Integration of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services for pregnant and breastfeeding women in eight primary care clinics: results of an implementation science study.

Background: Although HIV vertical transmission has declined significantly in sub-Saharan Africa, incident HIV infection in pregnant and postpartum women is estimated to account for over one-third of HIV vertical transmission. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW) is included in South African PrEP guidelines since 2021; however, integration of PrEP services within ante- and postnatal care remains limited.

Methods: Between March 2022 and September 2023, we evaluated the integration of PrEP for PBFW in eight antenatal clinics in Cape Town, South Africa, following training and mentorship of providers.

Integration of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services for pregnant and breastfeeding women in eight primary care clinics: results of an implementation science study.

Background: Although HIV vertical transmission (VT) has declined significantly in sub-Saharan Africa, incident HIV infection in pregnant and postpartum women is estimated to account for roughly one-third of VT. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW) is part of the recommended guidelines in South Africa since 2021; however, integration of PrEP services within antenatal (ANC) and postnatal care (PNC) remains limited.

Methods: Between March 2022 and September 2023, we evaluated the acceptability, feasibility and sustainability of integrating PrEP for PBFW in high-HIV prevalence clinics after training and mentoring health care providers (HCP).

Prevalence of curable STIs and bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: STIs remain a global public health problem with a high burden among pregnant women. STIs in pregnant women may lead to various adverse pregnancy outcomes. In most sub-Saharan African countries, syndromic management is used for screening and treatment of STIs.

Reaching underserved South Africans with integrated chronic disease screening and mobile HIV counselling and testing: A retrospective, longitudinal study conducted in Cape Town.

Background: Community-based, mobile HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may improve early diagnosis and referral for care in underserved populations. We evaluated HCT/NCD data and described population characteristics of those visiting a mobile clinic in high HIV disease burden settings in Cape Town, South Africa, between 2008 and 2016.

Methods: Trained counsellors registered patients ≥12 years old at a mobile clinic, which offered HCT and blood pressure, diabetes (glucose testing) and obesity (body mass index) screening.

Prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors of STIs during pregnancy in South Africa.

Objective: STIs during pregnancy increase adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes and may increase HIV risk. STI syndromic management is standard of care in South Africa. Our study evaluated the prevalence and incidence of STIs in pregnant women and the associated risk factors.

Partner notification and treatment for sexually transmitted infections among pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa.

Curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including (CT), (NG), and (TV) are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Partner notification is an important component of STI control as it has been shown to prevent re-infection and reduce infectious burden. Between October 2017 and February 2019, we conducted a cohort study of women attending antenatal care in Cape Town, South Africa.

Acceptability of index partner HIV self-testing among HIV-positive clients in Malawi: A mixed methods analysis.

Objective: We sought to evaluate whether HIV-positive adults in Malawi were willing to distribute HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits to their sexual partners of unknown HIV status (index HIVST).

Design: A mixed-methods study was nested within a larger HIVST trial conducted at 15 health facilities in Malawi. Exit surveys were conducted with HIV-positive adults during routine outpatient department visits to assess perceived acceptability of index partner HIVST versus standard partner referral slips that request partner(s) to attend the health facility.

High prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected pregnant women in a low-income South African community.

There is a lack of evidence on the burden of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) among HIV-infected pregnant women in South Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of HIV-infected pregnant women in two healthcare facilities in a South African township to determine the prevalence of CT, NG and TV. HIV-infected pregnant women were recruited during the first antenatal care visit for their current pregnancy and requested to self-collect vulvovaginal swab specimens.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection and new sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men.

We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize rates of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV versus MSM not using PrEP. Incidence rate ratios showed that MSM using PrEP were 25.3 times more likely to acquire a Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection, 11.