Emerging priorities for HIV service delivery.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Ford N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7021280 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Emerging priorities for HIV service delivery.
Ford Nathan N Geng Elvin E Ellman Tom T Orrell Catherine C Ehrenkranz Peter P Sikazwe Izukanji I Jahn Andreas A Rabkin Miriam M Ayisi Addo Stephen S Grimsrud Anna A Rosen Sydney S Zulu Isaac I Reidy William W Lejone Thabo T Apollo Tsitsi T Holmes Charles C Kolling Ana Francisca AF Phate Lesihla Rosina R Nguyen Huu Hai HH Bakashaba Baker B Chitembo Lastone L Tiriste Ghion G Doherty Meg M Bygrave Helen H
PLoS medicine 20200214 2
Nathan Ford and co-authors discuss global priorities in the provision of HIV prevention and treatment services. ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:Microbiome research has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by advances in technology and significant reductions in the cost of analysis. Such research has unlocked a wealth of data, which has yielded tremendous insight into the nature of the microbial communities, including their interactions and effects, both within a host and in an external environment as part of an ecological community. Understanding the role of microbiota, including their dynamic interactions with their hosts and other microbes, can enable the engineering of new diagnostic techniques and interventional strategies that can be used in a diverse spectrum of fields, spanning from ecology and agriculture to medicine and from forensics to exobiology. From June 19-23 in 2017, the NIH and NSF jointly held an Innovation Lab on Quantitative Approaches to Biomedical Data Science Challenges in our Understanding of the Microbiome. This review is inspired by some of the topics that arose as priority areas from this unique, interactive workshop. The goal of this review is to summarize the Innovation Lab's findings by introducing the reader to emerging challenges, exciting potential, and current directions in microbiome research. The review is broken into five key topic areas: (1) interactions between microbes and the human body, (2) evolution and ecology of microbes, including the role played by the environment and microbe-microbe interactions, (3) analytical and mathematical methods currently used in microbiome research, (4) leveraging knowledge of microbial composition and interactions to develop engineering solutions, and (5) interventional approaches and engineered microbiota that may be enabled by selectively altering microbial composition. As such, this review seeks to arm the reader with a broad understanding of the priorities and challenges in microbiome research today and provide inspiration for future investigation and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
| S-EPMC7042322 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe private health sector is an important source of sick child care, yet evidence gaps persist in best practices for integrated management of private sector child health services. Further, there is no prioritized research agenda to address these gaps. We used a Child Health and Nutrition Research Initiative (CHNRI) process to identify priority research questions in response to these evidence gaps. CHNRI is a consultative approach that entails prioritizing research questions by evaluating them against standardized criteria.MethodsWe engaged geographically and occupationally diverse experts in the private health sector and child health. Eighty-nine experts agreed to participate and provided 150 priority research questions. We consolidated submitted questions to reduce duplication into a final list of 50. We asked participants to complete an online survey to rank each question against 11 pre-determined criteria in four categories: (i) answerability, (ii) research feasibility, (iii) sustainability/equity, and (iv) importance/potential impact. Statistical data analysis was conducted in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc, Cary NC, USA). We weighted all 11 evaluation criteria equally to calculate the research priority score and average expert agreement for each question. We disaggregated results by location in high-income vs low- and middle-income countries.ResultsForty-nine participants (55.1%) completed the online survey, including 33 high-income and 16 low- and middle-income country respondents. The top, prioritized research question asks whether accreditation or regulation of private clinical and non-clinical sources of care would improve integrated management of childhood illness services. Four of the top ten research priorities were related to adherence to case management protocols. Other top research priorities were related to training and supportive supervision, digital health, and infant and newborn care. Research priorities among high-income and low- and middle-income country respondents were highly correlated.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first systematic exercise conducted to define research priorities for the management of childhood illness in the private sector. The research priorities put forth in this CHNRI exercise aim to stimulate interest from policy makers, program managers, researchers, and donors to respond to and help close evidence gaps hindering the acceleration of reductions in child mortality through private sector approaches.
| S-EPMC7750021 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations experience discrimination and care-related barriers when seeking appropriate sexual health services. Using rapid assessment procedures we conducted site visits with 11 community-based HIV service agencies to identify priorities, assets, and needs related to serving SGM clients and assessed the alignment of these services with the city's local Ending the HIV Epidemic plan. We identified and mapped themes across agencies into the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains of inner and outer settings: client-facing materials; priorities in serving SGM communities; SGM policies and protocols; collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data; training and education; and funding and scope of programs. Rapid assessment procedures can accelerate the collection and interpretation of data to help public health institutions and community partners make timely adaptations when implementing comprehensive and culturally humble sexual health services for SGM communities.
