Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Health and Health Services Research Workforce: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Health and health services research institutions seek to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to overcome structural bias. The objective of this review is to identify, characterize, and evaluate programs aimed to strengthen DEI in the health and health services research workforces. We conducted a systematic scoping review of literature of 2012-2022 North American peer-reviewed empirical studies in PubMed and Embase using the Arksey and O'Malley approach. This review identified 62 programs that varied in focus, characteristics, and outcomes. Programs focused on supporting a spectrum of underrepresented groups based on race/ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and socioeconomic status. The majority of programs targeted faculty/investigators, compared to other workforce roles. Most programs were 1 year in length or less. The practices employed within programs included skills building, mentoring, and facilitating the development of social networks. To support program infrastructure, key strategies included supportive leadership, inclusive climate, resource allocation, and community engagement. Most programs evaluated success based on shorter-term metrics such as the number of grants submitted and manuscripts published. Relatively few programs collected long-term outcomes on workforce pathway outcomes including hiring, promotion, and retention. This systematic scoping review outlined prevalent practices to advance DEI in the health and health services research field. As DEI programs proliferate, more work is needed by research universities, institutes, and funders to realign institutional culture and structures, expand resources, advance measurement, and increase opportunities for underrepresented groups at every career stage.

Social Determinants of Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse Among Women Living with HIV in Economically Underserved Communities in Cape Town, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study aimed to understand how social determinants-the economic and social factors that affect health and well-being-are associated with self-reported and biological alcohol and other drug misuse in South Africa among women living with HIV. Logistic regression analyses were performed using baseline data from an implementation science trial conducted from 2015 to 2018 with 480 Black and Coloured women who were living with HIV and reported recent alcohol or other drug misuse. Educational attainment, type of housing, access to running water, food insecurity, and housing instability were examined. Women with higher education had reduced odds of any drug misuse-both biological (aOR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.33-0.84) and self-reported (aOR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.22-0.64). Women living in formal housing had increased odds of a positive alcohol screening test (aOR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.16-3.18) and women with housing instability had increased odds of self-reported alcohol misuse-daily (aOR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.18-3.35) and weekly (aOR:1.91; 95% CI: 1.19-3.07). Food insecurity was associated with reduced odds of self-reported alcohol misuse (aOR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.25-0.64) and increased odds of self-reported drug misuse (aOR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.16-3.61). These findings indicate the complexity of the relationship between social determinants and alcohol and other drug misuse, and may have implications for addressing social and structural determinants as part of multilevel interventions focused on reducing alcohol and other drug misuse among key populations of women in South Africa.

Understanding Patients' Experiences with a Brief Alcohol Reduction Intervention among People Living with HIV in Uganda: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Brief alcohol reduction interventions for people living with HIV (PLWH) have resulted in mixed findings with some studies showing null or limited treatment effects. To better understand factors that may contribute to their success or failure, this qualitative study sought to explore participants' experiences in a randomized trial (RCT) of a brief counseling-based alcohol reduction intervention, including challenges that may have impeded alcohol reduction. Methods: We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 24 PLWH engaging in unhealthy alcohol use, who were enrolled in an RCT to reduce alcohol consumption conducted in southwestern Uganda in 2019-2020 (NCT03928418). We used a collaborative thematic approach to analyze data from transcribed and translated audio recordings. Results: Perceived benefits of the intervention included increased awareness of alcohol use and its impact on personal finances, the relationship between alcohol use and violence, and a commitment to drinking reduction. Participants experienced several barriers to decreasing their alcohol use, including: prevailing social norms about alcohol use, lack of social support, and economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: Factors in the immediate contexts of PLWH in low-income settings, including social norms influencing alcohol consumption and lack of social support, may impede the impact of alcohol reduction interventions, especially during times of stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Individual and Relationship-Level Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi: A Multilevel Analysis.

Transactional sex increases HIV risk among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Understanding the individual and dyadic nature of transactional sex may provide evidence for risk reduction interventions. Multilevel logistic regression was used to cross-sectionally examine correlates of transactional sex among AGYW in Lilongwe, Malawi. Participants (N = 920) reported 1227 relationships. Individual-level associations were found between being divorced/widowed (AOR 5.07, 95% CI 1.93, 13.25), married (AOR 0.26, 95% CI 0.09, 0.72), or unstably housed (AOR 7.11, 95% CI 2.74, 18.47) and transactional sex. At the relationship-level, transactional sex occurred in relationships with: non-primary primary partners (AOR 4.06, 95% CI 2.37, 6.94), perceived partner concurrency (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.11, 3.08), and feared violence with couples HIV testing (AOR 2.81, 95% CI 1.26, 6.29), and less likely to occur in relationships with children (AOR 0.15, 95% CI 0.06, 0.38). Multiple co-occurring social and structural vulnerabilities increase transactional sex engagement warranting the need for social protection and gender transformative approaches.

