh start messages', which leverage significant days on the calendar (e.g., new year, public holiday) in order to prompt action, have the potential to encourage people with HIV (PWH) to return to care. We evaluated a 'fresh start' intervention (text messages) to increase return to care in PWH who had missed their last appointment. DESIGN: A three arm 1 : 1:1 individual randomised controlled trial. METHODS: We randomized adults in Capricorn District who had missed ART appointments by >28 days to: no text message; unframed messages (fresh start not mentioned); or framed messages (fresh start mentioned). Randomization was stratified by treatment interruption duration and across two holidays (Youth Day, Mandela Day). The primary outcome was an ART-related clinic visit at ≤45 days of the first message. RESULTS: 9143 participants were randomised. For Youth Day, 1474 and 1468 were sent unframed and framed messages respectively, with 13.4% sent these messages having an ART visit vs. 11.9% not sent a message [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-1.4, P -value = 0.075]. For Mandela Day, 1336 and 1334 were sent unframed and framed messages respectively, with 6.7% sent these messages having an ART-related clinic visit vs. 5.4% not sent a message (aOR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.6; P -value = 0.100). CONCLUSIONS: Low-cost text messages sent around a 'fresh start' date may increase the likelihood that patients who miss appointments return to care. This study suggests the potential of text messaging for motivating return to care.

Outcomes of a model for re-testing HIV-negative index contacts in Sedibeng, South Africa.

Background: Index contact testing is an HIV case-finding approach that elicits sexual or needle-sharing partners, as well as biological children, of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and offers them HIV testing services. Objectives: We aim to describe the results of an innovative project in Sedibeng District that expanded index testing by retesting previously negative contacts and incorporating status-neutral testing. Method: We used registers to identify people who previously tested HIV-negative through index testing from March 2019 to September 2021. The individuals were telephonically traced and offered HIV retesting. Data were collected on a weekly basis using REDCap®. We monitored the number of individuals called, those who came back for retest, and their HIV results. Results: Fifteen counsellors contacted 968 people over 12 months. Forty-eight percent (462 out of 968) of those called returned for testing. Of those, 121 (26%) tested positive. Overall, 66 out of 276 (24%) men with HIV and 55 out of 186 (30%) women with HIV were identified and linked to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Fifty-seven percent (194 out of 341) of clients who tested HIV-negative were offered, and 124 out of 194 (64%) initiated, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). All individuals who retested HIV-positive had a new diagnosis; none reported having had another positive test result between the original negative and the positive retest. Conclusion: Revisiting index clients with a previous negative HIV test result is worthwhile, creating an opportunity to identify undiagnosed PLHIV and high-risk people for PrEP. The high positivity rate highlights the importance of providing a sero-neutral approach to HIV testing, including integrating prevention messaging and linkage to PrEP services.

Workplace wellbeing among health care workers providing HIV services in primary care in Johannesburg: a mixed methods study.

Background: Burnout among Health Care workers (HCWs) impacts on provider-patient relations and quality of care. Anova Health Institute (Anova) is a large South African non-profit organization and PEPFAR/USAID implementing partner. We conducted a study among HCWs providing HIV-related services in primary care settings in Johannesburg, South Africa, to examine levels of burnout, understand factors affecting workplace wellbeing, and explore strategies to prevent burnout. Methods: We used a sequential mixed-method approach. Data were collected between February and April 2022. The first phase consisted of a survey using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) to measure levels of burnout. We then interviewed a subset of survey participants to understand the experiences that may affect wellbeing. We used descriptive statistics to quantify burnout rates for each MBI dimension (emotional exhaustion, personal accomplishment, and depersonalization). Qualitative data analysis was guided by the Job Demands-Resources Framework that explores the interactions between demands and resources in the workplace. Results: Survey findings (n = 194) revealed that although depersonalization rates were low at 6%, 21% of participants had high emotional exhaustion and 24% reported low professional accomplishment. Less than half (41%, n = 80) had scores in the high category for any one of the three MBI-HSS dimensions. The MBI-HSS dimensions differed significantly by type of work and job title. Roving positions (HCW working in more than one health facility) were more likely to experience higher emotional exhaustion and lower professional accomplishment. Qualitative findings (n = 25) indicate that a number of job demands, including high workload, inadequate mental health support, and challenging relationships with stakeholders, had a negative effect on HCWs' wellbeing. However, finding meaningfulness in their work, working as a team, and practicing autonomy were experienced as resources that reduced the negative effect of these demands. Conclusion: While measured burnout syndrome rates were low, various experiences negatively impacted at least one in five HCW. We identified key resources that provided buffering against workplace stressors. We recommend that as well as addressing key drivers of burnout, access to these resources should be fostered, for example by strengthening interventions that offer recognition, and promoting team interactions through social activities and support groups.

