Preferences and uptake of home-based HIV self-testing for maternal retesting in Kenya.

Objective: To compare preferences, uptake, and cofactors for unassisted home-based oral self-testing (HB-HIVST) versus clinic-based rapid diagnostic blood tests (CB-RDT) for maternal HIV retesting. Design: Prospective cohort. Methods: Between November 2017 and June 2019, HIV-negative pregnant Kenyan women receiving antenatal care were enrolled and given a choice to retest with HB-HIVST or CB-RDT. Women were asked to retest between 36 weeks gestation and 1 week post-delivery if the last HIV test was <24 weeks gestation or at 6 weeks postpartum if ≥24 weeks gestation, and self-report on retesting at a 14 week postpartum. Results: Overall, 994 women enrolled and 33% (n=330) selected HB-HIVST. HB-HIVST was selected because it was private (68%), convenient (63%), and offered flexibility in timing of retesting (63%), whereas CB-RDT was selected due to trust of providers to administer the test (77%) and convenience of clinic testing (64%). Among 905 women who reported retesting at follow-up, 135 (15%) used HB-HIVST. Most (94%) who selected CB-RDT retested with this strategy, compared to 39% who selected HB-HIVST retesting with HB-HIVST. HB-HIVST retesting was more common among women with higher household income and those who may have been unable to test during pregnancy (both retested postpartum and delivered <37 weeks gestation) and less common among women who were depressed. Most women said they would retest in the future using the test selected at enrollment (99% HB-HIVST; 93% CB-RDT-RDT). Conclusions: While most women preferred CB-RDT for maternal retesting, HB-HIVST was acceptable and feasible and may increase retesting coverage and partner testing.

Optimising HIV drug resistance testing laboratory networks in Kenya: insights from systems engineering modelling.

BACKGROUND: HIV drug resistance (DR) is a growing threat to the durability of current and future HIV treatment success. DR testing (DRT) technologies are very expensive and specialised, relying on centralised laboratories in most low and middle-income countries. Modelling for laboratory network with point-of-care (POC) DRT assays to minimise turnaround time (TAT), is urgently needed to meet the growing demand. METHODS: We developed a model with user-friendly interface using integer programming and queueing theory to improve the DRT system in Kisumu County, Kenya. We estimated DRT demand based on both current and idealised scenarios and evaluated a centralised laboratory-only network and an optimised POC DRT network. A one-way sensitivity analysis of key user inputs was conducted. RESULTS: In a centralised laboratory-only network, the mean TAT ranged from 8.52 to 8.55 working days, and the system could not handle a demand proportion exceeding 1.6%. In contrast, the mean TAT for POC DRT network ranged from 1.13 to 2.11 working days, with demand proportion up to 4.8%. Sensitivity analyses showed that expanding DRT hubs reduces mean TAT substantially while increasing the processing rate at national labs had minimal effect. For instance, doubling the current service rate at national labs reduced the mean TAT by only 0.0%-1.9% in various tested scenarios, whereas doubling the current service rate at DRT hubs reduced the mean TAT by 37.5%-49.8%. In addition, faster batching modes and transportation were important factors influencing the mean TAT. CONCLUSIONS: Our model offers decision-makers an informed framework for improving the DRT system using POC in Kenya. POC DRT networks substantially reduce mean TAT and can handle a higher demand proportion than a centralised laboratory-only network, especially for children and pregnant women living with HIV, where there is an immediate push to use DRT results for patient case management.

Does HIV index testing bring patients into treatment at earlier stages of HIV disease? Results from a retrospective study in Ukraine.

BACKGROUND: Over one-third of people living with HIV (PLH) in Ukraine are not on treatment. Index testing services, which link potentially exposed partners (named partners) of known PLH (index patients) with testing and treatment services, are being scaled in Ukraine and could potentially close this gap. METHODS: This retrospective study included patient data from 14,554 adult PLH who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) between October 2018 and May 2021 at one of 35 facilities participating in an intervention to strengthen index testing services. Mixed effects modified Poisson models were used to assess differences between named partners and other ART initiators, and an interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to assess changes in ART initiation over time. RESULTS: Compared to other ART initiators, named partners were significantly less likely to have a confirmed TB diagnosis (aRR = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.77, p < 0.001), a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 (aRR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73, 0.97, p = 0.017), or be categorized as WHO HIV stage 4 (aRR = 0.68, 9% CI = 0.55, 0.83, p < 0.001) at the time of ART initiation, and were significantly more likely to initiate ART within seven days of testing for HIV (aRR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.22, 1.50, p < 0.001). Our ITS analysis showed a modest 2.34% (95% CI = 0.26%, 4.38%; p = 0.028) month-on-month reduction in mean ART initiations comparing the post-intervention period to the pre-intervention period, although these results were likely confounded by the COVID epidemic. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that index testing services may be beneficial in bringing PLH into treatment at an earlier stage of HIV disease and decreasing delays between HIV testing and ART initiation, potentially improving patient outcomes and retention in the HIV care cascade.

