Cultural adaption, translation, preliminary reliability and validity of psychological and behavioural measures for adolescents living with HIV in Botswana: A multi-stage approach.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant public health issue among young people living in Botswana. There is a need for reliable and valid psychological and behavioural measures of causally important constructs for this population. We developed a new HIV knowledge measure for use with 10-19-year-olds living with HIV and translated and adapted additional tools measuring HIV adjustment, HIV disclosure cognitions and affect, HIV communication beliefs, antiretroviral (ART) adherence, and self-esteem, using a multi-step process.

The role of migration networks in the development of Botswana's generalized HIV epidemic.

The majority of people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, where epidemics are generalized. For these epidemics to develop, populations need to be mobile. However, the role of population-level mobility in the development of generalized HIV epidemics has not been studied.

Population mobility and the development of Botswana's generalized HIV epidemic: a network analysis.

The majority of people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV epidemics are generalized. For these epidemics to develop, populations need to be mobile. However, population-level mobility has not yet been studied in the context of the development of generalized HIV epidemics.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Services for HIV Prevention, Sub-Saharan Africa, 2020.

Beginning in March 2020, to reduce COVID-19 transmission, the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief supporting voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) services was delayed in 15 sub-Saharan African countries. We reviewed performance indicators to compare the number of VMMCs performed in 2020 with those performed in previous years. In all countries, the annual number of VMMCs performed decreased 32.

The potential impact of country-level migration networks on HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Botswana.

Generalised HIV epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa show substantial geographical variation in prevalence, which is considered when designing epidemic control strategies. We hypothesise that the migratory behaviour of the general population of countries in sub-Saharan Africa could have a substantial effect on HIV epidemics and challenge the elimination effort. To test this hypothesis, we used census data from 2017 to identify, construct, and visualise the migration network of the population of Botswana, which has one of the most severe HIV epidemics worldwide.

Community attitudes on tuberculosis in Botswana: an opportunity for improving the National Tuberculosis Programme outcomes, 2011.

Objectives: The Botswana tuberculosis HIV Knowledge Attitude and Practice study sought to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of communities on TB and identify sources of their information on this disease and HIV. Specific objectives of the study were to: (a) collect baseline information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about tuberculosis treatment seeking and adherence behaviors in Botswana. (b) Identify barriers which discourage people who may have smear positive tuberculosis from testing and getting treatment (e.

Participant Experiences and Views of Odor and PrePex Device Removal Pain in a VMMC Pilot Study in Botswana.

Objective: To assess participant experiences and perceptions of removal pain and odor associated with the PrePex device procedure.

Methods: We analyzed data from a PrePex device pilot implementation study of 802 male participants aged 18-49 years at 2 clinics in Botswana, 2013. Study staff administered survey questions on device-related odor and assessed pain using visual analog scale scores categorized as no pain (0), mild (1-4), moderate (5-7), or severe pain (8-10).

Outcomes of the Botswana national HIV/AIDS treatment programme from 2002 to 2010: a longitudinal analysis.

Background: Short-term mortality rates among patients with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa are higher than those recorded in high-income countries, but systematic long-term comparisons have not been made because of the scarcity of available data. We analysed the effect of the implementation of Botswana's national ART programme, known as Masa, from 2002 to 2010.

Methods: The Masa programme started on Jan 21, 2002.

Impediments for the uptake of the Botswana government's male circumcision initiative for HIV prevention.

Botswana remains one of the countries with high prevalence of HIV infection with a population prevalence rate of 17.6 in 2008. In 2009, the Ministry of Health launched male circumcision as an additional strategy to the already existing HIV preventive efforts.

Establishing a health information workforce: innovation for low- and middle-income countries.

Background: To address the shortage of health information personnel within Botswana, an innovative human resources approach was taken. University graduates without training or experience in health information or health sciences were hired and provided with on-the-job training and mentoring to create a new cadre of health worker: the district Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer. This article describes the early outcomes, achievements, and challenges from this initiative.

Sexual and reproductive health needs of HIV-positive women in Botswana - a study of health care worker's views.

Botswana's HIV prevalence is one of the highest in the world at 31.8% in the 15-49 years antenatal population. Being HIV-positive for a woman presents unique challenges with regard to sexuality, child bearing, and partner relations.

The Madikwe Forum: a comprehensive partnership for supporting governance of Botswana's HIV and AIDS response.

There is a need for actors within the philanthropic sector to pursue collaborative partnerships with developing nations which could result in sustainable country-led responses to HIV and AIDS. There is also a need to evaluate the structures governing these partnerships in order to determine their effectiveness in strengthening national responses to HIV and AIDS. This article presents findings from a qualitative study of a governance structure of the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships (ACHAP), namely the Madikwe Forum.

Modeling dynamic interactions between pre-exposure prophylaxis interventions & treatment programs: predicting HIV transmission & resistance.

Clinical trials have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV infection. Consequently, PrEP may soon be used for epidemic control. We model the dynamic interactions that will occur between treatment programs and potential PrEP interventions in resource-constrained countries.

Use of dual protection in Botswana.

High rates of unintended pregnancy and of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections prompt calls for use of "dual-protection" strategies, including consistent condom use or dual-method use. This study examines the use of dual-protection strategies in a sample of 15-49-year-old men and women in Botswana in 2003. Half of sexually active respondents reported consistent condom use in the past year; 2.

The cost and impact of male circumcision on HIV/AIDS in Botswana.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a major issue facing Botswana, with overall adult HIV prevalence estimated to be 25.7 percent in 2007. This paper estimates the cost and impact of the draft Ministry of Health male circumcision strategy using the UNAIDS/WHO Decision-Makers' Programme Planning Tool (DMPPT).

Initial response to highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1C-infected adults in a public sector treatment program in Botswana.

Objective: To describe the response to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in a public sector pilot antiretroviral (ARV) treatment program in Botswana.

Methods: The response to HAART is described in adult HIV-infected ARV-naive patients initiating treatment from April 2001 to January 2002 at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Patients had medical and laboratory evaluations before initiating ARV treatment and were followed longitudinally.