Differences in Reasons for Late Presentation to HIV Care in Uganda Among Men and Women.

Late presentation to HIV care, i.e., presenting with < 200 CD4 cells/mL, is associated with higher mortality and worse outcomes.

HIV care and treatment models and their association with medication possession ratio among treatment-experienced adults in three African countries.

Objective: How clinics structure the delivery of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services may influence patient adherence. We assessed the relationship between models of HIV care delivery and adherence as measured by medication possession ratio (MPR) among treatment-experienced adults in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Methods: Eighteen clinics were grouped into three models of HIV care.

Identifying models of HIV care and treatment service delivery in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia using cluster analysis and Delphi survey.

Background: Organization of HIV care and treatment services, including clinic staffing and services, may shape clinical and financial outcomes, yet there has been little attempt to describe different models of HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Information about the relative benefits and drawbacks of different models could inform the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and associated services in resource-limited settings (RLS), especially in light of expanded client populations with country adoption of WHO's test and treat recommendation.

Methods: We characterized task-shifting/task-sharing practices in 19 diverse ART clinics in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia and used cluster analysis to identify unique models of service provision.

To err is human, to correct is public health: a systematic review examining poor quality testing and misdiagnosis of HIV status.

Introduction: In accordance with global testing and treatment targets, many countries are seeking ways to reach the "90-90-90" goals, starting with diagnosing 90% of all people with HIV. Quality HIV testing services are needed to enable people with HIV to be diagnosed and linked to treatment as early as possible. It is essential that opportunities to reach people with undiagnosed HIV are not missed, diagnoses are correct and HIV-negative individuals are not inadvertently initiated on life-long treatment.

Persons living with HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy also consulting traditional healers: a study in three African countries.

Traditional healers provide healthcare to a substantial proportion of people living with HIV infection (PLHIV) in high HIV burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the impact on the health of retained patients visiting traditional healers is unknown. In 2011, a study to asses adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) performed in 18 purposefully selected HIV treatment centers in Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda showed that 'consulting a traditional healer/herbalist because of HIV' was an independent risk factor for incomplete ART adherence.

Epidemiology and Surveillance of Influenza Viruses in Uganda between 2008 and 2014.

Introduction: Influenza surveillance was conducted in Uganda from October 2008 to December 2014 to identify and understand the epidemiology of circulating influenza strains in out-patient clinic attendees with influenza-like illness and inform control strategies.

Methodology: Surveillance was conducted at five hospital-based sentinel sites. Nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal samples, epidemiological and clinical data were collected from enrolled patients.

Reasons for Missing Antiretroviral Therapy: Results from a Multi-Country Study in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Objectives: To identify the reasons patients miss taking their antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the proportion who miss their ART because of symptoms; and to explore the association between symptoms and incomplete adherence.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected during a cross-sectional study that examined ART adherence among adults from 18 purposefully selected sites in Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. We interviewed 250 systematically selected patients per facility (≥ 18 years) on reasons for missing ART and symptoms they had experienced (using the HIV Symptom Index).

Lower Levels of Antiretroviral Therapy Enrollment Among Men with HIV Compared with Women - 12 Countries, 2002-2013.

Equitable access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for men and women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a principle endorsed by most countries and funding bodies, including the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) Relief (PEPFAR) (1).

Incomplete adherence among treatment-experienced adults on antiretroviral therapy in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Objectives: To characterize antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence across different programmes and examine the relationship between individual and programme characteristics and incomplete adherence among ART clients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: Systematically selected ART clients (≥18 years; on ART ≥6 months) attending 18 facilities in three countries (250 clients/facility) were interviewed.

Antiretroviral therapy enrollment characteristics and outcomes among HIV-infected adolescents and young adults compared with older adults--seven African countries, 2004-2013.

Although scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2005 has contributed to declines of about 30% in the global annual number of human immunodeficiency (HIV)-related deaths and declines in global HIV incidence, estimated annual HIV-related deaths among adolescents have increased by about 50% and estimated adolescent HIV incidence has been relatively stable. In 2012, an estimated 2,500 (40%) of all 6,300 daily new HIV infections occurred among persons aged 15-24 years. Difficulty enrolling adolescents and young adults in ART and high rates of loss to follow-up (LTFU) after ART initiation might be contributing to mortality and HIV incidence in this age group, but data are limited.

A cross-sectional study describing motivations and barriers to voluntary medical male circumcision in Lesotho.

Background: In February 2012, the Lesotho Ministry of Health launched a national voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) program. To assess the motivations for seeking VMMC, a cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted among clients aged 18 years and older at four sites.

Methods: A total of 161 men participated in individual survey interviews and 35 participated in four focus group discussions.

Retention and risk factors for attrition among adults in antiretroviral treatment programmes in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Objectives: We assessed retention and predictors of attrition (recorded death or loss to follow-up) in antiretroviral treatment (ART) clinics in Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among adults (≥18 years) starting ART during 2003-2010. We purposefully selected six health facilities per country and randomly selected 250 patients from each facility.

Acceptability of coitally-associated versus daily use of 1% tenofovir vaginal gel among women in Pune, India.

This study reports on the acceptability of 1% tenofovir microbicide gel among participants randomised to the coitally-associated use (n = 50) or daily use (n = 50) arms of a Phase II clinical trial in Pune, India. In a 6-month follow-up study, information on behavioural domains was collected on a 6-point Likert scale and gel acceptability was measured on a 5-point Likert scale. Random intercept logistic modelling was performed to examine the simultaneous effects of study arm, follow-up time, sociodemographic factors and behavioural domains on gel acceptability.

Predicting product adherence in a topical microbicide safety trial in Pune, India.

The inconclusive results of past trials and recent findings of partial protection of Tenofovir 1% gel underscore the need to better understand product adherence in microbicide trials. This study aimed to identify factors predicting couples' ability to sustain topical gel and condom use during clinical trial participation. We enrolled 100 Indian participants of a randomized, controlled safety trial of Tenofovir 1% gel (CT cohort) and 100 similar women who were ineligible or declined trial participation (NCT cohort).

Indian married men's interest in microbicide use.

Research suggests that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread to monogamous women in India. Gender inequalities prevent women from asserting control over the circumstances that increase their vulnerability to infection. Men control most of the sexual decision-making.

Contraceptive needs of female sex workers in Kenya - a cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: Female sex workers (FSWs) are thought to be at heightened risk for unintended pregnancy, although sexual and reproductive health interventions reaching these populations are typically focused on the increased risk of sexually transmitted infections. The objective of this study of FSWs in Kenya is to document patterns of contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception.

Methods: This research surveys a large sample of female sex workers (N = 597) and also uses qualitative data from focus group discussions.

Sexual and physical violence against female sex workers in Kenya: a qualitative enquiry.

Few studies in Africa provide detailed descriptions of the vulnerabilities of female sex workers (FSW) to sexual and physical violence, and how this impacts on their HIV risk. This qualitative study documents FSW's experiences of violence in Mombasa and Naivasha, Kenya. Eighty-one FSW who obtained clients from the streets, transportation depots, taverns, discos and residential areas were recruited through local sex workers trained as peer counsellors to participate in eight focus-group discussions.