Publications by authors named "D R Bangsberg"

Background: Pregnant women are vulnerable to HIV acquisition. Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective for use during pregnancy. We describe PrEP adherence among pregnant women using multiple measures.

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Objective: We developed Healthy Families-PrEP to support perinatal women to use HIV prevention strategies.

Design: Single arm study to evaluate PrEP use among pregnant women exposed to the intervention.

Methods: We offered safer conception counselling including TDF/FTC as PrEP with adherence support (Healthy Families-PrEP) for women planning for pregnancy in South Africa with a partner with HIV or unknown serostatus.

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Safer conception strategies can minimize HIV acquisition during periconception periods among women living in HIV-endemic areas. We examined uptake and predictors of persistent use of the same safer conception strategy among a cohort of HIV-uninfected South African women ages 18-35 years planning for pregnancy with a partner living with HIV or of unknown HIV-serostatus. The safer conception strategies we evaluated included oral PrEP, condomless sex limited to peak fertility, and waiting for a better time to have a child (until, for example, the risks of HIV acquisition are reduced and/or the individual is prepared to care for a child); persistence was defined as using the same safer conception strategy from the first visit through 9 months follow-up.

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Access to water safe for consumption is critical for health and well-being, yet substantial structural barriers often necessitate household action to make water safer. Social norms about water treatment practices are understudied as a driver of personal water treatment practice. This study assesses reported and perceived water treatment practices among women in a rural, water insecure setting.

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Article Synopsis
  • The Healthy Families-PrEP intervention was designed to promote HIV prevention during the period around conception and pregnancy among women in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, enrolling HIV-uninfected women in relationships with partners of unknown HIV status.
  • Out of 330 enrolled women, 60% initiated PrEP, with adherence rates varying over time; factors like lower income, alcohol use, and higher HIV stigma negatively impacted adherence.
  • Despite some success in PrEP uptake, there were 11 instances of HIV-seroconversions in participants, none of whom had detectable levels of the drug, highlighting the need for improved strategies to reduce HIV risk in this demographic.
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