A Single Question on Maternal HIV Status Can Improve Identification of Children Living With HIV in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Screening tools to improve identification of children living with HIV (CLHIV) have been validated and used in various settings. The aim of our study was to optimize a screening tool for Primary Healthcare Clinics (PHCs) in South Africa (SA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PHCs in Johannesburg and Mopani Districts, between June 2021 and June 2022. Children 5-14 years of age with HIV negative or unknown status accompanied by their mothers, or appropriate caregivers, were enrolled. Demographic data, responses to the screening tool questions, and HIV test results were captured. Logistic regression modeling was used to optimize an existing 10-item screening tool, and sensitivity, specificity, and number needed to test (NNT) used to choose the final tool. RESULTS: We enrolled 14,147 children in the study, with 62 children testing HIV positive (HIV positivity of 0.4%). The 10-item tool with a single positive response had a sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 43.3%. An optimal combination of 5-items with two positive responses had the lowest NNT of 72, 82.3% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity. Maternal HIV status alone, HIV positive or unknown, had a 95.2% sensitivity, 65.0% specificity and NNT of 84. The 1-item tool only would have missed 5% of CLHIV (N = 3) compared with the 5-item tool that missed 18% (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS: A 1-item screening tool asking about maternal HIV status can improve efficiency of testing of children in primary healthcare facilities in SA and improve identification of CLHIV who are not on treatment.

Outcomes of a model integrating tuberculosis testing into COVID-19 services in South Africa.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a reordering of healthcare priorities. Health resources were turned to the screening and diagnosis of COVID-19, leading to a reduction in tuberculosis (TB) testing and treatment initiation. An innovative model that integrated TB and COVID-19 services was adopted at primary care facilities in Johannesburg Health District, Gauteng. This short report illustrates results from this model's implementation in two facilities. Patients were screened for COVID-19 at a single point of entry and separated according to screening result. Self-reported human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, symptom, and symptom duration were then used to determine TB risk amongst those screening positive for COVID-19. Data from clinical records were extracted. Approximately 9% of patients with a positive symptom screen (n = 76) were sent for a TB test and 84% were sent for a COVID-19 test. Amongst those sent for a TB test, 8% (n = 6) had TB detected, and amongst those sent for a COVID-19 test, 18% (n = 128) were positive. Amongst those with COVID-19-related symptoms, 15% (n = 130) presented with a cough or fever and were known HIV positive and 121 (93%) of these were sent for a COVID-19 test and 31 (24%) were sent for a TB test. Given the HIV prevalence and symptoms in our study, our results show lower-than-expected TB tests conducted.Contribution: Our study documents the outcomes of an innovative way to combine operational workflows for TB and COVID-19. This provides a starting point for countries seeking to integrate TB and COVID-19 screening and testing.

Outcomes of a Telephonic Postnatal Intervention for Mothers and Babies in Mopani District, Limpopo, South Africa.

