scholarly journals The Utility of SMS to Report Male Partner HIV Self-testing Outcomes Among Women Seeking Reproductive Health Services in Kenya: Cohort Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison L Drake ◽  
Emily Begnel ◽  
Jillian Pintye ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Anjuli D Wagner ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Use of SMS for data collection is expanding, but coverage, bias, and logistical constraints are poorly described. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess the use of SMS to capture clinical outcomes that occur at home and identify potential biases in reporting compared to in-person ascertainment. METHODS In the PrEP Implementation in Young Women and Adolescents program, which integrated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) into antenatal care, postnatal care, and family planning facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya, HIV-negative women 14 years of age or older were offered oral HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) to take home to male partners. Women that brought a phone with a Safaricom SIM to the clinic were offered registration in an automated SMS system (mSurvey) to collect information on HIVST outcomes. Women were asked if they offered the test to their male partners, and asked about the test process and results. HIVST outcomes were collected via SMS (sent 2.5 weeks later), in-person (if women returned for a follow-up scheduled 1 month later), or using both methods (if women initiated PrEP, they also had scheduled follow-up visits). The SMS prompted women to reply at no charge. HIVST outcomes were compared between women with scheduled follow-up visits and those without (follow-up visits were only scheduled for women who initiated PrEP). HIVST outcomes were also compared between women reporting via SMS and in-person. RESULTS Among 2123 women offered HIVSTs and mSurvey registration, 486 (23.89%) accepted HIVSTs, of whom 359 (73.87%) were eligible for mSurvey. Additionally, 76/170 (44.7%) women with scheduled follow-up visits and 146/189 (77.3%) without scheduled follow-up visits registered in mSurvey. Among the 76 women with scheduled follow-ups, 62 (82%) had HIVST outcomes collected: 19 (31%) in-person, 20 (32%) by SMS, and 23 (37%) using both methods. Among the 146 women without scheduled visits, 87 (59.6%) had HIVST outcomes collected: 3 (3%) in-person, 82 (94%) by SMS, and 2 (2%) using both methods. SMS increased the collection of HIVST outcomes substantially for women with scheduled follow-up visits (1.48-fold), and captured 82 additional reports from women without scheduled follow-up visits. Among 222 women with reported HIVST outcomes, frequencies of offering partners the HIVST (85/95, 89% in-person vs 96/102, 94% SMS; <i>P</i>=.31), partners using the HIVST (83/85, 98% vs 92/96, 96%; <i>P</i>=.50), women using HIVST with partners (82/83, 99% vs 91/92, 99%; <i>P</i>=.94), and seeing partner’s HIVST results (82/83, 99% vs 89/92, 97%; <i>P</i>=.56) were similar between women reporting in-person only versus by SMS only. However, frequency of reports of experiencing harm or negative reactions from partners was more commonly reported in the SMS group (17/102, 16.7% vs 2/85, 2%; <i>P</i>=.003). Barriers to the SMS system registration included not having a Safaricom SIM or a functioning phone. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the use of SMS substantially improves completeness of outcome data, does not bias reporting of nonsensitive information, and may increase reporting of sensitive information.  

10.2196/15281 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e15281
Author(s):  
Alison L Drake ◽  
Emily Begnel ◽  
Jillian Pintye ◽  
John Kinuthia ◽  
Anjuli D Wagner ◽  
...  