| S-EPMC10461513 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Integration of tuberculosis and HIV services in many resource-limited settings, including Ghana, has been far from optimal despite the existence of policy frameworks for integration. A previous study among programme managers and other stakeholders at the national level has documented tardiness in committing to the integration of services. In this paper, we aimed at unravelling pertinent challenges that confront TB-HIV integrated service delivery. Data were obtained from interviews with 31 individual health care providers operating under different models of TB-HIV service delivery. The study is framed around the Complexity Theory. We applied inductive and deductive techniques to code the data and validations were done through inter-rater mechanisms. The analysis was done with the assistance of QSR NVivo version 12. We found evidence of a convivial working relationship between TB-HIV service providers at the facility level. However, the interactions vary across models of care-the lesser the level of integration, the lesser the complexities for interactions that ensued. This had resulted in operational challenges on account of how the two-disease environment interacts with the other components of the health system. These challenges included; weak/inappropriate infrastructure, frail coordination between the two programmes and hospital administrators, under-staffing in comprehensive TB-HIV management, use of community facility under the Directly-Observed Treatment (DOT) protocols, and financial constraints. To fully appropriate the enormous benefits of TB-HIV service integration, there is a need to address these challenges.
| S-EPMC7347185 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Innovative human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing services will be needed to achieve the first 90 (90% of HIV-positive persons aware of their infection status) of the 90-90-90 target in China. Here, we describe an internet-based urine delivery testing service delivered through three pilot drugstores in Beijing that send specimens to a designated laboratory for HIV. From May 2016 to January 2017, we provided 500 HIV urine-testing service packs for display at the drugstores, and a total of 430 (86.0%) urine specimens were mailed back. All of the 430 urine specimens were of good quality and were tested. 70 urine specimens were HIV positive, showing a 16.3% (70/430) positivity rate. A total of 94.3% (66/70) of the HIV-positive participants obtained their test results through the internet, and 69.7% (46/66) of these participants received follow-up care. A total of 40 out of 46 (87.0%) participants agreed to have their results confirmed by a blood test, and 39 out of 40 (97.5%) participants were confirmed as HIV-1 positive, including two individuals that were previously diagnosed. Lastly, 28 out of 37 (75.7%) of the study participants were referred to the hospital and provided free antiviral treatment. Our data indicate that this innovative HIV testing service is effective and play an important role in HIV testing and surveillance.
| S-EPMC5823371 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSafer conception services promote the reproductive health and rights of families, while minimizing HIV transmission risks between partners trying to conceive, as well vertical transmission risks. Implementation data, including clients' experiences utilizing safer conception services in sub-Saharan Africa are limited.MethodsHillbrow Community Health Centre began offering safer conception services for individuals and couples affected by HIV in Johannesburg, South Africa in June 2015. A stratified sub-sample of safer conception clients were consecutively recruited from April 2016-August 2017 for a cross-sectional interview assessing clients' perceptions of service acceptability and value, as well as perceived safer conception knowledge and self-efficacy. Visual analog scales from 0 to 100 were used to measure clients' experiences; scores were classified as low, moderate and high acceptance/value/knowledge/self-efficacy if they were?<?50, 50-79 and???80 respectively. Comparisons of scores were made across safer conception visits attended.ResultsAmong 692 clients utilizing safer conception services, 120 (17%) were sampled for the process evaluation; sub-sample participant characteristics were similar to the overall cohort. Clients gave a mean score of ?90-points for each question assessing service acceptability and 96% (114/119) indicated a high perceived value (scores ?80) for regular safer conception attendance until conception. Fifty-eight percent (n =?70) of clients reported learning something new during the visit completed the day of the survey, though acquisition of new information tended to decrease as visits increased (p =?0.09). In terms of safer conception strategies, 80% of clients reported high levels of knowledge on the impact of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and viral suppression on HIV transmission, 67% reported high levels of knowledge of the importance of STI screening and 56% regarding limiting condomless sex to days of peak fertility; 34% in sero-different relationships reported high pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) knowledge. Self-efficacy varied by safer conception methods and was similar across study visits.ConclusionsClients perceived high value from their safer conception visits and preferred regular attendance until conception, however we observed a plateau in knowledge and self-efficacy across subsequent visits after initially attending safer conception care. More intensive services may be appropriate for certain clients based on clinical circumstances, but many couples may potentially receive a 'lighter touch' approach while still minimizing HIV transmission risks.
| S-EPMC6538560 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aims and methodPatient and public involvement (PPI) is a priority for health research. PPI improves the relevance and quality of research. The study aimed to involve service users in identifying research priorities for the service. A two-phase adapted Delphi technique was used to generate a list of research topics from service users in secure in-patient mental health settings and on specialist mental health prison wings. Topic content analysis was undertaken. Service users were further consulted, and research themes were ranked in order of priority.ResultsOf the eight research themes identified, the three given the highest priority by service users were, in descending order, physical health, future plans and moving on, and causes of illness and crime.Clinical implicationsService users are willing to be involved in setting research priorities for mental health services. Through non-tokenistic PPI, service users can uniquely shape the research agenda of mental health services.
