Implementation and Uptake of Raltegravir Granules in Newborns Diagnosed With HIV Through Birth Testing in Maternity Settings in Zimbabwe During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Zimbabwe introduced raltegravir (RAL) granules at 14 facilities providing point-of-care HIV birth testing, aiming to initiate all newborns with HIV on a RAL-based regimen. From June 2020 to July 2021, we tested 3172 of the 6989 (45%) newborns exposed to HIV; we diagnosed 59(2%) with HIV infection, of whom 27 (46%) initiated RAL. The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus disease pandemic exacerbated supply chain and trained provider shortages, contributing to low birth testing, RAL uptake and 6-month viral load testing.

Optimising neonatal antiretroviral therapy using raltegravir: a qualitative analysis of healthcare workers' and caregivers' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: In 2020, Zimbabwe adopted the WHO's recommendation to use raltegravir (RAL) granule-based regimens for treatment of neonates identified with HIV at the time of birth testing. This study explores the acceptability of RAL granules by caregivers and healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: Interviews were conducted with 15 caregivers and 12 HCWs from 8 health facilities in Zimbabwe participating in the introductory pilot of RAL granules treatment for newborns. Eligible caregivers included those who had administered RAL to their infant and attended either 8th or 28th day of life appointments. Caregivers of neonates recently initiated on RAL were selected through convenience sampling. Eligible HCWs who provided RAL preparation, administration instructions and support to caregivers of neonates on RAL for at least 3 months were recruited from the same facilities as the caregivers. Interview transcripts were coded and thematically analysed. RESULTS: Caregivers reported that their babies looked healthier after RAL initiation, with improved skin appearance and weight gain. Some caregivers wanted their child to remain on RAL beyond 28 days instead of switching regimens, as recommended by national guidelines. HCWs observed that RAL granules improved health outcomes compared with other regimens. HCWs reported challenges with caregivers understanding dosing instructions, measuring with a syringe, swirling and not shaking the medicine, discarding unused medication and following the changes in the dosing schedule and amount when RAL was initiated a few days after birth. HCWs stated that adequate counselling and repeat demonstrations were crucial to ensure that caregivers clearly understood RAL dosing and administration instructions. HCWs requested more standardised training targeting nurses with guidance on handling missed doses and clarification on mixing RAL granules with water and not breastmilk. CONCLUSION: While feedback from caregivers and HCWs on RAL implementation was positive, barriers were also noted. Adequate training and sufficient instruction and support for caregivers would help to ensure that RAL granules are prepared, dosed and administered correctly.

Where, when, and how many tuberculosis patients are lost from presumption until treatment initiation? A step by step assessment in a rural district in Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the pre-diagnosis and pre-treatment loss to follow-up (LTFU) in the tuberculosis (TB) care cascade in Guruve (2015-16), a rural district in Zimbabwe. DESIGN: Guruve has 19 rural health centres (RHCs) and one district hospital. In this cohort study, persons ≥15 years of age with presumptive pulmonary TB were tracked from the facility presumptive TB registers to the laboratory registers; if laboratory diagnosed, they were tracked to the district TB register (contains details of all TB patients registered for treatment). Each patient was tracked for 90days after registration as presumptive TB and for 90days after laboratory diagnosis. Environmental health technicians transported sputum specimens from the health facilities to the laboratories (n=3). RESULTS: Of 2974 persons with presumptive TB, pre-diagnosis LTFU occurred in 575 (19%, 95% confidence interval 18-21%). Associated factors included registration at a RHC, at a facility more than 2km from the laboratory, and absence of an environmental health technician. Of 162 laboratory diagnosed pulmonary TB patients, pre-treatment LTFU occurred in 19 (12%, 95% confidence interval 8-18%). CONCLUSIONS: The presumptive TB register was helpful to assess the pre-diagnosis gaps beginning from presumption. Pre-diagnosis LTFU can be reduced by placement of an environmental health technician at all facilities.