Background: The postnatal period is a critical period for the health of both mother and infant. Studies show that postnatal care reduces neonatal mortality and other adverse mother and child health outcomes. While the World Health Organization recommends four postnatal care contacts, South African guidelines only specify three, excluding a 7-14-day post-birth contact. This study aimed to assess whether a telephonic contact at 7-14 days following delivery had any effect on use of additional postnatal services. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used to address the study objectives. Two groups of new mothers were randomly allocated to either receive the 7-14-day telephonic contact or not from a research nurse. Data for this study was collected at Maphutha L Malatjie Hospital (MLMH). Descriptive analysis was performed first, then a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with access to other health care services. Results: A total of 882 mothers were recruited, 854 (97%) were classified as high risk, 28 (3%) were classified as low risk. 417 (49%) of the high risk received the 7-14-day call (intervention group) whilst the remainder of 437 (51%) from the high risk plus all mothers classified as low risk (28) did not receive the call (control group). 686 (78%) of all mothers received the 3 month follow up call. The call showed that 17 mothers from the control group and 10 mothers from the intervention group accessed other healthcare services. We find that hypertension (3.28; 1.06 -10.10), mental health risk (2.82; 1.25 -6.38), PV bleeding during pregnancy (18.33; 1.79-187.61), problem during labor (4.40; 1.280-15.13) were positively associated with access to other health services, with statistically significant associations (p-value < 0.05). We found statistically insignificant associations between receiving the 7-14-day call and accessing other health care services. Conclusion: The 7-14-day call had no statistically significant impact on access to other health services, however, high levels of satisfaction with the call may point to an unmet need for care at this time. It is important to investigate other innovative solutions to postnatal care improvement in South Africa.

Exploring healthcare workers' experiences of managing patients returning to HIV care in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Retention of patients in HIV care is a critical barrier to reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals in South Africa. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute launched a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted antiretroviral therapy to return to care. The Welcome Back campaign included training of health care workers and implementation of Médecins Sans Frontiers Welcome Services principles. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare workers managing patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy following training, including barriers and facilitators to implementation. METHODS: Data were collected from six clinics. This study consisted of three components: 1) surveys; 2) semi-structured interviews and 3) reflexive feedback sessions. Each component covered staff attitudes and facility management of patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy. A descriptive analysis was conducted of survey responses. A thematic approach was used to analyze interviews. RESULTS: Thirty-six healthcare workers completed the survey and interview. Following analysis, feedback sessions were conducted with 99 healthcare workers. Twenty-two (61%) participants were lay counsellors. The majority of healthcare workers reported managing patients returning to care appropriately. However, barriers persisted: 9 (25%) responded that patients were sent to the back of the queue and that service providers continued to insist on transfer letters. Twenty-five (69%) responded they had seen/heard other healthcare workers act poorly towards returning patients after training. Many poor behaviours from healthcare workers stemmed from frustration with the clinical flow and their overburdened work environment. Many participants (78%) believed that the Welcome Back approach helped improve client-provider relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The Welcome Back approach supported healthcare workers to improve service provision for patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy. Further support is needed to help providers consistently deliver services in line with the Welcome Back approach. Institutional level changes are required to implement patient-centred and trust-based models of care.

Supporting retention in HIV care through a holistic, patient-centred approach: a qualitative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: HIV is a complex disease which affects different facets (social, economic, physical, emotional and spiral) of an individual's life, making the goals of retention in care and adherence to treatment difficult to achieve. Holistic patient-centred approaches to providing care for people living with HIV bind together economic, social, emotional and physiological aspects and have the potential to improve retention in care and ART adherence. Case management is a holistic, patient-centred approach which is increasingly being implemented in the management of chronic illnesses. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with key informants (retention officers and social auxiliary workers) and patients. A total of 60 patients and 17 KIs (11 retention officers and 6 social auxiliary workers) participated in the study. The study was conducted in Johannesburg District, Gauteng province, South Africa. Key informants (KIs) and patients were drawn from 8 health facilities located in four management clusters of the district. RESULTS: The findings identified facilitators and barriers to adherence and retention in care, and demonstrated that case management offered holistic, patient-centred services which patients considered to be beneficial to their well-being and helped them overcome some of these barriers. The success of case management was driven by its holistic and patient-centred approach, which extended the focus to patients' non-clinical needs which impact on their quality of life. Complex interacting barriers and facilitators at different levels influenced implementation of the model and its outcomes. CONCLUSION: Holistic approaches such as case management have a strong potential to improve retention in care and adherence to ART. HIV is a complex disease which impacts different facets of an individual's life, hence requires holistic care to address all facets. Health systems need to transition towards holistic care to ensure that some patients do not slip through the cracks, improve patient outcomes and efficiency.

