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Predictors of first follow-up HIV testing for couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia.

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION:We describe predictors of first follow-up testing for concordant negative and discordant couples seeking joint voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia, where cohabiting couples account for an estimated two-thirds of incident HIV infections. METHODS:Demographic and serostatus data were collected from couples' voluntary HIV testing and counseling and follow-up testing services implemented in government clinics. We calculated follow-up testing rates by serostatus and compared rates before and after the introduction of a Good Health Package (GHP). RESULTS:The follow-up testing rate from May 2011 to December 2012 was 12.2% for concordant negative (M-F-) couples and 24.5% for discordant (M+F- or M-F+) couples. Significant predictors of follow-up testing in multivariate analyses included increasing age of the man [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.02 per year] and the woman (aOR = 1.02 per year), and either partner being HIV+ (aOR = 2.57 for HIV+ man, aOR = 1.89 for HIV+ woman). The man (aOR = 1.29) and the couple (aOR = 1.22) having been previously tested for HIV were predictive of follow-up testing among concordant negative couples. Introduction of a GHP increased follow-up testing among discordant (aOR = 2.93) and concordant negative (aOR = 2.06) couples. CONCLUSIONS:A low-cost GHP, including prevention, screening, and treatment for common causes of morbidity and mortality resulted in increased follow-up testing rates among HIV discordant and concordant negative couples. Overall follow-up testing rates remain low, and efforts to increase these rates are necessary to ensure linkage to combination prevention, reduce HIV transmission within couples, and identify seroconversions promptly. Further investigation of low-cost sustainable incentives and other factors influencing follow-up HIV testing for couples is needed.

SUBMITTER: Czaicki NL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3981940 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Predictors of first follow-up HIV testing for couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia.

Czaicki Nancy L NL Davitte Jonathan J Siangonya Bella B Kastner Randee R Ahmed Nurilign N Khu Naw Htee NH Kuo Wan Hsuan WH Abdallah Joseph J Wall Kristin M KM Tichacek Amanda A Inambao Mubiana M Simpungwe Kakungu K Pulerwitz Julie J Thior Ibou I Allen Susan S

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 20140501 1

<h4>Introduction</h4>We describe predictors of first follow-up testing for concordant negative and discordant couples seeking joint voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia, where cohabiting couples account for an estimated two-thirds of incident HIV infections.<h4>Methods</h4>Demographic and serostatus data were collected from couples' voluntary HIV testing and counseling and follow-up testing services implemented in government clinics. We calculated follow-up testing rates by sero ...[more]

PMID: 24326600

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Project description:ObjectivesHypothesising that couples' voluntary counselling and testing (CVCT) promotions can increase CVCT uptake, this study identified predictors of successful CVCT promotion in Lusaka, Zambia.DesignCohort study.SettingLusaka, Zambia.Participants68 influential network leaders (INLs) identified 320 agents (INAs) who delivered 29 119 CVCT invitations to heterosexual couples.InterventionThe CVCT promotional model used INLs who identified INAs, who in turn conducted community-based promotion and distribution of CVCT invitations in two neighbourhoods over 18 months, with a mobile unit in one neighbourhood crossing over to the other mid-way through.Primary outcomeThe primary outcome of interest was couple testing (yes/no) after receipt of a CVCT invitation. INA, couple and invitation characteristics predictive of couples' testing were evaluated accounting for two-level clustering.ResultsINAs delivered invitations resulting in 1727 couples testing (6% success rate). In multivariate analyses, INA characteristics significantly predictive of CVCT uptake included promoting in community-based (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.8) or health (aOR=1.5; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0) networks versus private networks; being employed in the sales/service industry (aOR=1.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1) versus unskilled manual labour; owning a home (aOR=0.7; 95% CI 0.6 to 0.9) versus not; and having tested for HIV with a partner (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) or alone (aOR=1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.6) versus never having tested. Cohabiting couples were more likely to test (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.2 to 1.6) than non-cohabiting couples. Context characteristics predictive of CVCT uptake included inviting couples (aOR=1.2; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.4) versus individuals; the woman (aOR=1.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 2.2) or couple (aOR=1.4; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.8) initiating contact versus the INA; the couple being socially acquainted with the INA (aOR=1.6; 95% CI 1.4 to 1.9) versus having just met; home invitation delivery (aOR=1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.5) versus elsewhere; and easy invitation delivery (aOR=1.8; 95% CI 1.4 to 2.2) versus difficult as reported by the INA.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the ability of influential people to promote CVCT and identified agent, couple and context-level factors associated with CVCT uptake in Lusaka, Zambia. We encourage the development of CVCT promotions in other sub-Saharan African countries to support sustained CVCT dissemination.

