Using routine programmatic data to measure HIV incidence among pregnant women in Botswana.

Introduction: Pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa have high risk of HIV acquisition, yet approaches for measuring maternal HIV incidence using routine surveillance systems are undefined. We used programmatic data from routine antenatal care (ANC) HIV testing in Botswana to measure real-world HIV incidence during pregnancy.

Methods: From January 2018 to September 2019, the Botswana Ministry of Health and Wellness implemented an HIV testing program at 139 ANC clinics.

Comparing COVID-19 physical distancing policies: results from a physical distancing intensity coding framework for Botswana, India, Jamaica, Mozambique, Namibia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Background: Understanding the differences in timing and composition of physical distancing policies is important to evaluate the early global response to COVID-19. A physical distancing intensity monitoring framework comprising 16 domains was recently published to compare physical distancing approaches across 12 U.S.

HIV testing criteria to reduce testing volume and increase positivity in Botswana.

Objective: We used data from a routine HIV testing program to develop risk scores to identify patients with undiagnosed HIV infection while reducing the number of total tests performed.

Design: Multivariate logistic regression.

Methods: We included demographic factors from HIV testing data collected in 134 Botswana Ministry of Health & Wellness facilities during two periods (1 October 2018- 19 August 2019 and 1 December 2019 to 30 March 2020).

Intensified Assisted Partner Notification Implementation in Botswana Increased Partner Identification but Not HIV Case-Finding: Findings Highlight the Need for Improved Data Monitoring.

Background: How to implement and monitor assisted partner services (APS) programs for HIV infection as they go to scale-up is uncertain.

Setting: Forty Botswana Ministry of Health clinics, 2018-2020.

Methods: We compared 2 APS implementation phases.

Sexual risk compensation following voluntary medical male circumcision: Results from a prospective cohort study amongst human immunodeficiency virus-negative adult men in Botswana.

Background: Circumcised men may increase sexual risk-taking following voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) because of decreased perceptions of risk, which may negate the beneficial impact of VMMC in preventing new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections.

Objectives: We evaluated changes in sexual behaviour following VMMC.

Method: We conducted a prospective cohort study amongst sexually active, HIV-negative adult men undergoing VMMC in Gaborone, Botswana, during 2013-2015.

Frequent Detection of Undiagnosed HIV Within Emergency Departments in Botswana.

Among 130,161 HIV testing records from unique individuals at 149 programmatic sites in Botswana, frequency of detecting undiagnosed HIV infection within emergency departments (EDs) was 4.7% (455/9695), 2-fold higher than other clinic-based HIV counseling and testing. Men and noncitizens less frequently initiated same-day antiretroviral therapy after testing HIV positive within emergency departments.

Sexual function after voluntary medical male circumcision for human immunodeficiency virus prevention: Results from a programmatic delivery setting in Botswana.

Background: Uptake of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) remains modest in Botswana in spite of the government's commitment and service provision availability. Data on sexual function post-VMMC in programmatic settings could help guide messaging tailored to Botswana.

Objectives: At 3-month post-VMMC, we evaluated changes in sexual function and satisfaction with the VMMC procedure amongst a cohort of HIV-negative, sexually active men aged 18-49 years who underwent VMMC in a public-sector clinic in Botswana.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and Perceived Sexual Functioning, Satisfaction, and Risk Behavior: A Qualitative Study in Botswana.

This article examines perceptions of sexual functioning, satisfaction, and risk-taking related to voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in Botswana. Twenty-seven focus group discussions were conducted in four purposively selected communities with community leaders, men, and women. Discussions were analyzed using an inductive content analytic approach.

Clinical outcomes of a cohort of migrants and citizens living with human immunodeficiency virus in Botswana: implications for Joint United Nation Program on HIV and AIDS 90-90-90 targets.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment cascade and mortality in migrants and citizens living with HIV in Botswana.Retrospective 2002 to 2016 cohort study using electronic medical records from a single center managing a high migrant case load.Records for 768 migrants and 3274 citizens living with HIV were included.

Associations between healthcare worker participation in workplace wellness activities and job satisfaction, occupational stress and burnout: a cross-sectional study in Botswana.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HWs) are prone to high levels of stress and burnout, particularly when caring for people with HIV/AIDS. This study assessed whether participation in Botswana's Workplace Wellness Programme (WWP) for HWs was associated with job satisfaction, occupational stress, well-being and burnout.

Methods: Using multistage sampling, a paper-based questionnaire was distributed to 1856 randomly selected HWs at 135 public facilities across Botswana.

Implementation of a National Workplace Wellness Program for Health Workers in Botswana.

: The Botswana workplace wellness program (WWP) for health care workers (HCWs) was initiated in 2007. WWP implementation was assessed using a sequential, explanatory, mixed methods design including a national implementation assessment (27 health districts) and in-depth interviews (n = 38). Level of implementation varied across districts with health screening, therapeutic recreation, and health promotion implemented more frequently than occupational health activities and psychosocial services.

Three methods of delivering clinic-based training on syndromic management of sexually transmitted diseases in South Africa: a pilot study.

Introduction: The South African National Department of Health sought to improve syndromic management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Continuing medical education on STIs was delivered at primary healthcare (PHC) clinics using one of three training methods: (1) lecture, (2) computer and (3) paper-based. Clinics with training were compared with control clinics.

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.