Electronic Medical Record Data Missingness and Interruption in Antiretroviral Therapy Among Adults and Children Living With HIV in Haiti: Retrospective Longitudinal Study.

Background: Children (aged 0-14 years) living with HIV often experience lower rates of HIV diagnosis, treatment, and viral load suppression. In Haiti, only 63% of children living with HIV know their HIV status (compared to 85% overall), 63% are on treatment (compared to 85% overall), and 48% are virally suppressed (compared to 73% overall). Electronic medical records (EMRs) can improve HIV care and patient outcomes, but these benefits are largely dependent on providers having access to quality and nonmissing data. Objective: We sought to understand the associations between EMR data missingness and interruption in antiretroviral therapy treatment by age group (pediatric vs adult). Methods: We assessed associations between patient intake record data missingness and interruption in treatment (IIT) status at 6 and 12 months post antiretroviral therapy initiation using patient-level data drawn from iSanté, the most widely used EMR in Haiti. Missingness was assessed for tuberculosis diagnosis, World Health Organization HIV stage, and weight using a composite score indicator (ie, the number of indicators of interest missing). Risk ratios were estimated using marginal parameters from multilevel modified Poisson models with robust error variances and random intercepts for the facility to account for clustering. Results: Data were drawn from 50 facilities and comprised 31,457 patient records from people living with HIV, of which 1306 (4.2%) were pediatric cases. Pediatric patients were more likely than adult patients to experience IIT (n=431, 33% vs n=7477, 23.4% at 6 months; P<.001). Additionally, pediatric patient records had higher data missingness, with 581 (44.5%) pediatric records missing at least 1 indicator of interest, compared to 7812 (25.9%) adult records (P<.001). Among pediatric patients, each additional indicator missing was associated with a 1.34 times greater likelihood of experiencing IIT at 6 months (95% CI 1.08-1.66; P=.008) and 1.24 times greater likelihood of experiencing IIT at 12 months (95% CI 1.05-1.46; P=.01). These relationships were not statistically significant for adult patients. Compared to pediatric patients with 0 missing indicators, pediatric patients with 1, 2, or 3 missing indicators were 1.59 (95% CI 1.26-2.01; P<.001), 1.74 (95% CI 1.02-2.97; P=.04), and 2.25 (95% CI 1.43-3.56; P=.001) times more likely to experience IIT at 6 months, respectively. Among adult patients, compared to patients with 0 indicators missing, having all 3 indicators missing was associated with being 1.32 times more likely to experience IIT at 6 months (95% CI 1.03-1.70; P=.03), while there was no association with IIT status for other levels of missingness. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both EMR data quality and quality of care are lower for children living with HIV in Haiti. This underscores the need for further research into the mechanisms by which EMR data quality impacts the quality of care and patient outcomes among this population. Efforts to improve both EMR data quality and quality of care should consider prioritizing pediatric patients.

Cofactors of Partner HIV Self-testing and Oral PrEP Acceptance Among Pregnant Women at High Risk of HIV in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and male partner HIV self-testing (HIVST) is being scaled up within antenatal clinics. Few data are available on how co-distribution influences acceptance of both interventions. METHODS: We used data from the PrEP Implementation of Mothers in Antenatal Care (NCT03070600) trial in Kenya. Women included in this analysis were determined to be at high risk of HIV and offered oral PrEP and partner HIVST. Characteristics were compared between women who chose: (1) PrEP and HIVST, (2) HIVST-alone, (3) PrEP-alone, or (4) declined both (reference), excluding women who had partners known to be living with HIV. RESULTS: Among 911 women, median age was 24 years, 87.3% were married, 43.9% perceived themselves to be at high risk of HIV and 13.0% had history of intimate partner violence (IPV). Overall, 68.9% accepted HIVST and 18.4% accepted PrEP, with 54.7% accepting HIVST-alone, 4.2% PrEP-alone, and 14.3% both HIVST and PrEP. Of women accepting HIVST, partner HIV testing increased from 20% to 82% and awareness of partner HIV status increased from 4.7% to 82.0% between pregnancy and 9 months postpartum (P < 0.001). Compared with women who accepted neither, choosing: (1) HIVST-alone was associated with being married, higher level of education, and residing with partner; (2) PrEP-alone was associated with lower social support, IPV, not residing with partner, longer time living with partner, and suspicion of other partners; and (3) PrEP and HIVST was associated with being married, IPV, and suspicion that partner had other partners. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding factors associated with accepting HIVST and PrEP can inform HIV prevention programs for pregnant women. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NCT03070600.

Using queueing models as a decision support tool in allocating point-of-care HIV viral load testing machines in Kisumu County, Kenya.