Background Use of SMS for data collection is expanding, but coverage, bias, and logistical constraints are poorly described. Objective The aim of this study is to assess the use of SMS to capture clinical outcomes that occur at home and identify potential biases in reporting compared to in-person ascertainment. Methods In the PrEP Implementation in Young Women and Adolescents program, which integrated pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) into antenatal care, postnatal care, and family planning facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya, HIV-negative women 14 years of age or older were offered oral HIV self-tests (HIVSTs) to take home to male partners. Women that brought a phone with a Safaricom SIM to the clinic were offered registration in an automated SMS system (mSurvey) to collect information on HIVST outcomes. Women were asked if they offered the test to their male partners, and asked about the test process and results. HIVST outcomes were collected via SMS (sent 2.5 weeks later), in-person (if women returned for a follow-up scheduled 1 month later), or using both methods (if women initiated PrEP, they also had scheduled follow-up visits). The SMS prompted women to reply at no charge. HIVST outcomes were compared between women with scheduled follow-up visits and those without (follow-up visits were only scheduled for women who initiated PrEP). HIVST outcomes were also compared between women reporting via SMS and in-person. Results Among 2123 women offered HIVSTs and mSurvey registration, 486 (23.89%) accepted HIVSTs, of whom 359 (73.87%) were eligible for mSurvey. Additionally, 76/170 (44.7%) women with scheduled follow-up visits and 146/189 (77.3%) without scheduled follow-up visits registered in mSurvey. Among the 76 women with scheduled follow-ups, 62 (82%) had HIVST outcomes collected: 19 (31%) in-person, 20 (32%) by SMS, and 23 (37%) using both methods. Among the 146 women without scheduled visits, 87 (59.6%) had HIVST outcomes collected: 3 (3%) in-person, 82 (94%) by SMS, and 2 (2%) using both methods. SMS increased the collection of HIVST outcomes substantially for women with scheduled follow-up visits (1.48-fold), and captured 82 additional reports from women without scheduled follow-up visits. Among 222 women with reported HIVST outcomes, frequencies of offering partners the HIVST (85/95, 89% in-person vs 96/102, 94% SMS; P=.31), partners using the HIVST (83/85, 98% vs 92/96, 96%; P=.50), women using HIVST with partners (82/83, 99% vs 91/92, 99%; P=.94), and seeing partner’s HIVST results (82/83, 99% vs 89/92, 97%; P=.56) were similar between women reporting in-person only versus by SMS only. However, frequency of reports of experiencing harm or negative reactions from partners was more commonly reported in the SMS group (17/102, 16.7% vs 2/85, 2%; P=.003). Barriers to the SMS system registration included not having a Safaricom SIM or a functioning phone. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of SMS substantially improves completeness of outcome data, does not bias reporting of nonsensitive information, and may increase reporting of sensitive information.  


Author(s):  
Patrick O’Byrne ◽  
Lauren Orser ◽  
Amanda Vandyk

Patients who use post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are at ongoing risk for HIV acquisition after completing PEP. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use immediately after PEP, some practitioners are hesitant to offer PEP-to-PrEP (PEP2PrEP). We began offering PEP2PrEP in the sexually transmitted infection clinic in Ottawa, Canada on August 5, 2018. During the first 16 months of PEP2PrEP, 61 patients requested PEP and 46 were initiated; 30 of these patients agreed to PEP2PrEP and 26 followed through. None of our PEP patients had confirmed HIV exposures; all fulfilled the initiation criterion of condomless anal sex with a male partner of unknown HIV-status. During the study, the number of PEP requests and initiations was statistical unchanged, yet the seroconversion rate among patients who used PEP decreased from 1.7% pre-PEP2PrEP to 0% post-PEP2PrEP. Regarding follow-up, most discontinuations occurred between the PrEP intake and 1-month follow-up visit.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. e036231
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Xiaojie Huang ◽  
Yaokai Chen ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Yonghui Zhang ◽  
...  

IntroductionPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) reduces the risk of HIV infection among men who have sex with men by up to 99%. However, in real-world settings, PrEP users may exhibit risk compensation after uptake of PrEP, including more condomless anal intercourse (CAI) and increased sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition. HIV self-testing (HIVST) decreases CAI among men who have sex with men (MSM) by providing awareness of the HIV status of oneself and one’s sexual partners. Here, we describe the rationale and design of a randomised waitlist-controlled trial to examine the impact of HIVST on risk compensation among PrEP users.Methods and analysisThe study is a two-arm randomised waitlist-controlled trial with 1000 HIV-negative MSM in four major cities in China who will be taking oral PrEP (involving tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine) either daily (n=500) or in an event-driven regimen (n=500). The participants will be randomised (1:1) to either the immediate HIVST intervention arm (HIVST plus standard facility-based counselling and testing from 0 to 12 months) or the waitlist arm (standard facility-based counselling and testing from 0 to 6 months, then crossover to receive the HIVST intervention in months 7–12). Participants will provide blood samples to assess the incidence of syphilis and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) during a follow-up. The primary outcomes will be the occurrence of CAI, number of sexual partners and incidence of syphilis and HSV-2 during a follow-up. The secondary outcomes will be the HIV and STI testing frequency and STI treatment adherence during a follow-up. The planned start and end dates for the study is 26 December 2018 and 31 December 2020.Ethics and disseminationThe Medical Science Research Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University has approved the study (IRB(2018)273).Trial registration numberChiCTR1800020374


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S516-S516
Author(s):  
Aditi Ramakrishnan ◽  
Jessica Sales ◽  
Micah McCumber ◽  
Matthew Psioda ◽  
Leah Powell ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Training healthcare providers in a variety of clinical settings to deliver pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a key component of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative. Self-efficacy, the individual’s belief in their ability to carry out the steps of PrEP delivery, is a core part of provider training and necessary for successful PrEP implementation. We characterized self-efficacy among providers from family planning (FP) clinics that do not provide PrEP to inform provider training strategies. Methods We surveyed providers (any clinical staff who could screen, counsel, or prescribe PrEP) from FP clinics in 18 Southern states (Feb-June 2018, N=325 respondents from 224 clinics not providing PrEP) using contraception- and PrEP-specific self-efficacy questions (overall and grouped into PrEP delivery steps: screening, initiation, and follow-up). We compared self-efficacy scores (5-point Likert scale) by prescriber status, between PrEP delivery steps, and used linear mixed models to analyze provider-, clinic-, and county-level covariates associated with overall PrEP self-efficacy. Results Among 325 FP providers, self-efficacy scores were lowest in the PrEP initiation step, higher in follow-up, and highest in screening (p &lt; 0.0001, Table). Mean overall PrEP self-efficacy scores were significantly higher among prescribers compared to non-prescribers (p &lt; 0.0001). However, providers reported lowest self-efficacy regarding insurance navigation for PrEP with no significant difference by prescriber status. The mixed model demonstrated overall PrEP self-efficacy was positively associated with favorable PrEP attitudes among non-prescribers, PrEP knowledge among prescribers, and contraception self-efficacy in both groups, but was not associated with availability of insurance navigation on-site or other covariates (Figure). Provider Self-Efficacy along the PrEP Delivery Model stratified by prescriber status Conclusion FP providers reported low confidence in their ability to perform the steps that comprise PrEP initiation. Provider training focused on elements of PrEP initiation are critical to improve PrEP implementation and EHE initiatives. Alternatively, programs employing referral or telehealth models to support the PrEP initiation step can successfully bridge this gap. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Chibwae ◽  
Anthony Kapesa ◽  
Ola Jahanpour ◽  
Jeremiah Seni ◽  
Namanya Basinda ◽  
...  