'We have goals but [it is difficult]'. Barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among women using alcohol and other drugs living with HIV in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Women living with HIV who misuse alcohol and live in economically disadvantaged settings in South Africa experience a multitude of contextual barriers as they navigate the HIV care continuum. The Women's Health CoOp (WHC), a brief, woman-focused, behavioural, evidence-based intervention, has been shown to be effective in reducing heavy drinking and improving HIV-related outcomes among this key population. However, these women face other broader socioecological barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. METHODS: The WHC was implemented in a modified, stepped-wedge implementation science trial in public health clinics and substance use treatment programmes in Cape Town, South Africa. A qualitative substudy was conducted to explore barriers to HIV treatment adherence among women enrolled in this trial. Eight focus group discussions were conducted with 69 participants 6 months after completion of the WHC workshops. Focus groups were audio-recorded (with consent), transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic approach. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 33 years and the mean self-reported number of drinks per day was 13. The main contextual factors influencing participants' ART adherence were intrapersonal-level factors (substance use, financial constraints, food insecurity; community-level factors (anticipated and enacted stigma, community violence) and institutional-level factors (patient-provider relationships, health facility barriers, environmental stigma). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive interventions addressing the contextual barriers and unique challenges faced by women who misuse alcohol in low-resource settings that intersect with HIV treatment nonadherence should be implemented in tandem with successful biobehavioural HIV interventions for long-term effectiveness and sustainability. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Our South African community collaborative board has been involved throughout this study; participants and clinic staff voices have been essential in our interpretation of these findings.

Outcomes of Implementing in the Real World the Women's Health CoOp Intervention in Cape Town, South Africa.

Women in South Africa living with HIV who use alcohol may not adhere to ART, affecting the country's 90-90-90 targets. The Women's Health CoOp (WHC), a woman-focused HIV intervention, has shown efficacy in numerous trials with key populations of women in South Africa who use alcohol and drugs. In a hybrid implementation effectiveness study, the WHC was implemented in usual care clinics by healthcare providers in a modified stepped-wedge design. We present the outcomes of alcohol use and ART adherence with 480 women, with a 95% 6-month follow-up rate across 4 implementation cycles. Compared with the first cycle, women in the fourth cycle were significantly less likely (OR = 0.10 [95% CI 0.04, 0.24]) to report alcohol use disorder risk and were 4 times more likely (OR = 4.16 [95% CI 1.05, 16.51]) to report ART adherence at 6-month follow-up. Overall, acceptability and satisfaction were extremely high. The WHC intervention was successful in reaching key populations of women to reduce alcohol use and increase ART adherence, which is essential for South Africa to reach the 90-90-90 goals.

Impact of Women's Home Environment on Use of the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring for HIV Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The monthly dapivirine vaginal ring has proven efficacious in reducing HIV incidence in two Phase 3 clinical trials. When considering the potential future availability of the ring to the public, key questions remain about the feasibility of integrating the ring as an HIV prevention intervention into women's lives. We conducted qualitative mapping interviews (n = 66) among women enrolled in MTN-025/HOPE, an open-label trial conducted in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, to examine how home environments influenced use of the dapivirine vaginal ring. Most women had secure places to store their rings including wardrobes, suitcases, and bags. The primary concerns for ring storage were potential tampering from children or rodents. Household overcrowding limited the privacy some women had which made removal and insertion of vaginal rings challenging. Despite these challenges, ring storage, insertion, and removal was feasible across social and living contexts.

Sustainability of a gender-focused HIV and alcohol risk-reduction intervention in usual care settings in South Africa: a mixed methods analysis.

Intervention sustainability is a critical yet understudied aspect of implementation science research. To address this gap, we examined the sustainability of the Women's Health CoOp (WHC), a gender-focused, evidence-based, HIV and alcohol risk-reduction intervention, after an implementation trial. We used a mixed methods design consisting of questionnaires (n = 12), 3 focus groups (n = 11), and a semistructured interview conducted with interventionists implementing the WHC in clinics and substance use treatment programs in Cape Town, South Africa. Five out of 8 facilities implemented the WHC beyond the 6-month implementation period, and 4 were still implementing the WHC as of October 2019. Sustainability ranged from approximately 8 months to more than 3 years. At the most recent assessment, interventionists delivered the intervention to 0-20 participants in the past month. Qualitative findings indicate that long-term sustainability would require support from upper management, staff dedicated to the WHC, and booster trainings. The WHC was sustained postimplementation. Integrating the program into usual care would be feasible; however, human resources, financial, and institutional support would be needed for sustainability. To move implementation science forward, it is essential to determine sustainability beyond the presence and involvement of researchers.

