Dataset Information

Performance of point-of-care birth HIV testing in primary health care clinics: An observational cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Failure to timely diagnose HIV in infants is a major barrier for scaling-up paediatric antiretroviral treatment (ART). WHO recommends birth testing for earlier diagnosis and to improve test coverage, but current diagnosis takes 2-3 weeks to complete, thereby limiting the ability of care givers to provide follow-on care, especially in low-resource settings. We evaluated the benefit of implementing rapid diagnosis of HIV at birth in primary health care maternity wards in Mozambique.

Methods and findings

Infants born to HIV-infected mothers delivering consecutively at eight primary health care clinics were tested within 24 hours of delivery using on-site POC (Alere q HIV1/2 Detect) and standard laboratory (Roche COBAS AmpliPrep/TaqMan HIV-1 qualitative assay v2.0) testing. Infants were also tested at 4-6 weeks of age with both assays. Of 2,350 HIV-exposed infants enrolled in this implementation research study, 33 tested HIV-positive at birth on both assays. Sensitivity and specificity of POC testing compared with laboratory testing at birth were 100% (95% CI 89·4-100·0) and 100% (95% CI 99·8-100·0), respectively. At 4-6 weeks of age, 61 infants were identified as HIV-positive; of these 29 (47·5%) had a positive test at birth. Testing at both birth and 4-6 weeks identified 71 HIV-positive infants compared with 61 infants by testing at 4-6 weeks alone, a 16% increase. Two infants tested positive at birth but tested HIV-negative during follow-up.

Conclusions

Adding POC birth testing to the 4-6 week screen may increase access to HIV diagnosis and expedite ART initiation in primary health care settings within low resource settings. Guidance on appropriate confirmatory HIV testing algorithms for birth testing is needed.

SUBMITTER: Meggi B

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6005575 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Performance of point-of-care birth HIV testing in primary health care clinics: An observational cohort study.

Meggi Bindiya B Vojnov Lara L Mabunda Nedio N Vubil Adolfo A Zitha Alcina A Tobaiwa Ocean O Mudenyanga Chishamiso C Mutsaka Dadirayi D Bollinger Timothy T Loquiha Osvaldo O Peter Trevor F TF Jani Ilesh V IV

PloS one 20180618 6

<h4>Background</h4>Failure to timely diagnose HIV in infants is a major barrier for scaling-up paediatric antiretroviral treatment (ART). WHO recommends birth testing for earlier diagnosis and to improve test coverage, but current diagnosis takes 2-3 weeks to complete, thereby limiting the ability of care givers to provide follow-on care, especially in low-resource settings. We evaluated the benefit of implementing rapid diagnosis of HIV at birth in primary health care maternity wards in Mozambi ...[more]

PMID: 29912987

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Project description:BackgroundTo address inequitable diagnostic access and improve time-to-treatment for First Nations peoples, molecular point-of-care (POC) testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas was integrated into 49 primary care clinics across Australia. We conducted an observational evaluation to determine clinical effectiveness and analytical quality of POC testing delivered through this national program.MethodsWe evaluated (i) implementation by measuring trends in mean monthly POC testing; ii) clinical effectiveness by comparing proportions of positive patients treated by historical control/intervention period and by test type, and calculated infectious days averted; (iii) analytical quality by calculating result concordance by test type, and proportion of unsuccessful POC tests.FindingsBetween 2016 and 2022, 46,153 POC tests were performed; an increasing mean monthly testing trend was observed in the first four years (p < 0.0001). A greater proportion of chlamydia/gonorrhoea positives were treated in intervention compared with historical control periods (≤2 days: 37% vs 22% [RR 1.68; 95% CI 1.12, 2.53]; ≤7 days: 48% vs 30% [RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.10, 2.33]; ≤120 days: 79% vs 54% [RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.10, 1.95]); similarly for trichomonas positives and by test type. POC testing for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomonas averted 4930, 5620 and 7075 infectious days, respectively. Results concordance was high [99.0% (chlamydia), 99.3% (gonorrhoea) and 98.9% (trichomonas)]; unsuccessful POC test proportion was 1.8% for chlamydia/gonorrhoea and 2.1% for trichomonas.InterpretationMolecular POC testing was successfully integrated into primary care settings as part of a routinely implemented program achieving significant clinical benefits with high analytical quality. In addition to the individual health benefits of earlier treatment, fewer infective days could contribute to reduced transmissions in First Nations communities.FundingThis work was supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Partnership Grant (APP1092503), the Australian Government Department of Health, Western Australia and Queensland Departments of Health.

