Alcohol policies in Malawi: inclusion of WHO “best buy” interventions and use of multi-sectoral action

Background Harmful use of alcohol is one of the most common risk factors for Non-Communicable Diseases and other health conditions such as injuries. World Health Organization has identified highly cost-effective interventions for reduction of alcohol consumption at population level, known as “best buy” interventions, which include tax increases, bans on alcohol advertising and restricted access to retailed alcohol. This paper describes the extent of inclusion of alcohol related “best buy” interventions in national policies and also describes the application of multi-sectoral action in the development of alcohol policies in Malawi. Methods The study was part of a multi-country research project on Analysis of Non-Communicable Disease Preventive Policies in Africa, which applied a qualitative case study design. Data were collected from thirty-two key informants through interviews. A review of twelve national policy documents that relate to control of harmful use of alcohol was also conducted. Transcripts were coded according to a predefined protocol followed by thematic content analysis. Results Only three of the twelve national policy documents related to alcohol included at least one “best buy” intervention. Multi-Sectoral Action was only evident in the development process of the latest alcohol policy document, the National Alcohol Policy. Facilitators for multi-sectoral action for alcohol policy formulation included: structured leadership and collaboration, shared concern over the burden of harmful use of alcohol, advocacy efforts by local non-governmental organisations and availability of some dedicated funding. Perceived barriers included financial constraints, high personnel turnover in different government departments, role confusion between sectors and some interference from the alcohol industry. Conclusions Malawi’s national legislations and policies have inadequate inclusion of the “best buy” interventions for control of harmful use of alcohol. Effective development and implementation of alcohol policies require structured organisation and collaboration of multi-sectoral actors. Sustainable financing mechanisms for the policy development and implementation processes should be considered; and the influence of the alcohol industry should be mitigated

Multi-sectoral action in non-communicable disease prevention policy development in five African countries

Background The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa requires a multi-sectoral action (MSA) in their prevention and control. This study aimed to generate evidence on the extent of MSA application in NCD prevention policy development in five sub-Saharan African countries (Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Malawi) focusing on policies around the major NCD risk factors. Methods The broader study applied a multiple case study design to capture rich descriptions of policy contents, processes and actors as well as contextual factors related to the policies around the major NCD risk factors at single- and multi-country levels. Data were collected through document reviews and key informant interviews with decision-makers and implementers in various sectors. Further consultations were conducted with NCD experts on MSA application in NCD prevention policies in the region. For this paper, we report on how MSA was applied in the policy process. Results The findings revealed some degree of application of MSA in NCD prevention policy development in these countries. However, the level of sector engagement varies across different NCD policies, from passive participation to active engagement, and by country. There was higher engagement of sectors in developing tobacco policies across the countries, followed by alcohol policies. Multi-sectoral action for tobacco and to some extent, alcohol, was enabled through established structures at national levels including inter-ministerial and parliamentary committees. More often coordination was enabled through expert or technical working groups driven by the health sectors. The main barriers to multi-sectoral action included lack of awareness by various sectors about their potential contribution, weak political will, coordination complexity and inadequate resources. Conclusion MSA is possible in NCD prevention policy development in African countries. However, the findings illustrate various challenges in bringing sectors together to develop policies to address the increasing NCD burden in the region. Stronger coordination mechanisms with clear guidelines for sector engagement are required for effective MSA in NCD prevention. Such a mechanisms should include approaches for capacity building and resource generation to enable multi-sectoral action in NCD policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of outcomes

Exploring the barriers and facilitators to making healthy physical activity lifestyle choices among UK BAME adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: asystematic review of qualitative study

Physical activity (PA) is widely recognised as being integral to physical and mental wellbeing. The World Health Organisation recommends around 150–300minutes of moderately intense PA per week for adults aged 18–64years. Physical inactivity costs the UK £7.4 billion per year and is associated with one out of every six deaths that occur in the country. The review aims at exploring the barriers and facilitators to making healthy PA lifestyle choices among UK BAME adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. Database searches were conducted in CINAHL, AMED, Medline, SCOPUS, COCHRANE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. There are 53 records that were identified. After removing three duplicates, the titles and abstracts of 50 papers were screened. Of these, all but 50 studies were excluded after reviewing the title and abstracts, resulting in no studies eligible for inclusion. Data extraction using the JBI-QARI data extraction template was performed, followed by a narrative synthesis of the resulting data; however, no eligible studies were identified. This empty systematic review without meta-analysis, highlighted major research gaps and indicated the state of the evidence between 2019–2021. The review has, through the application of theoretical models (COM-B and TTM), highlighted themes that need to be addressed

Implementation of Antiretroviral Therapy for Life in Pregnant/Breastfeeding HIV+ Women (Option B+) Alongside Rollout and Changing Guidelines for ART Initiation in Rural Zimbabwe: The Lablite Project Experience.

BACKGROUND: Lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for pregnant and breastfeeding women (Option B+) was rolled out in Zimbabwe from 2014, with simultaneous raising of the CD4 treatment threshold to 500 cells per cubic millimeter in nonpregnant/breastfeeding adults and children 5 years and over. METHODS: Lablite is an implementation project in Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Uganda evaluating ART rollout. Routine patient-level data were collected for 6 months before and 12 months after Option B+ rollout at a district hospital and 3 primary care facilities in Zimbabwe (2 with outreach ART and 1 with no ART provision before Option B+). RESULTS: Between September 2013 and February 2015, there were 1686 ART initiations in the 4 facilities: 91% adults and 9% children younger than 15 years. In the 3 facilities with established ART, initiations rose from 300 during 6 months before Option B+ to 869 (2.9-fold) and 463 (1.5-fold), respectively, 0-6 months and 6-12 months after Option B+. Post-Option B+, an estimated 43% of pregnant/breastfeeding women needed ART for their own health, based on World Health Organization stage 3/4 or CD4 ≤350 per cubic millimeter (64% for CD4 ≤500). Seventy-four men (22%) and 123 nonpregnant/breastfeeding women (34%) initiated ART with CD4 >350 after the CD4 threshold increase. Estimated 12-month retention on ART was 79% (69%-87%) in Option B+ women (significantly lower in younger women, P = 0.01) versus 93% (91%-95%) in other adults (difference P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There were increased ART initiations in all patient groups after implementation of World Health Organization 2013 guidelines. Retention of Option B+ women was poorer than retention of other adults; younger women require attention because they are more likely to disengage from care