Contraceptive Conversations among Adolescent Girls and Young Women and Their Partners, Peers, and Older Female Family Members in Lilongwe, Malawi: A QualitativeAnalysis.

In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) have high levels of unmet need for contraception, particularly those who are unmarried or nulliparous. Conversations with partners, peers, and family members influence AGYW contraceptive decision-making yet little is known about conversation content and impact or how they vary by relationship status and parity. This paper draws on qualitative data from 60 AGYW (aged 15-24) participating in a sexual and reproductive health study in Malawi to examine contraceptive conversation patterns among participants and their social ties. AGYW's relationship status and parity influenced whether they talked about contraceptives, who they talked to about contraceptives, and the type of contraceptives that were endorsed during conversations. Unmarried and nulliparous AGYW were less likely to discuss contraceptives with all social ties and when conversations occurred, norms and misinformation regarding nonbarrier methods were reinforced, and condoms were largely prescribed. Conversations with intimate partners often provided permission for contraceptive use while conversations with peers and older women in the family provided information on contraceptive methods. Our results highlight the unique roles that social ties play in AGYW contraceptive decision-making and suggest that existing contraceptive conversation patterns might exclude unmarried, nulliparous AGYW from accurate and comprehensive contraceptive information and options.

Developing a framework for cash transfer programs that foster sustained economic empowerment to reduce sexual risk among adolescent girls and young women: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Transactional sexual relationships contribute to a high incidence of HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) living in low-resource settings. Cash transfers (CT) are a structural approach to reduce sexual risk behaviors, but their positive economic effects frequently fade after the program ends. We aimed to understand AGYW's decision-making processes related to sexual, relationship, and financial decisions, in order to design a framework for a CT program that could lead to long-term financial independence and reduced transactional sex among AGYW. METHODS: We conducted qualitative research with AGYW participating in a CT program in Tanzania. Phase one was formative research to understand the context and experiences of AGYW regarding sexual behavior, relationships, and finances. Participants included 36 AGYW (15-23 years old), 15 influencers of AGYW (mothers and male partners) and 10 financially empowered women (FEW - women aged 20-30 with a sustained, reliable source of income independent of their partner). Decisions and decision-making contexts of AGYW that we identified in phase one informed the content of phase two. In phase two we simulated scenarios for decision-making and economic goals with 80 AGYW and 40 FEW, in order to identify key principles or intervention opportunities to guide development of a CT program framework. RESULTS: Through phases one and two of our research we identified three key themes in AGYW's vision of their desired future economic state: 1) positive social image, 2) power balance and respect, and 3) emotional and economic security. An important theme distinguishing AGYW from FEW was that AGYW lacked a vision to build self-agency. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that providing economic resources to AGYW through CT without ensuring self-agency is unlikely to be an effective long-term intervention for economic empowerment. Using these findings we developed a framework for CT programs with three key pillars for developing self-agency: 1) emotional efficacy, to increase AGYW's perception of rewards associated with developing self-agency; 2) social efficacy, to build constructive relationships and exit negative relationships that inhibit self-agency, and 3) economic efficacy, to help AGYW build a resilient stream of financial resources.

"Because all mothers is not the same": The development and implementation of an in loco parentis informed consent procedure to enroll adolescent girls and young women to participate in HIV research.

INTRODUCTION: South Africa has one of the highest incidences of HIV among adolescent girls and young women (AGW), ages 15-24, and recent research has focused on developing interventions for HIV prevention. However, the South African National Health Act requires those under 18 years of age to obtain a guardian's permission to participate in research. Limiting research enrolment to AGYW who can obtain guardian consent may lead to non-representative findings. Therefore, innovative, inclusive consent approaches that protect AGYW from the risks of research are needed. METHODS: This report details the development and implementation of an approach called the in loco parentis (in place of parent) consent procedure. In loco parentis consent provides a vehicle for adolescent participation that protects adolescents from potential social harms. The in loco parentis consent procedure does not seek to obtain independent minor consent but seeks to obtain permission for the minor to participate in research from a trusted adult who is not a minor's parent or legal guardian. This report also qualitatively explores the experiences of 31 AGYW who were recruited into a behavioral HIV prevention study using this method. RESULTS: Findings suggest that the in loco parentis consent procedure is a feasible and acceptable method to inclusively AGYW in HIV research. CONCLUSIONS: The in loco parentis procedure may provide a more inclusive strategy to recruit AGYW for HIV research to increase the generalizability of findings.

