Temporal trends of population viral suppression in the context of Universal Test and Treat: the ANRS 12249 TasP trial in rural South Africa

Introduction: The universal test-and-treat (UTT) strategy aims to maximize population viral suppression (PVS), that is, the proportion of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and virally suppressed, with the goal of reducing HIV transmission at the population level. This article explores the extent to which temporal changes in PVS explain the observed lack of association between universal treatment and cumulative HIV incidence seen in the ANRS 12249 TasP trial conducted in rural South Africa. Methods: The TasP cluster-randomized trial (2012 to 2016) implemented six-monthly repeat home-based HIV counselling and testing (RHBCT) and referral of PLHIV to local HIV clinics in 2 9 11 clusters opened sequentially. ART was initiated according to national guidelines in control clusters and regardless of CD4 count in intervention clusters. We measured residency status, HIV status, and HIV care status for each participant on a daily basis. PVS was computed per cluster among all resident PLHIV (≥16, including those not in care) at cluster opening and daily thereafter. We used a mixed linear model to explore time patterns in PVS, adjusting for sociodemographic changes at the cluster level. Results: 8563 PLHIV were followed. During the course of the trial, PVS increased significantly in both arms (23.5% to 46.2% in intervention, +22.8, p < 0.001; 26.0% to 44.6% in control, +18.6, p < 0.001). That increase was similar in both arms (p = 0.514). In the final adjusted model, PVS increase was most associated with increased RHBCT and the implementation of local trial clinics (measured by time since cluster opening). Contextual changes (measured by calendar time) also contributed slightly. The effect of universal ART (trial arm) was positive but limited. Conclusions: PVS was improved significantly but similarly in both trial arms, explaining partly the null effect observed in terms of cumulative HIV incidence between arms. The PVS gains due to changes in ART-initiation guidelines alone are relatively small compared to gains obtained by strategies to maximize testing and linkage to care. The achievement of the 90-90-90 targets will not be met if the operational and implementational challenges limiting access to care and treatment, often context-specific, are not properly addressed. Clinical trial number: NCT01509508 (clinicalTrials.gov)/DOH-27-0512-3974 (South African National Clinical Trials Register)

The impact of universal test and treat on HIV incidence in a rural South African population: ANRS 12249 TasP trial, 2012-2016

Background: The population impact of universal test and treat (UTT) on HIV transmission has not yet been evaluated.Methods: A cluster-randomized trial was implemented in 2x11 rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. All residents ≥16 years were offered rapid HIV testing and provided dried blood spots (DBS) during 6-monthly home-based survey rounds. HIV-positive participants were referred to cluster-based trial clinics to receive ART regardless of CD4 count (intervention arm) or according to national guidelines (control arm). Standard of care ART was also available in the Department of Health clinics. HIV incidence was estimated on repeat DBS using cluster-adjusted Poisson regression.Results: Between 03/2012 and 04/2016, 13,239 and 14,916 individuals (63% women, median age 30 years) were registered in the intervention and control arms. Contact frequency per round among registered individuals ranged from 64% to 83%, HIV ascertainment from 74% to 85%. Baseline HIV prevalence was 29.4%(95%CI 28.8-30.0), with 7,578 individuals identified as HIV-positive. 1,513(36%) of 4,172 HIV-positive individuals not previously in care linked to trial clinics within 6 months of referral. ART initiation in trial clinics at 3 months was 90.9%(576/634) and 52.3%(332/635) in the intervention and control arms; viral suppression (< 400 copies/mL) 12 months after ART initiation was 94.9%(300/316) and 94.2%(194/206), respectively. Overall ART coverage at entry was 31% and 36% in the intervention and control arms, reaching 41% in both arms by closing date. Repeat DBS tests were available for 13,693 individuals HIV-negative at baseline, yielding 461 seroconversions in 20,833 person-years (PY). HIV incidence was 2.16 per 100 PY (1.88-2.45) in the intervention arm and 2.26 (1.98-2.54) in the control arm (adjusted relative risk: 0.95 [0.82-1.10]). Severe adverse events rates were 3.4%(45/1,323) and 3.5%(57/1,604) in the intervention and control arms. Follow-up will be completed by 06/2016.Conclusions: Our trial shows high acceptance of home-based HIV testing and high levels of viral suppression among individuals on ART. However overall linkage to care remains poor. No reduction in HIV incidence was demonstrated. Several factors are being investigated, including determinants of poor linkage, change in national ART guidelines, migration and geography of sexual networks

The impact of universal test and treat on HIV incidence in a rural South African population: ANRS 12249 TasP trial, 2012-2016

