Leveraging routine viral load testing to integrate diabetes screening among patients on antiretroviral therapy in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV are at an increased risk of diabetes mellitus due to HIV infection and exposure to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite this, integrated diabetes screening has not been implemented commonly in African HIV clinics. Our objective was to explore the feasibility of integrating diabetes screening into existing routine HIV viral load (VL) monitoring and to determine a group of HIV patients that benefit from a targeted screening for diabetes. METHODS: A mixed methods study was conducted from January to July 2018 among patients on ART aged≥18 y and healthcare workers at an urban HIV clinic in Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. Patients who were due for routine VL monitoring underwent a finger-prick for simultaneous point-of-care glucose measurement and dried blood spot sampling for a VL test. Diabetes was diagnosed according to WHO criteria. We collected demographic and medical history information using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and electronic medical records. We conducted focus group discussions among healthcare workers about their experience and perceptions regarding the integrated diabetes screening program. RESULTS: Of patients undergoing routine VL monitoring, 1316 of 1385 (95%) had simultaneous screening for diabetes during the study period. The median age was 44 y (IQR: 38-53); 61% were female; 28% overweight or obese; and median ART duration was 83 mo (IQR: 48-115). At baseline, median CD4 count was 199 cells/mm3 (IQR: 102-277) and 50% were in WHO clinical stages I or II; 45% were previously exposed to stavudine and 88% were virologically suppressed (<1000 copies/mL).  Diabetes prevalence was 31/1316 (2.4%). Diabetes diagnosis was associated with age ≥40 y (adjusted OR [aOR] 7.44; 95% CI: 1.74 to 31.80), being overweight and/or obese (aOR 2.46; 95% CI: 1.13 to 5.38) and being on a protease inhibitor-based ART regimen (aOR 5.78; 95% CI: 2.30 to 14.50). Healthcare workers appreciated integrated diabetes screening but also reported challenges including increased waiting time, additional workload and inadequate communication of results to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Integrating diabetes screening with routine VL monitoring (every 2 y) seems feasible and was valued by healthcare workers. The additional cost of adding diabetes screening into VL clinics requires further study and could benefit from a targeted approach prioritizing patients aged ≥40 y, being overweight/obese and on protease inhibitor-based regimens.

Effect of bed net colour and shape preferences on bed net usage: a secondary data analysis of the 2017 Malawi Malaria Indicator Survey.

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population in Malawi. Insecticide-treated bed nets are a key vector malaria control intervention, however, advancement towards universal access is progressing slowly. Malawi Malaria indicator surveys (MMIS) show diverse user preferences of bed net shape and colour. The objective of this work was to understand if bed net shape and colour preferences affect usage. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from households that participated in the 2016-2017 MMIS. The main outcome variable was net usage defined, at net level, whether someone slept under a particular net on the night before the survey. The main exposure variables were preference attributes, whether a particular net is of a preferred colour or shape as defined by the household respondent. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done to determine the association between the exposure and outcome variables. RESULTS: A total of 3729 households with 16,755 individuals were included in this analysis. There were a total 7710 bed nets in households that participated in the survey of which 5435 (70.5%) of these nets had someone sleep under them the previous night before the survey. Bed nets that are of a preferred shape have 3.55 times higher odds of being used than those not preferred [AOR 3.55 (95% CI 2.98, 4.23; p value < 0.001)]. Bed nets that are of a preferred colour have 1.61 times higher odds of being used than those that are not of a preferred colour [AOR 1.61 (95% CI 1.41, 1.84; p value < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that if a bed net is of a preferred colour or shape, it is more likely to be used. Bed net purchase by malaria stakeholders need to balance more factors on top of preferences such as price and efficacy.

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes among prisoners and general population in Zomba, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: TB remains a major global health problem. It is particularly prevalent in prisons in sub-Saharan Africa due to overcrowding, malnutrition, high HIV prevalence and insufficient medical services. Prisoners have experienced worse TB treatment outcomes than the general population. The researchers investigated the TB treatment outcomes and predictors of unsuccessful treatment outcomesamong prisoners and the general population in Zomba, Malawi. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed TB registers of prisoners and the general population diagnosed with TB from January 2011 to December 2016 at Zomba Maximum Central Prison and Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. The study used routinely collected data extracted from national, standardized TB treatment monitoring tools. Successful treatment outcome was classified as the total for cured and completed treatment while unsuccessful treatment outcome was classified as the total of deaths and treatment failures. We used descriptive statistics to compare the demographics and TB treatment parameters among prisoners and non - prisoners and computed multivariate analysis to predict the independent factors of unsuccessful treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Of 1652 registered cases, 27% were prisoners (all males) and 72% were non-prisoners (58% males). The median age was 35 years (IQR: 29-42); 76% were Pulmonary TB cases (78% among prisoners vs 75% among general population); 83% were new TB cases (77% among prisoners vs 86% among general population); and 65% were HIV positive (50% among prisoners vs 71% among general population). Regarding treatment outcome, 1472 (89%) were cured and/or completed treatment (93% among prisoners vs 88% among general population), 2(0.2%) were treatment failures, 122 (8%) died (5% among prisoners vs 8% among general population) and 55 (3%) were not evaluated (1% among prisoners vs 4% among general population). Unsuccessful TB treatment outcomes were associated with age greater than 35 years (aOR = 0.68: 95% C.I: 0.58-0.80), Extra-Pulmonary TB (aOR = 1.69: 95% C.I: 1.08-2.63) andHIV positive status (aOR = 0.63: 95% C.I: 0.42-0.94). CONCLUSION: Maximum prisons provide a stable population that can be easily monitored throughout the course of TB treatment. Good TB treatment outcomes which are comparable to the general population can be achieved among Malawian prisoners despite the challenging prison conditions.