Point-of-care (POC) technologies-including HIV viral load (VL) monitoring-are expanding globally, including in resource-limited settings. Modelling could allow decision-makers to consider the optimal strategy(ies) to maximize coverage and access, minimize turnaround time (TAT) and minimize cost with limited machines. Informed by formative qualitative focus group discussions with stakeholders focused on model inputs, outputs and format, we created an optimization model incorporating queueing theory and solved it using integer programming methods to reflect HIV VL monitoring in Kisumu County, Kenya. We modelled three scenarios for sample processing: (1) centralized laboratories only, (2) centralized labs with 7 existing POC 'hub' facilities and (3) centralized labs with 7 existing and 1-7 new 'hub' facilities. We calculated total TAT using the existing referral network for scenario 1 and solved for the optimal referral network by minimizing TAT for scenarios 2 and 3. We conducted one-way sensitivity analyses, including distributional fairness in each sub-county. Through two focus groups, stakeholders endorsed the provisionally selected model inputs, outputs and format with modifications incorporated during model-building. In all three scenarios, the largest component of TAT was time spent at a facility awaiting sample batching and transport (scenarios 1-3: 78.7%, 89.9%, 91.8%) and waiting time at the testing site (18.7%, 8.7%, 7.5%); transportation time contributed minimally to overall time (2.6%, 1.3%, 0.7%). In scenario 1, the average TAT was 39.8 h (SD: 2.9), with 1077 h that samples spent cumulatively in the VL processing system. In scenario 2, the average TAT decreased to 33.8 h (SD: 4.8), totalling 430 h. In scenario 3, the average TAT decreased nearly monotonically with each new machine to 31.1 h (SD: 8.4) and 346 total hours. Frequency of sample batching and processing rate most impacted TAT, and inclusion of distributional fairness minimally impacted TAT. In conclusion, a stakeholder-informed resource allocation model identified optimal POC VL hub allocations and referral networks. Using existing-and adding new-POC machines could markedly decrease TAT, as could operational changes.

An implementation strategy package (video education, HIV self-testing, and co-location) improves PrEP implementation for pregnant women in antenatal care clinics in western Kenya.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended by the World Health Organization and the Kenyan Ministry of Health for HIV prevention in pregnancy and postpartum for women at risk for HIV. Integration of PrEP into antenatal care is promising, but delivery gaps exist in the face of healthcare provider shortages in resource-limited settings. Methods: Between May and November 2021, we conducted a difference-in-differences study (3 months pre-intervention data collection and 3 months post-intervention data collection) analyzing four intervention facilities, where the strategies were implemented, and four comparison facilities, where no strategies were implemented. We tested a combination of three implementation strategies-video-based PrEP information in the waiting bay, HIV self-testing, and dispensing of PrEP in the antenatal care rooms-to improve PrEP delivery. We compared absolute changes in the proportion of antenatal attendees screened for PrEP (PrEP penetration), the proportion receiving all PrEP-specific steps in a visit (HIV testing, risk screening, and PrEP counseling) (PrEP fidelity), and client PrEP knowledge, client satisfaction, and waiting time and service time (a priori outcomes); post hoc, we compared the proportion offered PrEP (PrEP offer) and completing HIV testing. We measured provider perceptions of the acceptability and appropriateness of the implementation strategies. Results: We observed significant improvements in PrEP penetration, PrEP offer, satisfaction, and knowledge (p < 0.05) and improvements in fidelity that trended towards significance (p = 0.057). PrEP penetration increased 5 percentage points (p = 0.008), PrEP fidelity increased 8 percentage points (p = 0.057), and PrEP offer increased 4 percentage points (p = 0.003) in intervention vs. comparison facilities. Client PrEP knowledge increased by 1.7 out of 6 total points (p < 0.001) and client satisfaction increased by 0.7 out of 24 total points (p = 0.003) in intervention vs. comparison facilities. We observed no changes in service time (0.09-min decrease; p = 0.435) and a small increase in waiting time (0.33-min increase; p = 0.005). HIV testing among those eligible did not change (1.5 percentage point decrease, p = 0.800). Providers felt the implementation strategies were acceptable and appropriate (median acceptability: 20/20; median appropriateness: 19.5/20). However, absolute levels of each step of the PrEP cascade remained suboptimal. Conclusions: An implementation strategy package with video information, HIV self-testing, and co-location of medication dispensing enhanced PrEP delivery across several implementation outcomes and client satisfaction, while not substantially increasing wait time or decreasing provider-client contact time. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov , identifier, NCT04712994.