| S-EPMC8727379 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Introduction: Offering HIV testing services (HTS) within sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is a priority, especially for women who have a substantial risk. To reach women with HIV who do not know their status and prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends routinely offering HTS as part of family planning (FP) service delivery in high HIV burden settings. We conducted a landscape analysis to assess HTS uptake and HIV positivity in the context of FP/SRH services. Assessment of Research and Programs: We searched records from PubMed, four gray literature databases, and 13 organization websites, and emailed 24 organizations for data on HTS in FP/SRH services. We also obtained data from International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) affiliates in Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Unique programs/studies from records were included if they provided data on, or barriers/facilitators to, offering HTS in FP/SRH. Overall, 2,197 records were screened and 12 unique programs/studies were eligible, including 10 from sub-Saharan Africa. Four reported on co-delivery of SRH services (including FP), with reported HTS uptake between 17 and 94%. Six reported data on HTS in FP services: four among general FP clients; one among couples; and one among female sex workers, adolescent girls, and young women. Two of the six reported HTS uptake >50% (51%, 419/814 Kenya; 63%, 5,930/9,439 Uganda), with positivity rates of 2% and 4.1%, respectively. Uptake was low (8%, 74/969 Kenya) in the one FP program offering pre-exposure prophylaxis. In the IPPF program, seven countries reported HTS uptake in FP services and ranged from 4% in Eswatini to 90% in Lesotho; between 0.6% (Uganda) and 8% (Eswatini) of those tested were HIV positive. Implications: Data on providing HTS in FP/SRH service delivery were sparse and HTS uptake varied widely across programs. Actionable Recommendations: As countries expand HTS in FP/SRH appropriate to epidemiology, they should ensure data are reported and monitored for progress and impact.
| S-EPMC9580748 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Oral mesalazine represents a crucial front-line agent for the treatment of active ulcerative colitis (UC) and the maintenance of remission. Clinical aspects of mesalazine therapy are guided by robust evidence-based guidelines, although there is a relative paucity of guidance examining the specific administrative and professional issues faced by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) nurses. As IBD nurses frequently influence treatment decisions in UC, this article was written to provide a practical review of the key evidence and issues affecting mesalazine treatment. Therefore, it may act as an additional resource for IBD nurses, to enhance prescribing decisions. Using the UK's Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) agenda as a framework, it considers clinical and health service priorities affecting treatment decisions. The quality of care perspective naturally focuses on efficacy; recent interest in specific aspects of efficacy, such as the speed of symptom resolution allows targeting of mesalazine treatment to individual needs. Furthermore, innovative adherence programmes build on the latest evidence to develop robust, integrated patient support approaches. In terms of productivity, nurse-led activities and more sophisticated management strategies may offer the best routes towards reducing the costs of care. Key opportunities for preventing ill health include improving adherence to maintenance therapy and achieving mucosal healing. The principles and approaches highlighted by the QIPP agenda emphasise that prescribing decisions for mesalazine in UC must take account of the full spectrum of clinical and health service needs, and cannot focus on any one element in isolation.
| S-EPMC3963542 | biostudies-other
Project description:Over 50% of new AIDS/HIV diagnoses are older adults and disproportionately African American people. Longstanding health inequities, driven by the enduring nature of systemic racism, pose challenges to obtaining optimal HIV services. Patient experiences and identities shape the health care experience, yet patient voices are often minimized, including their assessment of quality HIV care. Understanding these markers of care, including facilitators of and barriers to care and engagement, may help enhance the patient voice, potentially improving service delivery and eradicating HIV healthcare disparities. Using a convergent mixed method design, our study identifies patient-identified markers of quality care among older African Americans (N = 35). Measurements of global stress, HIV stigma, and engagement in care were collected, and in-depth qualitative interviews explored the symbols of quality care as well as facilitators of and barriers to care. We identified widespread participant awareness and recognition of quality care, the detection of facilitators and barriers across individual, clinic, and community levels. Facilitators of care include diet, health, relationships, community support, and compassionate HIV care. Barriers to care include health comorbidities, economic, food, and housing insecurity, lack of transportation, and structural racism. Our findings illuminate how the prominence of barriers to care often uproot facilitators of care, creating impediments to HIV service delivery as patients transition through the HIV care continuum. We offer implications for practice and policy, as well as recommendations for reducing structural barriers to care by enhancing the patient voice and for aligning services toward compassionate and inclusive care.
| S-EPMC8781691 | biostudies-literature