Background: The population impact of universal test and treat (UTT) on HIV transmission has not yet been evaluated.Methods: A cluster-randomized trial was implemented in 2x11 rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. All residents ≥16 years were offered rapid HIV testing and provided dried blood spots (DBS) during 6-monthly home-based survey rounds. HIV-positive participants were referred to cluster-based trial clinics to receive ART regardless of CD4 count (intervention arm) or according to national guidelines (control arm). Standard of care ART was also available in the Department of Health clinics. HIV incidence was estimated on repeat DBS using cluster-adjusted Poisson regression.Results: Between 03/2012 and 04/2016, 13,239 and 14,916 individuals (63% women, median age 30 years) were registered in the intervention and control arms. Contact frequency per round among registered individuals ranged from 64% to 83%, HIV ascertainment from 74% to 85%. Baseline HIV prevalence was 29.4%(95%CI 28.8-30.0), with 7,578 individuals identified as HIV-positive. 1,513(36%) of 4,172 HIV-positive individuals not previously in care linked to trial clinics within 6 months of referral. ART initiation in trial clinics at 3 months was 90.9%(576/634) and 52.3%(332/635) in the intervention and control arms; viral suppression (< 400 copies/mL) 12 months after ART initiation was 94.9%(300/316) and 94.2%(194/206), respectively. Overall ART coverage at entry was 31% and 36% in the intervention and control arms, reaching 41% in both arms by closing date. Repeat DBS tests were available for 13,693 individuals HIV-negative at baseline, yielding 461 seroconversions in 20,833 person-years (PY). HIV incidence was 2.16 per 100 PY (1.88-2.45) in the intervention arm and 2.26 (1.98-2.54) in the control arm (adjusted relative risk: 0.95 [0.82-1.10]). Severe adverse events rates were 3.4%(45/1,323) and 3.5%(57/1,604) in the intervention and control arms. Follow-up will be completed by 06/2016.Conclusions: Our trial shows high acceptance of home-based HIV testing and high levels of viral suppression among individuals on ART. However overall linkage to care remains poor. No reduction in HIV incidence was demonstrated. Several factors are being investigated, including determinants of poor linkage, change in national ART guidelines, migration and geography of sexual networks

Universal test and treat and the HIV epidemic in rural South Africa: a phase 4, open-label, community cluster randomised trial

SAS code files, Stata datasets, and R code used in the analysis published in The Lancet HIV on the project, "Universal test and treat and the HIV epidemic in rural South Africa". This project was funded under the 3ie Combination Prevention Programme supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Universal test and treat and the HIV epidemic in rural South Africa: a phase 4, open-label, community cluster randomised trial

SAS code files, Stata datasets, and R code used in the analysis published in The Lancet HIV on the project, &quot;Universal test and treat and the HIV epidemic in rural South Africa&quot;. This project was funded under the 3ie Combination Prevention Programme supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.</span

Temporal trends of population viral suppression in the context of Universal Test and Treat: the ANRS 12249 TasP trial in rural South Africa

Introduction The universal test‐and‐treat (UTT) strategy aims to maximize population viral suppression (PVS), that is, the proportion of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and virally suppressed, with the goal of reducing HIV transmission at the population level. This article explores the extent to which temporal changes in PVS explain the observed lack of association between universal treatment and cumulative HIV incidence seen in the ANRS 12249 TasP trial conducted in rural South Africa. Methods The TasP cluster‐randomized trial (2012 to 2016) implemented six‐monthly repeat home‐based HIV counselling and testing (RHBCT) and referral of PLHIV to local HIV clinics in 2 × 11 clusters opened sequentially. ART was initiated according to national guidelines in control clusters and regardless of CD4 count in intervention clusters. We measured residency status, HIV status, and HIV care status for each participant on a daily basis. PVS was computed per cluster among all resident PLHIV (≥16, including those not in care) at cluster opening and daily thereafter. We used a mixed linear model to explore time patterns in PVS, adjusting for sociodemographic changes at the cluster level. Results 8563 PLHIV were followed. During the course of the trial, PVS increased significantly in both arms (23.5% to 46.2% in intervention, +22.8, p < 0.001; 26.0% to 44.6% in control, +18.6, p < 0.001). That increase was similar in both arms (p = 0.514). In the final adjusted model, PVS increase was most associated with increased RHBCT and the implementation of local trial clinics (measured by time since cluster opening). Contextual changes (measured by calendar time) also contributed slightly. The effect of universal ART (trial arm) was positive but limited. Conclusions PVS was improved significantly but similarly in both trial arms, explaining partly the null effect observed in terms of cumulative HIV incidence between arms. The PVS gains due to changes in ART‐initiation guidelines alone are relatively small compared to gains obtained by strategies to maximize testing and linkage to care. The achievement of the 90‐90‐90 targets will not be met if the operational and implementational challenges limiting access to care and treatment, often context‐specific, are not properly addressed. Clinical trial number: NCT01509508 (clinicalTrials.gov)/DOH‐27‐0512‐3974 (South African National Clinical Trials Register)