Risk profile of postnatal women and their babies attending a rural district hospital in South Africa.

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality remain unacceptably high and inequitably distributed in South Africa, with the postnatal period being a dangerous time for both mother and baby. The aim of this paper is to describe the risk factors for poor postnatal outcomes, including postnatal mental health disorders, in a population of postnatal women and their babies utilising rural district hospital services in Limpopo Province, with a focus on HIV. We also describe health care provider compliance with relevant guidelines. Methods: All women discharged from the postnatal ward of the district hospital who consented to participate were enrolled. A research nurse used a structured questionnaire to collect data about sociodemographic information, pregnancy and pre-existing conditions, complications during labour and birth, pregnancy outcomes and mental health risk factors. Results: The questionnaire was completed for 882 women at the time of discharge. Only 354 (40.2%) of participants had completed secondary education, and 105 (11.9%) reported formal employment. Chronic hypertension was recorded in 20 women (2.3%), with an additional 49 (5.6%) developing a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy. HIV prevalence was 22.8%. 216 women (24.5%) had a mental health risk factor, with 40 reporting more than one (4.5%). Having no income, no antenatal care, having HIV and any hypertensive disorder were significantly associated with a positive mental health risk screen in multivariable analysis. There were 31 stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (3.5%), and 119 babies (13.4%) were born at a low birth weight. Stillbirth or early neonatal death was significantly associated with no antenatal care in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Women and babies in this study experienced multiple risk factors for poor outcomes in the postpartum period. Postnatal care should be strengthened in order to address the dominant risks to mothers and babies, including socioeconomic challenges, HIV and hypertension, and risks to mental health. Tools to identify mothers and babies at risk of postnatal complications would allow limited resources to be allocated where they are most needed.

Why do patients interrupt and return to antiretroviral therapy? Retention in HIV care from the patient's perspective in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Retention in care is required for optimal clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although most PLHIV in South Africa know their HIV status, only 70% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Improved retention in care is needed to get closer to sustained ART for all. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute conducted a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted ART to return to care. METHODS: Data collection was conducted in one region of Johannesburg. This mixed methods study consisted of two components: 1) healthcare providers entered data into a structured tool for all patients re-initiating ART at nine clinics over a nine-month period, 2) Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-set of patients. Responses to the tool were analysed descriptively, we report frequencies, and percentages. A thematic approach was used to analyse participant experiences in-depth. RESULTS: 562 people re-initiated ART, 66% were women, 75% were 25-49 years old. The three most common reasons for disengagement from care were mobility (30%), ART related factors (15%), and time limitations due to work (10%). Reasons for returning included it becoming easier to attend the clinic (34%) and worry about not being on ART (19%). Mobile interview participants often forgot their medical files and expressed that managing their ART was difficult because they often needed a transfer letter to gain access to ART at another facility. On the other hand, clinics that had flexible and extended hours facilitated retention in care. CONCLUSION: In both the quantitative data, and the qualitative analysis, changing life circumstances was the most prominent reason for disengagement from care. Health services were not perceived to be responsive to life changes or mobility, leading to disengagement. More client-centred and responsive health services should improve retention on ART.