Conceptualization of Empowerment and Pathways Through Which Cash Transfers Work to Empower Young Women to Reduce HIV Risk: A Qualitative Study in Tanzania.

Although cash transfers (CT) are hypothesized to reduce AGYW's HIV risk, little is known about the mechanisms through which CT empower AGYW. We explored the impact of a CT intervention on AGYW's sexual decision-making in order to describe the pathways through which the cash may influence risk behavior. The study employed qualitative methods involving: 20 longitudinal in-depth interviews (IDIs), 40 cross-sectional IDIs, 20 narrative IDIs, and two focus group discussions with AGYW ages 15-23 participating in a CT intervention. AGYW's conceptualized empowerment as: "independence", "hope and aspiration". Potential pathways through which CT empowered AGYW were: economic, hope and aspiration for a better future, and access to knowledge. As a result of this empowerment, AGYW reported reductions in transactional sex, experiences of intimate partner violence, and risky-sexual behaviour. A sense of responsibility developed through economic empowerment, enhanced participants' self-esteem and confidence in decision-making leading to changes in AGYW's sexual risk behaviors.

Assessing the Impact of a Small-Group Behavioral Intervention on Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Lilongwe Malawi: A Quasi-Experimental Cohort Study.

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of many adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Small-group interventions addressing underlying vulnerabilities may influence risky sexual behaviors associated with these adverse outcomes. Girl Power-Malawi assessed whether a facilitator-led, curriculum-driven small-group behavioral intervention impacted risky sexual behaviors among AGYW in Lilongwe, Malawi. Four Health Centers were selected; two were randomly assigned to provide the intervention. Two-hundred fifty AGYW 15-24 years old were enrolled in each clinic (N = 1000 total), followed for 1 year, and interviewed at baseline and endline. At both time points participants reported on two behaviors in the last month (vaginal sex and ≥ 2 sexual partners) and two behaviors in the last year (age-disparate relationships and transactional relationships). In intervention clinics, there were no declines in risk behaviors between baseline and endline. Endline behaviors were not less risky in intervention clinics than control clinics. This intervention did not have a positive effect on four risk behaviors over a 1-year period.

Socioeconomic Predictors of Transactional Sex in a Cohort of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Malawi: A Longitudinal Analysis.

Transactional sex is associated with incident HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on the dimensions of socioeconomic status (SES) which predict transactional sex are mixed and primarily come from cross-sectional studies. This study examined the association between SES and transactional sex in a longitudinal cohort (n = 844) of AGYW ages 15-24 years enrolled in a quasi-experimental study in Lilongwe, Malawi. Prevalence of transactional sex was 22% at baseline, 15% at 6-months and 20% at 12-months. Being divorced or widowed, being food insecure, living in a home without electricity or running water, and having few assets were associated with transactional sex. Higher educational attainment and school enrollment were protective. Having 6-7 socioeconomic risk factors increased odds of transactional sex (AOR = 4.13, 95% CI 2.45, 6.98). Structural interventions which address multiple dimensions of SES may reduce transactional sex and ultimately prevent HIV transmission among AGYW.

A Systematic Review of HIV Interventions for Young Women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages (15-24 years old) in Southern and Eastern Africa account for nearly 30% of all new HIV infections. We conducted a systematic review of studies examining the effectiveness of behavioral, structural, and combined (behavioral + structural) interventions on HIV incidence and risky sexual behaviors among AGYW. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Global Health. Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria conducted in Eastern and Southern Africa and comprised behavioral, structural, or combined (behavioral and structural) interventions. All findings are based on 22 studies. HIV incidence was significantly reduced by one structural intervention. All three types of interventions improved condom use among AGYW. Evidence suggests that structural interventions can reduce HIV incidence, while behavioral and combined interventions require further investigation.

"If the Big Fish are Doing It Then Why Not Me Down Here?": Informal Fee Payments and Reproductive Health Care Provider Motivation in Kenya.

Informal fees are payments made by patients to their health care provider that are over and above the official cost of services. Payments may be motivated by a combination of factors such as low supervision, weak sanctions, and inadequate provider salaries. The practice of soliciting informal fees from patients may result in restricted access to medical care and reduced care-seeking behavior among vulnerable populations. The objective of this study is to examine nuanced health care provider perspectives on informal fee payments solicited from reproductive health patients in Kenya. We conducted in-depth semistructured interviews in 2015-2016 among a sample of 20 public and private-sector Kenyan health care workers. Interviews were coded and analyzed using an iterative thematic approach. More than half of participants reported that solicitation of informal fees is common practice in health care facilities. Providers reported low public-sector wages were a primary driver of informal fee solicitation coupled with collusion among senior staff. Additionally, patients may be unaware that they are being asked to pay more than the official cost of services. Strategies for reducing this behavior include more adequate and timely remuneration within the public sector, educating patient populations of free or low-cost services, and evidence-based methods to increase provider motivation.