Neurodevelopment of children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected in Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Predictors of neurodevelopment among children who are HIV-exposed uninfected (CHEU) are poorly understood. METHODS: Mothers with and without HIV and their children were enrolled during 6-week postnatal care visits across seven sites in Kenya between March 2021 and June 2022. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed using the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool, including social, language, fine motor and gross motor domains. We used multivariate linear mixed effects models to identify associations between 1-year neurodevelopment scores, HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART) exposures, and household factors, adjusted for potential confounders and clustered by the site. RESULTS: At 1-year evaluation, CHEU (n = 709) and children who are HIV-unexposed uninfected (CHUU) (n = 715) had comparable median age (52 weeks) and sex distribution (49% vs. 52% female). Mothers living with HIV were older (31 vs. 27 years), had lower education (50% vs. 26% primary) and were more likely to be report moderate-to-severe food insecurity (26% vs. 9%) (p < 0.01 for all). Compared to CHUU, CHEU had higher language scores (adjusted coeff: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.39) and comparable social, fine and gross motor scores. Among all children, preterm birth was associated with lower gross motor scores (adjusted coeff: -1.38, 95% CI: -2.05, -0.71), food insecurity was associated with lower social scores (adjusted coeff: -0.37, 95% CI: -0.73, -0.01) and maternal report of intimate partner violence (IPV) was associated with lower fine motor (adjusted coeff: -0.76, 95% CI: -1.40, -0.13) and gross motor scores (adjusted coeff: -1.07, 95% CI: -1.81, -0.33). Among CHEU, in utero efavirenz (EFV) exposure during pregnancy was associated with lower gross motor scores compared to dolutegravir (DTG) exposure (adjusted coeff: -0.51, 95% CI: -1.01, -0.03). Lower fine and gross motor scores were also associated with having a single or widowed mother (adjusted coeff: -0.45, 95% CI: -0.87, -0.03) or a deceased or absent father (adjusted coeff: -0.81, 95% CI: -1.58, -0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Biologic and social factors were associated with child neurodevelopment. Despite socio-demographic differences between CHEU and CHUU, 1-year neurodevelopment was similar. Addressing IPV and food insecurity may provide benefits regardless of maternal HIV status. DTG use was associated with higher neurodevelopmental scores in CHEU, compared to EFV regimens, potentially contributing to a lack of neurodevelopmental difference between CHEU and CHUU.

A structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: It is challenging to identify and understand the specific mechanisms through which an implementation strategy affects implementation outcomes, as implementation happens in the context of complex, multi-level systems. These systems and the mechanisms within each level have their own dynamic environments that change frequently. For instance, sequencing may matter in that a mechanism may only be activated indirectly by a strategy through another mechanism. The dosage or strength of a mechanism may vary over time or across different health care system levels. To elucidate the mechanisms relevant to successful implementation amidst this complexity, systems analysis methods are needed to model and manage complexity. METHODS: The fields of systems engineering and systems science offer methods-which we refer to as systems analysis methods-to help explain the interdependent relationships between and within systems, as well as dynamic changes to systems over time. When applied to studying implementation mechanisms, systems analysis methods can help (i) better identify and manage unknown conditions that may or may not activate mechanisms (both expected mechanisms targeted by a strategy and unexpected mechanisms that the methods help detect) and (ii) flexibly guide strategy adaptations to address contextual influences that emerge after the strategy is selected and used. RESULTS: In this paper, we delineate a structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms. The approach includes explicit steps for selecting, tailoring, and evaluating an implementation strategy regarding the mechanisms that the strategy is initially hypothesized to activate, as well as additional mechanisms that are identified through the steps. We illustrate the approach using a case example. We then discuss the strengths and limitations of this approach, as well as when these steps might be most appropriate, and suggest work to further the contributions of systems analysis methods to implementation mechanisms research. CONCLUSIONS: Our approach to applying systems analysis methods can encourage more mechanisms research efforts to consider these methods and in turn fuel both (i) rigorous comparisons of these methods to alternative mechanisms research approaches and (ii) an active discourse across the field to better delineate when these methods are appropriate for advancing mechanisms-related knowledge.

Implementation determinants and strategies in integration of PrEP into maternal and child health and family planning services: experiences of frontline healthcare workers in Kenya.