Project description:BackgroundInfant HIV diagnosis by HIV DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing at the standard 6 weeks of age is often late to mitigate the mortality peak that occurs in HIV positive infants' first 2-3 months of life. Kenya recently revised their early infant diagnosis (EID) guidelines to include HIV DNA PCR testing at birth (pilot only), 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postnatal and a final 18-month antibody test. The World Health Organization (WHO) approved point-of-care (POC) diagnostic platforms for infant HIV testing in resource-limited countries that could simplify logistics and expedite infant diagnosis. Sustainable scale-up and optimal utility in Kenya and other high-prevalence countries depend on robust implementation studies in diverse clinical settings.MethodsWe will pilot the implementation of birth testing by HIV DNA PCR, as well as two POC testing systems (Xpert HIV-1 Qual [Xpert] and Alere q HIV-1/2 Detect [Alere q]), on specimens collected from Kenyan infants at birth (0 to 2 weeks) and 6 weeks (4 to < 24 weeks) postnatal. The formative phase will inform optimal implementation of birth testing and two POC testing technologies. Qualitative interviews with stakeholders (providers, parents of HIV-exposed infants, and community members) will assess attitudes, barriers, and recommendations to optimize implementation at their respective sites. A non-blinded pilot study at four Kenyan hospitals (n = 2 Xpert, n = 2 Alere q platforms) will evaluate infant HIV POC testing compared with standard of care HIV DNA PCR testing in both the birth and 6-week windows. Objectives of the pilot are to assess uptake, efficiency, quality, implementation variables, user experiences of birth testing with both POC testing systems or with HIV DNA PCR, and costs.DiscussionThis study will generate data on the clinical impact and feasibility of adding HIV testing at birth utilizing POC and traditional PCR HIV testing strategies in resource-limited settings. Data from this pilot will inform the optimal implementation of Kenya's birth testing guidelines and of POC testing systems for the improvement of EID outcomes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03435887. Registered 26 February 2018.

Project description:Background: Point of-care (POC) HIV-1 RNA tests which are accurate and easy to use with limited infrastructure are needed in resource-limited settings (RLS). We systematically reviewed evidence of POC test performance compared to laboratory-based HIV-1 RNA assays and the potential utility of these tests for diagnosis and care in RLS.Methods: Studies published up to July 2018 were identified by a search of PUBMED, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Studies evaluating the use of POC HIV-1 RNA testing for early infant diagnosis (EID), acute HIV infection (AHI) diagnosis, or viral load monitoring (VL), compared to centralized testing, were included. Separate search strategies were used for each testing objective.Results: 197 abstracts were screened and 34 full-text articles were assessed, of which 32 met inclusion criteria. Thirty studies evaluated performance and diagnostic accuracy of POC tests compared to standard reference tests. Two of the thirty and two additional studies with no comparative testing reported on clinical utility of POC results. Five different POC tests (Cepheid GeneXpert HIV-1 Quantitative and Qualitative assays, Alere q HIV-1/2 Detect, SAMBA, Liat HIV Quant and Aptima HIV-1 Quant) were used in 21 studies of VL, 11 of EID and 2 of AHI. POC tests were easy to use, had rapid turnaround times, and comparable accuracy and precision to reference technologies. Sensitivity and specificity were high for EID and AHI but lower for VL. For VL, lower sensitivity was reported for whole blood and dried blood spots compared to plasma samples. Reported error rates for Cepheid GeneXpert Qual (2.0%-5.0%), GeneXpert Quant (2.5%-17.0%) and Alere q HIV-1/2 Detect (3.1%-11.0%) were higher than in WHO prequalification reports. Most errors resolved with retesting; however, inadequate sample volumes often precluded repeat testing. Only two studies used POC results for clinical management, one for EID and another for VL. POC EID resulted in shorter time-to-result, rapid ART initiation, and better retention in care compared to centralised testing.Conclusions: Performance of POC HIV-1 RNA tests is comparable to reference assays, and have potential to improve patient outcomes. Additional studies on implementation in limited-resources settings are needed.