The influence of cash transfers on engagement in transactional sex and partner choice among adolescent girls and young women in Northwest Tanzania.

Cash transfers are theorised to reduce adolescent girls and young women's economic vulnerability and engagement in transactional sex; however, the processes involved remain unclear. We conducted longitudinal cross-sectional, and narrative timeline in-depth interviews with young women aged 15-23 years in northern Tanzania enrolled in a cash transfer intervention. We analysed data using a thematic approach guided by the transactional sex framework. We summarised data and compared findings to the domains of the framework. Participants reported relationships in the 'sex and material expression of love' domain characterised by emotional intimacy and loose ties between material support and sex, and the 'sex for basic needs' domain characterised by limited emotional intimacy, economic vulnerability, and a clear exchange between material support and sex. Some participants expressed that cash transfers provided business capital and savings which enabled them to decrease 'sex for basic needs'. Cash transfers influenced transactional sex engagement by altering partner selection criteria such as from an emphasis on what men could provide to a focus on relationship stability. Findings suggest that cash transfers have the potential to reduce young women's transactional relationships motivated by economic vulnerability.

Lost to Care and Back Again: Patient and Navigator Perspectives on HIV Care Re-engagement.

Engagement in HIV care is critical to achieve viral suppression and ultimately improve health outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWH). However, maintaining their engagement in care is often a challenging goal. Utilizing patient navigators, trained in an adapted ARTAS intervention, to help re-engage out-of-care PLWH has proven to be a valuable resource. This qualitative study describes the encounters between PLWH (n = 11) and their care re-engagement navigators (n = 9). Participants were interviewed in-person; interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the strengths model of case management. PLWH shared how working with navigators increased their motivation to return to HIV care and assisted them to overcome barriers that were a hindrance to care engagement. Navigators described a strengths-based approach to working with their clients, thus helping facilitate PLWH care re-engagement goals and successes. Results from this study may inform the development of effective HIV navigation programs to re-engage out-of-care PLWH, often the hardest-to-engage.

Understanding healthcare provider absenteeism in Kenya: a qualitative analysis.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare worker absenteeism is common in resource limited settings and contributes to poor quality of care in maternal and child health service delivery. There is a dearth of qualitative information on the scope, contributing factors, and impact of absenteeism in Kenyan healthcare facilities. METHODS: In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted between July 2015 and June 2016 with 20 healthcare providers in public and private healthcare facilities in Central and Western Kenya. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using an iterative thematic approach. RESULTS: Half of providers reported that absenteeism occurs in both private and public health facilities. Absenteeism was most commonly characterized by providers arriving late or leaving early during scheduled work hours. The practice was attributed to institutional issues including: infrequent supervision, lack of professional consequences, limited accountability, and low wages. In some cases, healthcare workers were frequently absent because they held multiple positions at different health facilities. Provider absences result in increased patient wait times and may deter patients from seeking healthcare in the future. CONCLUSION: There is a significant need for policies and programs to reduce provider absenteeism in Kenya. Intervention approaches must be cognizant of the contributors to absenteeism which occur at the institutional level.

Pregnancy experiences of women in rural Romania: understanding ethnic and socioeconomic disparities.

Women in rural Romania face significant health disadvantages. This qualitative pilot study describes the structural disadvantage experienced during pregnancy by women in rural Romania, focusing on the lived experiences of Roma women. We explore how women in rural communities experience pregnancy, their interactions with the healthcare system, and the role that ethnic and social factors play in pregnancy and childbearing. We conducted 42 semi-structured interviews with health and other professionals, seven narrative interviews with Roma and non-Roma women and a focus group with Roma women. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. We identified intersectional factors associated with women's pregnancy experiences: women perceiving pregnancy as both unplanned and wanted, joyful, and normal; women's and professionals' differing prenatal care perceptions; transport and cost related barriers to care; socioeconomic and ethnic discrimination; and facilitators to care such as social support, having a health mediator and having a doctor. Talking directly with professionals and Roma and non-Roma women helped us understand these many factors, how they are interconnected, and how we can work towards improving the pregnancy experiences of Roma women in rural Romania.