Background: Delivery of PrEP to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and to pregnant women through maternal and child health (MCH) and family planning (FP) clinics is scaling up in Kenya. Evaluation of implementation challenges and strategies is critical to optimize delivery. Methods: We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with healthcare workers (HCWs) in MCH and FP clinics offering PrEP in a large implementation project in Kisumu, Kenya. Discussion guides were based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed. Directed content analysis was used to identify implementation challenges and strategies to overcome them. Results: Fifty HCWs from 26 facilities participated in 8 FGDs. HCWs believed PrEP integration was appropriate because it met the needs of AGYW and pregnant women by providing a female-controlled prevention strategy and aligned with policy priorities of elimination of vertical HIV transmission. They were universally accepting of PrEP provision, especially through MCH clinics, noting the relative advantage of this approach because it: (1) enabled high coverage, (2) harmonized PrEP and MCH visits, and (3) minimized stigma compared to PrEP offered through HIV care clinics. However, HCWs noted implementation challenges affecting feasibility and adoption including: (1) increased workload and documentation burden amid workforce shortages, (2) insufficient health care worker knowledge (3) multiple implementing partners with competing priorities (4) drug and documentation form stockouts. HCWs employed various implementation strategies to overcome challenges, including task shifting from nurses to HIV testing providers, patient flow modifications (e.g., fast-tracking PrEP clients to reduce wait times), PrEP demand generation and myth clarification during health talks, provider education, dedicated PrEP delivery rooms, and coordination with adolescent-friendly services. Additional suggested strategies to improve PrEP integration included community education to increase broader PrEP awareness and enable shorter counseling sessions, and task-shifting data entry and client risk assessments. Conclusions: HCWs were enthusiastic about the appropriateness and acceptability of integrating PrEP services into MCH and FP clinics but noted challenges to adoption and feasibility. Strategies to address challenges focused on improving provider time and space constraints, and increasing provider and client knowledge.

"We can tell a good teacher who cares, understands, and can be confidential about it": youth and caregiver experiences with HIV disclosure to schools in Kenya.

Introduction: Disclosure of one's HIV status to others is often difficult due to the fear of stigma. However, disclosure may facilitate receiving social support. Many youth living with HIV (YLH) are enrolled in school as better treatments have improved the health and survival of children with HIV. There is no structured process for disclosure at school for YLH and their caregivers. We sought to understand school disclosure experiences among YLH and their caregivers and assess the need for the development of a structured disclosure intervention tailored to school settings. Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with 28 school-going YLH aged 14-19 years and 24 caregivers of YLH. Interviews were conducted in English and Swahili, transcribed, and translated. The transcripts were uploaded to Atlas.ti 9 for thematic analysis. Results: YLH and caregivers clearly articulated the benefits of disclosing to school staff. Disclosure to school staff was seen as the first step to receiving support for medication storage, adherence, and clinic attendance. However, disclosure was also perceived to be a very complicated and stressful process. Fear of stigma drove caregivers and YLH toward careful planning of when and to whom to disclose. Distrust of school staff was a significant barrier to disclosure, even among those who clearly articulated the benefits of disclosure. Disclosure to school staff largely resulted in positive experiences; the immediate reactions were positive or somewhat neutral and confidentiality was upheld. The anticipated benefits of practical and emotional support were demonstrated by the school staff to whom the HIV information was disclosed. Conclusion: Disclosure of HIV status to someone at school is necessary to receive support for medication adherence. Stigma and the lack of structured support for the disclosure process at school often hinder YLH and their caregivers from disclosing. YLH would benefit from better support at schools, including policies to facilitate disclosure that address the caregiver and YLH's fear of stigma and loss of confidentiality. School policies could also provide guidance on whom to disclose to and available post-disclosure support.

Selecting implementation strategies to improve implementation of integrated PrEP for pregnant and postpartum populations in Kenya: a sequential explanatory mixed methods analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is a higher risk for HIV acquisition during pregnancy and postpartum. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended during this period for those at high risk of infection; integrated delivery in maternal and child health (MCH) clinics is feasible and acceptable but requires implementation optimization. METHODS: The PrEP in Pregnancy, Accelerating Reach and Efficiency study (PrEPARE; NCT04712994) engaged stakeholders to prioritize determinants of PrEP delivery (using Likert scores) and prioritize PrEP delivery implementation strategies. Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods design, we conducted quantitative surveys with healthcare workers at 55 facilities in Western Kenya and a stakeholder workshop (including nurses, pharmacists, counselors, and county and national policymakers), yielding visual plots of stakeholders' perceived feasibility and effectiveness of the strategies. A stepwise elimination process was used to identify seven strategies for empirical testing. Facilitator debriefing reports from the workshop were used to qualitatively assess the decision-making process. RESULTS: Among 146 healthcare workers, the strongest reported barriers to PrEP delivery were insufficient providers and inadequate training, insufficient space, and high volume of patients. Sixteen strategies were assessed, 14 of which were included in the final analysis. Among rankings from 182 healthcare workers and 44 PrEP policymakers and implementers, seven strategies were eliminated based on low post-workshop ranking scores (bottom 50th percentile) or being perceived as low feasibility or low effectiveness for at least 50% of the workshop groups. The top seven strategies included delivering PrEP within MCH clinics instead of pharmacies, fast-tracking PrEP clients to reduce waiting time, delivering PrEP-related health talks in waiting bays, task shifting PrEP counseling, task shifting PrEP risk assessments, training different providers to deliver PrEP, and retraining providers on PrEP delivery. All top seven ranked strategies were grouped into bundles for subsequent testing. Facilitator debriefing reports generally aligned with rankings but noted how stakeholders' decision-making changed when considering the impact of strategies on facility staff and non-PrEP clients. CONCLUSIONS: The most impactful barriers to integrated PrEP delivery in MCH clinics were insufficient staffing and space. Implementation strategies prioritized through multiple methods of stakeholder input focused on co-location of services and increasing clinic efficiency. Future testing of these stakeholder-prioritized strategy bundles will be conducted to assess the effectiveness and implementation outcomes.

