Acceptability of six-monthly PrEP dispensing supported with interim HIV self-testing to simplify PrEP delivery in Kenya: findings from qualitative research.

Background: In Africa, dispensing oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) within already strained public health facilities has led to prolonged waiting periods and suboptimal experiences for clients. We sought to explore the acceptability of dispensing PrEP semiannually with interim HIV self-testing (HIVST) versus quarterly PrEP dispensing with clinic-based HIV testing to optimize clinic-delivered PrEP services.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study within a non-inferiority individual-level randomized controlled trial testing the effect of six-monthly PrEP dispensing with HIVST compared to the standard-of-care three-monthly PrEP dispensing on PrEP clinical outcomes in Kenya (ClinicalTrials.

Hepatitis B prevalence and risk factors among adults living with HIV in South Africa: a clinic-based cohort study.

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) may have concurrent Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection, and certain antiretroviral therapies are recommended for HBV-HIV co-infected individuals. Routine screening for Hepatitis B virus may influence management of antiretroviral therapy for PLHIV, but risk factors for co-infection have not been well defined. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for HBV infection among PLHIV in South Africa.

Convergent effects of different anesthetics on changes in phase alignment of cortical oscillations.

Many anesthetics cause loss of responsiveness despite having diverse underlying molecular and circuit actions. To explore the convergent effects of these drugs, we examined how anesthetic doses of ketamine and dexmedetomidine affected oscillations in the prefrontal cortex of nonhuman primates. Both anesthetics caused increases in phase locking in the ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, within and across hemispheres.

Effect of 6-Month HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Dispensing With Interim Self-testing on Preexposure Prophylaxis Continuation at 12 Months: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

Importance: Daily oral HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery requires quarterly clinic visits for HIV testing and drug refilling that are costly to health systems and clients.

Objective: To evaluate whether 6-month PrEP dispensing supported with interim HIV self-testing (HIVST) results in noninferior PrEP continuation outcomes at 12 months compared with standard quarterly clinic visits.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This randomized noninferiority trial was conducted from May 2018 to May 2021 with 12 months of follow-up among PrEP clients aged 18 years or older who were returning for their first refill at a research clinic in Kiambu County, Kenya.

Efficiency of 6-month PrEP dispensing with HIV self-testing in Kenya: an open-label, randomised, non-inferiority, implementation trial.

Background: Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention is highly effective and is being implemented at scale at health clinics throughout sub-Saharan Africa. However, barriers to clinic-based PrEP delivery remain. We aimed to establish the efficiency of semiannual PrEP clinic visits supplemented with interim home-based HIV self-testing (HIVST) versus standard of care for HIV testing, drug refilling, and adherence among PrEP users.