Background: Male involvement in reproductive health (RH) services in Africa has been associated with improved maternal and child health outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors affecting male partner attendance to available reproductive health services in Shinyanga district, north-western Tanzania.Methods: A house to house survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted among randomly selected married men. Additional in-depth interviews were conducted among married men found attending RH services. Factors that motivates the uptake of locally available RH services together with their partners were explored.Results: A total of 204 men participated in the study, 94.4 % (193/204) of them reported to have ever attended the RH service with their female partners at least once whereas 50.6% (103/204) of them attended at least thrice. Three quarters (154/204) attended HIV counselling and testing (VCT) and 63% (129/204) attended antenatal services (ANC). Reported attendance to sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs), prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (PMTCT), and reproductive health cancer services were all less than 13%.  The male partners age group (25-34 years; χ2=9.347, df =3 p-value < 0.001), female partner invitation to HR services (χ2= 29.901, df=1, p-value <0.001) and having less than 2 children (χ2= 6.201, df= 2, p-value < 0.05) were associated with higher RH service attendance. Only 20% (4/20) of married men attended RH because they expected better health outcomes in their presence whilst majority attended because they were summoned or just happen to be at the clinic for other purposes.Conclusion: The male attendance to RH services together with their female partners’ in rural Shinyanga was mainly focused ANC and VCT. Most of men attended because were verbally invited by their partners. Education on couple communication empowerment among women attending RH clinics could sustainably improve attendance to all RH services. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S394-S395
Author(s):  
Vanessa Kung ◽  
Sarika Pattanasin ◽  
Chaiwat Ungsedhapand ◽  
Wipas Wimonsate ◽  
Michael Thigpen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Since 2014, the Thailand National Guidelines have recommended pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV among persons at risk. In March 2016, Silom Community Clinic (SCC) began PrEP provision to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods SCC staff routinely counseled MSM and TGW attending HIV voluntary counseling and testing about PrEP. If clients believed that they were at substantial risk of HIV and were interested in PrEP, they could receive PrEP after screening that included HIV and renal function testing. Eligible clients received a 30-day supply of daily oral tenofovir-emtricitabine costing 800 Baht (30 USD), and completed a baseline computer-assisted self-interview (CASI) on knowledge and behaviors. At every 3-month follow-up, PrEP clients had a CASI on adherence; if they were interested in discontinuation of PrEP, they completed a CASI that included reasons for discontinuation. We conducted a descriptive analysis of baseline and follow-up CASI results. Results From March 2016 to February 2018, 192 clients were prescribed PrEP, and 80 (42%) continued PrEP for at least 6 months. The median age of clients starting PrEP was 31 years (range, 17–67 years), and 98% were MSM. Overall, most (77%) reported at least 1 of four risk behaviors in the last 3 months; among the 148, 120 (81%) had a sex partner with unknown or positive HIV status, 99 (67%) had anal sex without a condom, 22 (15%) reported an STI, and 16 (11%) received money or goods in exchange for sex. Among the 166 clients who returned for at least one follow-up visit, 135 (81%) completed the CASI at the last follow-up visit; of those, 106 (78%) reported 100% adherence to daily PrEP in the last 7 days, and 126 (93%) reported ≥80% adherence in the last 30 days. Of the 36 clients who discontinued PrEP and completed CASI, 33% reported the reason for discontinuation was no current HIV risk (33%); most (69%) reported that they would consider PrEP in the future. Conclusion Most PrEP users reported adherence to daily PrEP, and almost one half of those starting PrEP continued through month six. PrEP use at SCC is dynamic, and commonly started and stopped based on self-assessed risk. Regular review of PrEP implementation, with a focus on client needs, will optimize use of this prevention approach. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. 25-26
Author(s):  
Caroline Vrana ◽  
Jeffrey Korte ◽  
Angela Malek ◽  
Esther Buregyeya ◽  
Joseph Matovu ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: We investigated the association between relationship power imbalance (which can have a negative impact on HIV prevention) and male partner HIV testing, using baseline data from a HIV self-testing trial in 3 antenatal clinics in central Uganda. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Pregnant women with HIV-male partners were recruited and randomized by day into standard of care or intervention (HIV self-testing kits). Analyses were performed in SAS 9.4, with χ2 tests and p<0.05 for significance. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In total, 1514 women were recruited (737 standard of care, 777 intervention). Overall, 39.6% of male partners had previously tested for HIV. Among women <26, contributions to expenses differed by partner testing (overall p<0.001, 47.6% of women whose partners tested made no contribution vs. 63.2% of women whose partners did not test). Relationship status differed by partner testing (overall p=0.02, 12.4% of women whose partners tested showed a sometimes difficult relationship vs. 5.7% of women whose partners did not test). Among women 26+, decision making for family visits differed by partner testing (overall p=0.005, 52.9% of women made joint decisions with partners who tested vs. 36.5% whose partners did not test). DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Higher relationship power balance was associated with higher HIV testing among male partners when measured by contribution to expenses and decision making for family visits, but not relationship status. Relationship power balance should be considered when counseling women and men to increase HIV testing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen K. Wilson ◽  
◽  
L. Danielle Wagner ◽  
Thesla Palanee-Phillips ◽  
Sarah T. Roberts ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Women may need or seek male partner approval to safely and consistently use oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or vaginal microbicides. We developed CHARISMA, a counseling intervention to support women’s relationships and their ability to consistently use HIV prevention products. Methods In a pilot study with 95 female participants in Johannesburg, South Africa, lay counselors implemented CHARISMA, assessing participants’ relationship(s) with their male partner(s) and barriers or facilitators to HIV prevention method use, and then providing tailored, interactive counseling. We conducted study participant surveys and clinic staff interviews to evaluate CHARISMA’s feasibility and acceptability. Results The CHARISMA pilot study indicates that a two-session relationship counseling intervention with 6-month follow-up to support women’s ability to safely and effectively use vaginal microbicides was generally acceptable and feasible. Most participants thought CHARISMA was relevant, helpful, and about the right length, and that it had a positive impact on their relationships with their partners and their product use. Staff estimated that the intervention took 1.5–2 h to implement at enrollment and 45 min to an hour for the month 1 visit. They thought that overall CHARISMA was generally feasible to implement. Conclusions Findings from this study suggest several lessons learned that may be relevant to others developing interventions supporting women’s use of oral PrEP or vaginal microbicides. The use of lay counselors instead of nurses to deliver counseling appeared to be successful, but the counselors experienced significant stress from hearing about participants’ traumatic experiences and required emotional support to avoid burnout. Although staff and participants felt that having multiple intervention sessions over time was valuable, a similar level of intensity may not be feasible in other settings. Further research is needed to determine an intervention delivery mode and follow-up period that optimally balances participant needs and clinic resources. Male engagement was a challenge, as it has been in previous studies of vaginal microbicides. Alternative strategies to reach men that do not require them to come to the clinic or rely on their female partners may be more effective.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249625
Author(s):  
Valentine Wanga ◽  
Kathryn Peebles ◽  
Alfred Obiero ◽  
Felix Mogaka ◽  
Victor Omollo ◽  
...  