Integrating PrEP in maternal and child health clinics in Kenya: analysis of a service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) survey.

Background: Risk of HIV acquisition is high during pregnancy and postpartum, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is recommended for peripartum populations. Integrating PrEP into maternal and child health (MCH) clinics is feasible and acceptable. Understanding clinics' service availability and readiness is essential for effective scale up. Methods: The PrEP in Pregnancy, Accelerating Reach and Efficiency study (PrEPARE; NCT04712994) engaged PrEP-experienced facilities previously linked to a programmatic or research study in Western Kenya to document available services and commodities via a modified service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) survey with 20 PrEP tracer items covering: staffing/guidelines, services/equipment, and medicines/commodities. Facilities' prior study engagement occurred between 2017 and 2019; SARA survey data was collected between April 2020 and June 2021. Descriptive statistics were stratified by prior study engagement. ANOVA tests assessed associations between facility characteristics and gaps. Fisher's tests assessed differences in commodity availability and stockouts. Results: Of the 55 facilities surveyed, 60% had received PrEP training in the last two years, 95% offered PrEP integrated into MCH, and 64% and 78% had both auditory and visual privacy in PrEP and HIV testing service (HTS) delivery spaces, respectively. Supervision frequency was heterogeneous, but 82% had received a supervision visit within 3 months. Availability of commodities was variable and the most commonly unavailable commodities were PrEP in MCH (71% available) and risk assessment screening tool (RAST) and PrEP cards (60% and 75% available, respectively). The number of service and commodity gaps per facility ranged from zero to eight (median: 3; IQR: 2, 5). The most frequent gaps were: PrEP training and risk assessment cards (40% each), lack of privacy in PrEP (36%) and HIV testing services (31%) spaces, PrEP pills in MCH (29%), and PrEP cards (25%). There were no differences in mean number of gaps by county, previous study engagement, or public vs. private status. Level 4 facilities had fewer gaps (mean 2.2) than level 2, 3, and 5 facilities (mean 5.7, 4.5, and 5.3 respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: PrEP service availability and readiness was generally high across MCH facilities. However, there is a need for increased frequency of provider training and supportive supervision focused on fidelity. To address key commodity stockouts such as PrEP pills, implementation of electronic logistics management information systems may be needed. Targeting these gaps is essential to effectively scale up integrated PrEP delivery, especially among facilities with limited infrastructure.

Comparison of methods to engage diverse stakeholder populations in prioritizing PrEP implementation strategies for testing in resource-limited settings: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of consensus about how to prioritize potential implementation strategies for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery. We compared several prioritization methods for their agreement and pragmatism in practice in a resource-limited setting. METHODS: We engaged diverse stakeholders with clinical PrEP delivery and PrEP decision-making experience across 55 facilities in Kenya to prioritize 16 PrEP delivery strategies. We compared four strategy prioritization methods: (1) "past experience surveys" with experienced practitioners reflecting on implementation experience (N = 182); (2 and 3) "pre- and post-small-group ranking" surveys before and after group discussion (N = 44 and 40); (4) "go-zone" quadrant plots of perceived effectiveness vs feasibility. Kendall's correlation analysis was used to compare strategy prioritization using the four methods. Additionally, participants were requested to group strategies into three bundles with up to four strategies/bundle by phone and online survey. RESULTS: The strategy ranking correlation was strongest between the pre- and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.648; p < 0.001). There was moderate correlation between go-zone plots and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.363; p = 0.079) and between past-experience surveys and post-small-group rankings (Tau: 0.385; p = 0.062). For strategy bundling, participants primarily chose bundles of strategies in the order in which they were listed, reflecting option ordering bias. Neither the phone nor online approach was effective in selecting strategy bundles. Participants agreed that the strategy ranking activities conducted during the workshop were useful in prioritizing a final set of strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Both experienced and inexperienced stakeholder participants' strategy rankings tended to prioritize strategies perceived as feasible. Small group discussions focused on feasibility and effectiveness revealed moderately different priorities than individual rankings. The strategy bundling approach, though less time- and resource-intensive, was not effective. Future research should further compare the relative effectiveness and pragmatism of methodologies to prioritize implementation strategies.

'They should show them love even if their status of being HIV positive is known': Youth and caregiver stigma experience and strategies to end HIV stigma in schools.