CD4 testing after initiation of antiretroviral therapy: Analysis of routine data from the South African HIV programme.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV (PLHIV) who have low CD4 counts require advanced clinical care (ACC) to minimise morbidity and mortality risk. These patients include immunological non-responders (INRs) with low CD4 counts despite a suppressed viral load. OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of patients with low CD4 counts after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and to describe INRs within that group. METHODS: Routine Three Interlinked Electronic Registers.Net (TIER.Net) data from four South African districts were analysed for adult PLHIV on ART > 12 months. Immunological non-responders were defined as patients on ART > 4 years who were virally suppressed (viral load < 1000 copies/mL) with a CD4 count ≤ 350 cell/mm3. RESULTS: Baseline CD4 was recorded for 80.9% of the 869 571 patients newly initiating ART, with 37.2% of those starting ART since 2017 having baseline counts ≤ 200 cells/mm3. Amongst all 1 178 190 patients on ART, only 46.5% had a CD4 test after ART initiation and of these, 14.3% had CD4 ≤ 200 cells/mm3. This proportion was highest amongst patients on ART ≤ 2 years (19.7%) (p < 0.001). Amongst virally suppressed patients, 20.0% were INRs. Immunological non-response was significantly more likely amongst patients on second-line ART (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.79), those aged 35-45 and ≥ 45 years (aOR 1.15 and 1.50, respectively), males (aOR 2.28) and patients with confirmed TB (aOR 2.49), and was significantly less likely in cases with higher baseline CD4 count (aOR 0.35). CONCLUSION: CD4 testing subsequent to ART initiation is poorly implemented and there is a notable proportion of patients with low CD4 counts. Guidelines regarding CD4 testing and ACC need to be more widely implemented to identify patients with low CD4 counts and improve their outcomes.

Same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation for HIV-infected adults in South Africa: Analysis of routine data.

Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been recommended to improve ART programme outcomes in South Africa since August 2017. This study assessed implementation of SDI over time in two South African districts, describing the characteristics of same-day initiators and evaluating the impact of SDI on retention in ART care. Routine data were analysed for HIV-infected adults who were newly initiating ART in Johannesburg or Mopani Districts between October 2017 and June 2018. Characteristics of same-day ART initiators were compared to later initiators, and losses to follow-up (LTFU) to six months were assessed using Kaplan Meier survival analysis and multivariate logistic regression. The dataset comprised 32 290 records (29 964 from Johannesburg and 2 326 from Mopani). The overall rate of SDI was 40.4% (n = 13 038), increasing from 30.3% in October 2017 to 54.2% in June 2018. Same-day ART initiators were younger, more likely to be female and presented with less advanced clinical disease than those initiating treatment at later times following diagnosis (p<0.001 for all). SDI was associated with disengagement from care: LTFU was 30.1% in the SDI group compared to 22.4%, 19.8% and 21.9% among clients initiating ART 1-7 days, 8-21 days and ≥22 days after HIV diagnosis, respectively (p<0.001). LTFU was significantly more likely among clients in Johannesburg versus Mopani (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.43, p<0.001) and among same-day versus later initiators (aOR = 1.45, p<0.001), while increasing age reduced LTFU (aOR = 0.97, p<0.001). In conclusion, SDI has increased over time as per national guidelines, but there is serious concern regarding the reduced rate of retention among same-day initiators. Nevertheless, SDI may result in a net programmatic benefit provided that interventions are implemented to support client readiness for treatment and ongoing engagement in ART care, particularly among younger adults in large ART programmes such as Johannesburg.

Baseline CD4 and mortality trends in the South African human immunodeficiency virus programme: Analysis of routine data.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa, there remains a considerable burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To describe ART initiation and outcome trends over time, with a focus on clients presenting with advanced HIV-infection, so as to identify interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Routine TIER.Net data from HIV-infected adults who had a documented baseline CD4 count and were newly initiating ART in Johannesburg or Mopani districts from 2004 to 2017 were analysed. Trends in baseline CD4 count and 5-year mortality were investigated and the population initiating ART with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 was described. RESULTS: The Johannesburg and Mopani data sets comprised 203 131 and 101 814 records, respectively. Although median CD4 count increased over time, the proportion of initiations at CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 in 2017 remained high (Johannesburg 39%, Mopani 35%). Mortality was significantly increased among clients with CD4 < 200 compared to those with higher baseline counts (p < 0.001). Even though mortality among clients with low CD4 declined over time, likely because of improved drug regimens, in 2016-2017 mortality was still significantly increased among these clients (p < 0.001). Delivery of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis to clients with low CD4 declined over time to < 30% in 2017 and was associated with clinical stage. Presentation with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 was associated with older age, male gender and hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: A concerningly large proportion of South Africans still initiate ART at low CD4 counts. This is associated with increased mortality and requires targeted interventions to improve delivery of prophylactic regimens and early engagement in care.