Project description:BackgroundCouples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC) is now a standard of care prevention strategy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for sexual minority men (SMM) in relationships. Despite standard recommendations that couples complete CHTC every 6-12 months, no study has empirically evaluated the effects associated with CHTC retesting.ObjectiveThis study aims to understand the benefits associated with continued dyadic engagement in the HIV prevention continuum through routine CHTC retesting, which is of particular importance for emerging-adult SMM in relationships who use drugs.MethodsEligible couples for this CHTC retesting trial must already be enrolled in the 4Us trial, where they completed a CHTC session after their baseline survey. The purpose of the original 4Us trial was to test the efficacy of 2 intervention components for CHTC: a communication skills training video and a substance use module. Couples were eligible for the original 4Us trial if they identified as cisgender male, were in a relationship for 3 months or longer, were aged 17 years or older, and communicated in English. At least 1 partner had to be aged 17-29 years, report HIV negative or unknown serostatus, report use of at least 1 drug (cannabis, cocaine or crack, crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, gamma-hydroxybuterate [GHB], psychedelics, ecstasy, prescription medication misuse, opiates, and nitrates) use, and engage in condomless anal sex (CAS) acts with a casual partner or have a main partner who is nonmonogamous or serodiscordant. Those who complete the 4Us 12-month follow-up and remain in a relationship with the partner they participated in 4Us with are offered the opportunity to participate in this CHTC retesting trial. Those consenting are randomized to either CHTC retesting or individual HIV testing. Follow-up assessments are conducted 3 and 6 months after randomization to evaluate the effects of repeat CHTC on 2 primary outcomes: (1) CAS with a casual partner in the absence of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and (2) CAS with a serodiscordant main partner who is not virally suppressed or concurrent CAS between main and casual partners in the absence of PrEP.ResultsThe CHTC retesting trial launched in January 2023, and enrollment is ongoing. As of February 2024, the study had enrolled 106 eligible participants (n=53 couples).ConclusionsFindings from this CHTC retesting study will contribute to knowledge about the benefits associated with regular (repeated) CHTC testing versus routine individual HIV testing for SMM in relationships. The results of this trial will inform CHTC retesting guidance.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05833074; htps://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05833074.International registered report identifier (irrid)DERR1-10.2196/53023.

Project description:IntroductionAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with HIV face unique challenges and have poorer health outcomes than adults with HIV. Project YES! was a youth-led initiative to promote HIV self-management and reduce stigma among AYAs in four Ndola, Zambia clinics. Clinic health care providers (HCPs) were involved in multiple intervention aspects, including serving as expert resources during AYA and caregiver group meetings, facilitating resistance test-based AYA antiretroviral drug changes, meeting with participants referred through a safety protocol, and guiding a subset of participants' physical transition from pediatric to adult clinic settings. This study aimed to understand HCP insights on facilitators and barriers to implementing Project YES! and scaling up a clinic-based, youth-focused program.MethodsA trained interviewer conducted ten in-depth interviews with participating HCPs from November-December 2018 and analyzed data, identifying key themes. These themes were examined in terms of two implementation science outcomes-acceptability and feasibility-to inform scalability.ResultsHCPs found peer mentoring valuable for AYAs with HIV and the bimonthly caregiver meetings beneficial to AYA caregivers. HCPs voiced a desire for more involvement in specific processes related to patient clinical care, such as drug changes. HCPs' experiences with the study safety protocol, including referrals for youth experiences of violence, shifted their views of AYAs and informed their understanding of key issues youth face. Considering this, many HCPs requested more resources to support AYAs' varied needs. HCPs noted limited time and clinic space as implementation barriers but felt the program was valuable overall.ConclusionsHCPs concluded youth peer mentoring was highly acceptable and feasible, supporting scale-up of youth-led interventions addressing the multi-faceted needs of AYAs living with HIV. Continued provider involvement in resistance test-based antiretroviral drug changes, considered in the context of health system and clinic policy, would enhance long-term success of the program at scale.