OBJECTIVE: HIV stigma and discrimination is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Schools play a critical role in the life of youth and have been identified as a potentially stigmatising environment. We sought to explore school HIV stigma drivers, facilitators, manifestations and outcomes among youth living with HIV (YLH) as well as potential stigma reduction interventions in Kenya. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews with 28 school-attending YLH aged 14-19 years and 24 caregivers of YLH were analysed using directed content analysis. Results were summarised using the Health and Stigma Framework. RESULTS: Drivers and facilitators of HIV stigma in the school environment included misconceptions about HIV transmission, HIV treatment outcomes and long-term overall health of people living with HIV. HIV stigma manifested largely as gossip, isolation and loss of friendships. Fear of HIV stigma or experienced stigma resulted in poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment-particularly among YLH in boarding schools-and poor mental health. Stigma also impacted school choice (boarding vs. day school) and prevented HIV disclosure to schools which was necessary for optimal support for care. Proposed interventions to address HIV stigma in schools included HIV education, psychosocial support for YLH, support for HIV disclosure to schools while ensuring confidentiality and building YLH resilience. CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to develop interventions to address HIV stigma in schools to ensure optimised health and social outcomes for YLH. Future studies to understand the most effective and efficient interventions are needed.

Addressing the Know-Do Gap in Adolescent HIV: Framing and Measuring Implementation Determinants, Outcomes, and Strategies in the AHISA Network.

Implementation science (IS) uses systematic methods to close gaps between research and practice by identifying and addressing barriers to implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs). To reach UNAIDS HIV targets, IS can support programs to reach vulnerable populations and achieve sustainability. We studied the application of IS methods in 36 study protocols that were part of the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA). Protocols focused on youth, caregivers, or healthcare workers in high HIV-burden African countries and evaluated medication, clinical and behavioral/social EBIs. All studies measured clinical outcomes and implementation science outcomes; most focused on early implementation outcomes of acceptability (81%), reach (47%), and feasibility (44%). Only 53% used an implementation science framework/theory. Most studies (72%) evaluated implementation strategies. Some developed and tested strategies, while others adapted an EBI/strategy. Harmonizing IS approaches allows cross study learning and optimization of delivery of EBIs and could support attainment of HIV goals.

"When they are all grown, I will tell them": Experience and perceptions of parental self-disclosure of HIV status to children in Nairobi, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: There is mixed evidence on the influence of self-disclosure of one's HIV status on mental health, health behaviours and clinical outcomes. We studied the patterns of self-disclosure among parents living with HIV, and factors that influence parental disclosure. METHODS: This mixed-methods study was among adults in HIV care participating in a study assessing the uptake of pediatric index-case testing. They completed a survey to provide demographic and HIV-related health information, and assess self-disclosure to partners, children and others. We ran generalized linear models to determine factors associated with disclosure and reported prevalence ratios (PR). Eighteen participants also participated in in-depth interviews to explore perceived barriers and facilitators of self-disclosure to one's child. A content analysis approach was used to analyze interview transcripts. RESULTS: Of 493 caregivers, 238 (48%) had a child ≥ 6 years old who could potentially be disclosed to about their parent's HIV status. Of 238 participants, 205 (86%) were female, median age was 35 years, and 132 (55%) were in a stable relationship. Among those in a stable relationship, 96 (73%) knew their partner's HIV status, with 79 (60%) reporting that their partner was living with HIV. Caregivers had known their HIV status for a median 2 years, and the median age of their oldest child was 11 years old. Older caregiver age and older first born child's age were each associated with 10% higher likelihood of having disclosed to a child (PR: 1.10 [1.06-1.13] and PR: 1.10 [1.06-1.15], per year of age, respectively). The child's age or perceived maturity and fear of causing anxiety to the child inhibited disclosure. Child's sexual activity was a motivator for disclosure, as well as the belief that disclosing was the "right thing to do". Caregivers advocated for peer and counseling support to gain insight on appropriate ways to disclose their status. CONCLUSIONS: Child's age is a key consideration for parents to disclose their own HIV status to their children. While parents were open to disclosing their HIV status to their children, there is a need to address barriers including anticipated stigma, and fear that disclosure will cause distress to their children.

Optimizing naloxone distribution to prevent opioid overdose fatalities: results from piloting the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach within syringe service programs.

BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose fatalities are preventable with timely administration of naloxone, an opioid antagonist, during an opioid overdose event. Syringe service programs have pioneered naloxone distribution for potential bystanders of opioid overdose. The objective of this study was to pilot test a multi-component implementation strategy-the systems analysis and improvement approach for naloxone (SAIA-Naloxone)-with the goal of improving naloxone distribution by syringe service programs. METHODS: Two syringe service programs participated in a 6-month pilot of SAIA-Naloxone, which included (1) analyzing program data to identify gaps in the naloxone delivery cascade, (2) flow mapping to identify causes of attrition and brainstorm programmatic changes for improvement, and (3) conducting continuous quality improvement to test and assess whether modifications improve the cascade. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis using 52 weeks of data before and 26 weeks of data after initiating SAIA-Naloxone. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the association between SAIA-Naloxone and the weekly number of participants receiving naloxone and number of naloxone doses distributed. RESULTS: Over the course of the study, 11,107 doses of naloxone were distributed to 6,071 participants. Through SAIA-Naloxone, syringe service programs prioritized testing programmatic modifications to improve data collection procedures, proactively screen and identify naloxone-naïve participants, streamline naloxone refill systems, and allow for secondary naloxone distribution. SAIA-Naloxone was associated with statistically significant increases in the average number of people receiving naloxone per week (37% more SPP participants; 95% CI, 12% to 67%) and average number of naloxone doses distributed per week (105% more naloxone doses; 95% CI, 79% to 136%) beyond the underlying pre-SAIA-Naloxone levels. These initial increases were extended by ongoing positive changes over time (1.6% more SSP participants received naloxone and 0.3% more naloxone doses were distributed in each subsequent week compared to the weekly trend in the pre-SAIA Naloxone period). CONCLUSIONS: SAIA-Naloxone has strong potential for improving naloxone distribution from syringe service programs. These findings are encouraging in the face of the worsening opioid overdose crisis in the United States and support testing SAIA-Naloxone in a large-scale randomized trial within syringe service programs.

Demand creation for HIV testing services: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: HIV testing services (HTS) are the first steps in reaching the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals to achieve and maintain low HIV incidence. Evaluating the effectiveness of different demand creation interventions to increase uptake of efficient and effective HTS is useful to prioritize limited programmatic resources. This review was undertaken to inform World Health Organization (WHO) 2019 HIV testing guidelines and assessed the research question, "Which demand creation strategies are effective for enhancing uptake of HTS?" focused on populations globally. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The following electronic databases were searched through September 28, 2021: PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science Core Collection, EMBASE, and Global Health Database; we searched IAS and AIDS conferences. We systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared any demand creation intervention (incentives, mobilization, counseling, tailoring, and digital interventions) to either a control or other demand creation intervention and reported HTS uptake. We pooled trials to evaluate categories of demand creation interventions using random-effects models for meta-analysis and assessed study quality with Cochrane's risk of bias 1 tool. This study was funded by the WHO and registered in Prospero with ID CRD42022296947. We screened 10,583 records and 507 conference abstracts, reviewed 952 full texts, and included 124 RCTs for data extraction. The majority of studies were from the African (N = 53) and Americas (N = 54) regions. We found that mobilization (relative risk [RR]: 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.30, 3.09], p < 0.05; risk difference [RD]: 0.29, 95% CI [0.16, 0.43], p < 0.05, N = 4 RCTs), couple-oriented counseling (RR: 1.98, 95% CI [1.02, 3.86], p < 0.05; RD: 0.12, 95% CI [0.03, 0.21], p < 0.05, N = 4 RCTs), peer-led interventions (RR: 1.57, 95% CI [1.15, 2.15], p < 0.05; RD: 0.18, 95% CI [0.06, 0.31], p < 0.05, N = 10 RCTs), motivation-oriented counseling (RR: 1.53, 95% CI [1.07, 2.20], p < 0.05; RD: 0.17, 95% CI [0.00, 0.34], p < 0.05, N = 4 RCTs), short message service (SMS) (RR: 1.53, 95% CI [1.09, 2.16], p < 0.05; RD: 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.19], p < 0.05, N = 5 RCTs), and conditional fixed value incentives (RR: 1.52, 95% CI [1.21, 1.91], p < 0.05; RD: 0.15, 95% CI [0.07, 0.22], p < 0.05, N = 11 RCTs) all significantly and importantly (≥50% relative increase) increased HTS uptake and had medium risk of bias. Lottery-based incentives and audio-based interventions less importantly (25% to 49% increase) but not significantly increased HTS uptake (medium risk of bias). Personal invitation letters and personalized message content significantly but not importantly (<25% increase) increased HTS uptake (medium risk of bias). Reduced duration counseling had comparable performance to standard duration counseling (low risk of bias) and video-based interventions were comparable or better than in-person counseling (medium risk of bias). Heterogeneity of effect among pooled studies was high. This study was limited in that we restricted to randomized trials, which may be systematically less readily available for key populations; additionally, we compare only pooled estimates for interventions with multiple studies rather than single study estimates, and there was evidence of publication bias for several interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Mobilization, couple- and motivation-oriented counseling, peer-led interventions, conditional fixed value incentives, and SMS are high-impact demand creation interventions and should be prioritized for programmatic consideration. Reduced duration counseling and video-based interventions are an efficient and effective alternative to address staffing shortages. Investment in demand creation activities should prioritize those with undiagnosed HIV or ongoing HIV exposure. Selection of demand creation interventions must consider risks and benefits, context-specific factors, feasibility and sustainability, country ownership, and universal health coverage across disease areas.