Project description:BackgroundIn sub-Saharan Africa, HIV, syphilis, malaria and anaemia are leading preventable causes of adverse pregnancy outcomes. In Kenya, policy states women should be tested for all four conditions (malaria only if febrile) at first antenatal care (ANC) visit. In practice, while HIV screening is conducted, coverage of screening for the others is suboptimal and early pregnancy management of illnesses is compromised. This is particularly evident at rural dispensaries that lack laboratories and have parallel programmes for HIV, reproductive health and malaria, resulting in fractured and inadequate care for women.MethodsA longitudinal eight-month implementation study integrating point-of-care diagnostic tests for the four conditions into routine ANC was conducted in seven purposively selected dispensaries in western Kenya. Testing proficiency of healthcare workers was observed at initial training and at three monthly intervals thereafter. Adoption of testing was compared using ANC register data 8.5 months before and eight months during the intervention. Fidelity to clinical management guidelines was determined by client exit interviews with success defined as ≥90% adherence.FindingsFor first ANC visits at baseline (n = 529), testing rates were unavailable for malaria, low for syphilis (4.3%) and anaemia (27.8%), and near universal for HIV (99%). During intervention, over 95% of first attendees (n = 586) completed four tests and of those tested positive, 70.6% received penicillin or erythromycin for syphilis, 65.5% and 48.3% received cotrimoxazole and antiretrovirals respectively for HIV, and 76.4% received artemether/lumefantrine, quinine or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine correctly for malaria. Iron and folic supplements were given to nearly 90% of women but often at incorrect doses.ConclusionsIntegrating point-of-care testing into ANC at dispensaries with established HIV testing programmes resulted in a significant increase in testing rates, without disturbing HIV testing rates. While more cases were detected and treated, treatment fidelity still requires strengthening and an integrated monitoring and evaluation system needs to be established.

Project description:BACKGROUND:In 2014, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) adopted a screening test policy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in all "Baby Boomers" - those born between 1945 and 1965. About 1 in 12 Veterans were estimated to be infected with HCV yet approximately 34% of the birth cohort remained untested. Early HCV diagnosis and successful antiviral treatment decrease the risk of onward transmission, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplant, and death. Implementing evidence-based HCV screening in primary care has great potential to reduce morbidity and mortality. To inform design and implementation of a quality improvement intervention, we studied primary care provider (PCP) perceptions of and experiences with HCV birth cohort testing. METHODS:We conducted a formative evaluation using qualitative semi-structured interviews guided by the integrated Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework. Twenty-two PCPs in six states across a large integrated US healthcare system were interviewed. Content analysis with a priori and emergent codes was performed on verbatim interview transcripts. RESULTS:We identified three themes related to primary care provider HCV testing and linkage practices, as mapped to i-PARIHS constructs: 1) evaluating cues to HCV testing (innovation/evidence), 2) framing HCV testing decisions (recipients), and 3) HCV testing and linkage to care in the new treatment era (context). The most frequently reported HCV testing cue was an electronic clinical reminder alert, followed by clinical markers and the presence of behavioral risk factors. Most PCPs saw testing as routine, but less urgent, leading to some reluctance. Providers largely saw themselves as performing guideline-concordant testing, yet no performance data were available to assess performance. Given the recent availability of new HCV medications, many PCPs were highly motivated to test and link patients to specialty care for treatment. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest a multi-component intervention around awareness and education, feedback of performance data, clinical reminder updates, and leadership support, would address both a significant need, and be deemed acceptable and feasible to primary care providers.

Project description:BACKGROUND:At-birth and point-of-care (POC) HIV testing are emerging strategies to streamline infant HIV diagnosis and expedite ART initiation for HIV-positive infants. The purpose of this qualitative study was to evaluate factors influencing the provision and acceptance of at-birth POC testing among both HIV care providers and parents of HIV-exposed infants in Kenya. METHODS:We conducted semi-structured interviews with 26 HIV care providers and 35 parents of HIV-exposed infants (including 23 mothers, 6 fathers, and 3 mother-father pairs) at four study hospitals prior to POC implementation. An overview of best available evidence related to POC was presented to participants prior to each interview. Interviews probed about standard EID services, perceived benefits and risk of at-birth and POC testing, and suggested logistics of providing at-birth and POC. Interviews were audio recorded, translated (if necessary), and transcribed verbatim. Using the Transdisciplinary Model of Evidence Based Practice to guide analysis, transcripts were coded based on a priori themes related to environmental context, patient characteristics, and resources. RESULTS:Most providers (24/26) and parents (30/35) held favorable attitudes towards at-birth POC testing. The potential for earlier results to improve infant care and reduce parental anxiety drove preferences for at-birth POC testing. Parents with unfavorable views towards at-birth POC testing preferred standard testing at 6 weeks so that mothers could heal after birth and have time to bond with their newborn before-possibly-learning that their child was HIV-positive. Providers identified lack of resources (shortage of staff, expertise, and space) as a barrier. DISCUSSION:While overall acceptability of at-birth POC testing among HIV care providers and parents of HIV-exposed infants may facilitate uptake, barriers remain. Applying a task-shifting approach to implementation and ensuring providers receive training on at-birth POC testing may mitigate provider-related challenges. Comprehensive counseling throughout the antenatal and postpartum periods may mitigate patient-related challenges.