Introduction Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is increasingly being implemented in sub-Saharan Africa. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya contribute more than half of all new infections among young people aged 15–24 years, highlighting the need for evidence on the cost of PrEP in real-world implementation to inform the budget impact, cost-effectiveness, and financial sustainability of PrEP programs. Methods We estimated the cost of delivering PrEP to AGYW enrolled in a PrEP implementation study in two family planning clinics in Kisumu county, located in western Kenya. We derived total annual costs and the average cost per client-month of PrEP by input type (variable or fixed) and visit type (initiation or follow-up). We estimated all costs as implemented in the study, and under implementation by the Kenyan Ministry of Health (MoH), both at the program volume observed and if the facilities were delivering PrEP at full capacity (scaled-MoH). Results For the costing period between March 2018 and March 2019, 615 HIV-negative women contributed 1,128 (502 initiation and 626 follow-up) visits. The average cost per client-month of PrEP dispensed per study protocol and per the MoH scenario was $28.92 and $14.52, respectively. If the MoH scaled the program so that facilities could see PrEP clients at capacity, the average cost per client-month of PrEP was $10.88. Medication costs accounted for the largest proportion of the total annual costs (48% in MoH scenario and 65% in the scaled-MoH scenario). Conclusions Using data from a PrEP implementation program, we found that the cost per client-month of PrEP dispensed is reduced by 62% if PrEP delivery at the two clinics is scaled up by the MoH. Our findings are valuable for informing local resource allocation and budgetary cost projections for scale-up of PrEP delivery to AGYW. Additionally, previous cost-effectiveness studies have been limited by the use of fixed assumptions of the cost of PrEP per person-month. Our study provides cost estimates from practical data which will better inform cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses.


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