Project description:BACKGROUND:HIV prevalence remains high among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, yet the majority of research has focused on MSM as individuals, not as dyads, and has discussed HIV risks primarily in the context of casual sex. Nexus is an online prevention program that combines home-based HIV testing and couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC). It allows partners in dyadic MSM relationships to receive HIV testing and care in the comfort of their designated residence, via video-based chat. By using video-based technologies (eg, VSee video chat), male couples receive counseling and support from a remote online counselor, while testing for HIV at home. OBJECTIVE:This randomized control trial (RCT) aims to examine the effects of video-based counseling combined with home-based HIV testing on couples' management of HIV risk, formation and adherence to explicit sexual agreements, and sexual risk-taking. METHODS:The research implements a prospective RCT of 400 online-recruited male couples: 200 self-reported concordant-negative couples and 200 self-reported discordant couples. Couples in the control arm will receive one or two home-based HIV self-testing kits and will be asked to report their results via the study's website. Couples in the experimental arm will receive one or two home-based HIV self-testing kits and will conduct these tests together under the facilitation of a remotely located counselor during a prescheduled VSee-based video CHTC session. Study assessments are taken at baseline, as well as at 3- and 6-month follow-up sessions. RESULTS:Project Nexus was launched in April 2016 and is ongoing. To date, 219 eligible couples have been enrolled and randomized. CONCLUSIONS:Combining home-based HIV testing with video-based counseling creates an opportunity to expand CHTC to male couples who (1) live outside metro areas, (2) live in rural areas without access to testing services or LGBTQ resources, or (3) feel that current clinic-based testing is not for them (eg, due to fears of discrimination associated with HIV and/or sexuality). TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02335138; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02335138 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qHxtNIdW).

Project description:OBJECTIVE:Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV (VCT) and increasing access to male condoms are common strategies to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Using biological and behavioral outcomes, we compared programs to increase access to VCT, male condoms or both among youth in Western Kenya with the standard available HIV prevention services within this setting. DESIGN:A four arm, unblinded randomized controlled trial. METHODS:The sample includes 10,245 youth aged 17 to 24 randomly assigned to receive community-based VCT, 150 male condoms, both VCT and condoms, or neither program. All had access to standard HIV services available within their communities. Surveys and blood samples for HSV-2 testing were collected at baseline (2009-2010) and at follow up (2011-2013). VCT was offered to all participants at follow up. HSV-2 prevalence, the primary outcome, was assessed using weighted logistic regressions in an intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS:For the 7,565 respondents surveyed at follow up, (effective tracking rate = 91%), the weighted HSV-2 prevalence was similar across groups (control group = 10.8%, condoms only group = 9.1%, VCT only group = 10.2%, VCT and condoms group = 11.5%). None of the interventions significantly reduced HSV-2 prevalence; the adjusted odds ratios were 0.87 (95% CI: 0.61-1.25) for condoms only, 0.94 (95% CI: 0.64-1.38) for VCT only, and 1.12 (95% CI: 0.79-1.58) for both interventions. The VCT intervention significantly increased HIV testing (adj OR: 3.54, 95% CI: 2.32-5.41 for VCT only, and adj OR: 5.52, 95% CI: 3.90-7.81 for condoms and VCT group). There were no statistically significant effects on risk of HIV, or on other behavioral or knowledge outcomes including self-reported pregnancy rates. CONCLUSION:This study suggests that systematic community-based VCT campaigns (in addition to VCT availability at local health clinics) and condom distribution are unlikely on their own to significantly reduce the prevalence of HSV-2 among youth.

Dataset Information

Predictors of first follow-up HIV testing for couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia.

Publications

Predictors of first follow-up HIV testing for couples' voluntary HIV counseling and testing in Ndola, Zambia.

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