Project description:BackgroundAt-birth and point-of-care (POC) testing can expedite early infant diagnosis of HIV and improve infant outcomes. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), this study describes the implementation of an at-birth POC testing pilot from the perspective of implementing providers and identifies the factors that might support and hinder the scale up of these promising interventions.MethodsWe conducted 28 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 48 providers across 4 study sites throughout the course of a pilot study assessing the feasibility and impact of at-birth POC testing. FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for a priori themes related to CFIR constructs. This qualitative study was nested within a larger study to pilot and evaluate at-birth and POC HIV testing.ResultsOut of the 39 CFIR constructs, 30 were addressed in the FGDs. While all five domains were represented, major themes revolved around constructs related to intervention characteristics, inner setting, and outer setting. Regarding intervention characteristics, the advantages of at-birth POC (rapid turnaround time resulting in improved patient management and enhanced patient motivation) were significant enough to encourage provider uptake and enthusiasm. Challenges at the intervention level (machine breakdown, processing errors), inner settings (workload, limited leadership engagement, challenges with access to information), and outer setting (patient-level challenges, limited engagement with outer setting stakeholders) hindered implementation, frustrated providers, and resulted in missed opportunities for testing. Providers discussed how throughout the course of the study adaptations to implementation (improved channels of communication, modified implementation logistics) were made to overcome some of these challenges. To improve implementation, providers cited the need for enhanced training and for greater involvement among stakeholders outside of the implementing team (i.e., other clinicians, hospital administrators and implementing partners, county and national health officials). Despite provider enthusiasm for the intervention, providers felt that the lack of engagement from leadership within the hospital and in the outer setting would preclude sustained implementation outside of a research setting.ConclusionDespite demonstrated feasibility and enthusiasm among implementing providers, the lack of outer setting support makes sustained implementation of at-birth POC testing unlikely at this time. The findings highlight the multi-dimensional aspect of implementation and the need to consider facilitators and barriers within each of the five CFIR domains.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03435887 . Retrospectively registered on 19 February 2020.

Project description:Significant numbers of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections are transmitted unknowingly, making efforts to increase HIV testing accessibility crucial. As trusted healthcare providers, pharmacists can increase accessibility of HIV screening and referral services. However, challenges with lack of private counseling and testing space, need for training and education, lack of adequate staffing, heavy workload, and uncertainty supporting patients with reactive results have been previously reported by community pharmacists as barriers to offering HIV screening. The objective of this study was to investigate pharmacists' opinions of strategies for addressing these barriers. A survey was developed to gather information regarding steps that could be taken to increase pharmacist comfort and interest offering HIV point-of-care testing (POCT) services. Thirty pharmacies were contacted and representatives from twenty-six responded. Pharmacists reported that they were likely or very likely to offer HIV POCT if they were given the following: a 2 h training session on administering and interpreting HIV POCT (73%); a 4 h education session on a variety of HIV education topics (73%); training about couples testing, post-test counseling, and de-escalation techniques (58%); or a semi-annual CE training (58%). Pharmacist respondents were likely or very likely (81%) to implement HIV POCT if there was a protocol in place so that patients with a reactive screening would out be referred for diagnostic testing and if there was a script provided as a template for post-test counseling (81%). The majority of pharmacists (69%) also preferred the appointment-based model rather than a walk-in or combination option and preferred (77%) having 20-30 min of dedicated time with the patient to provide adequate testing, education, and counseling. By using these strategies to improve comfort and likelihood implementing HIV POCT, pharmacists can increase access to HIV testing and decrease the spread of HIV.

Dataset Information

Performance of point-of-care birth HIV testing in primary health care clinics: An observational cohort study.

Background

Methods and findings

Conclusions

Publications

Performance of point-of-care birth HIV testing in primary health care clinics: An observational cohort study.

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