Baseline characteristics of study sites and women enrolled in a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial: PMTCT uptake and retention (pure) Malawi

Abstract Background Malawi introduced an ambitious public health program known as “Option B+” which provides all HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women with lifelong combination antiretroviral therapy, regardless of WHO clinical stage or CD4 cell count. The PMTCT Uptake and REtention (PURE) study aimed at evaluating the effect of peer-support on care-seeking and retention in care. Methods/design PURE Malawi was a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial that compared facility-based and community-based models of peer support to standard of care under Option B+ strategy. Each arm was expected to enroll a minimum of 360 women with a total minimum sample size of 1080 participants. 21 sites (clusters) were selected for inclusion in the study. This paper describes the site selection, recruitment, enrollment process and baseline characteristics of study sites and women enrolled in the trial. Results Study implementation was managed by 3 partner organizations; each responsible for 7 study sites. The trial was conducted in the South East, South West, and Central West zones of Malawi, the zones where the implementing partners operate. Study sites included 2 district hospitals, 2 mission hospitals, 2 rural hospitals, 13 health centers and 1 private clinic. Enrollment occurred from November 2013 to November 2014, over a median period of 31 weeks (range 17–51) by site. A total of 1269 HIV-infected pregnant (1094) and breastfeeding (175) women, who were eligible to initiate ART under Option B+, were enrolled. Each site reached or surpassed the minimum sample size. Comparing the number of women enrolled versus antenatal cohort reports, sites recruited a median of 90% (IQR 75–100) of eligible reported women. In the majority of sites the ratio of pregnant and lactating women enrolled in the study was similar to the ratio of reported pregnant and lactating women starting ART in the same sites. The median age of all women was 27 (IQR 22–31) years. All women have ≥20 months of possible follow-up time; 96% ≥ 2 years (24–32 months). Conclusion The PURE Malawi study showed that 3 implementing partner organizations could successfully recruit a complex cohort of pregnant and lactating women across 3 geographical zones in Malawi within a reasonable timeline. Trial registration This study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov - ID Number NCT02005835 . Registered 4 December, 2013

Assessing the Validity of Sexual Behaviour Reports in a Whole Population Survey in Rural Malawi

Background: Sexual behaviour surveys are widely used, but under-reporting of particular risk behaviours is common, especially by women. Surveys in whole populations provide an unusual opportunity to understand the extent and nature of such under-reporting.Methods: All consenting individuals aged between 15 and 59 within a demographic surveillance site in northern Malawi were interviewed about their sexual behaviour. Validity of responses was assessed by analysis of probing questions; by comparison of results with in-depth interviews and with Herpes simplex type-2 (HSV-2) seropositivity; by comparing reports to same sex and opposite sex interviewers; and by quantifying the partnerships within the local community reported by men and by women, adjusted for response rates.Results: 6,796 women and 5,253 men (83% and 72% of those eligible) consented and took part in sexual behaviour interviews. Probing questions and HSV-2 antibody tests in those who denied sexual activity identified under-reporting for both men and women. Reports varied little by sex or age of the interviewer. The number of marital partnerships reported was comparable for men and women, but men reported about 4 times as many non-marital partnerships. The discrepancy in reporting of non-marital partnerships was most marked for married women (men reported about 7 times as many non-marital partnerships with married women as were reported by married women themselves), but was only apparent in younger married women.Conclusions: We have shown that the under-reporting of non-marital partnerships by women was strongly age-dependent. The extent of under-reporting of sexual activity by young men was surprisingly high. The results emphasise the importance of triangulation, including biomarkers, and the advantages of considering a whole population

Managing uncertainties as diabetes management in Malawi

Diabetes is a growing global health problem. The majority of the 536.6 million living with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries. Biomedical management of diabetes is often framed as an individual responsibility to self-manage it through compliance with diet, physical activity and taking medicine as prescribed. However, biomedical providers often highlight the problem of ‘non-compliance’ among patients – failure to adhere to biomedical advice on self-management of diabetes.<br/

Managing uncertainties: An ethnography of diabetes management in Malawi

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterised by raised levels of blood glucose in the body due to its inability to produce any or enough, or effectively use insulin. It is a growing problem worldwide, with over 425 million people living with it, 79% of whom live in low and middle-income countries. This thesis shows how patients experience, live with, and manage diabetes as a form of uncertainty. It is based on twelve months of ethnographic fieldwork using interviews, participant observation, and informal conversations in patients’ homes, herbal and diabetes clinics at a rural mission hospital and a referral teaching hospital in the Southern Region of Malawi. Few studies have explored diabetes and its management using qualitative or ethnographic methods in Malawi, and most African countries. Mostly, studies have quantitatively assessed knowledge, ‘experiences’ of living with diabetes, ‘quality’ of care and highlighted barriers and challenges of diabetes management among health care workers and patients. Anthropological studies of diabetes, mostly from Western countries, characterise its management as “tinkering” – highlighting changes and adjustments in practices that are meant to suit patients’ bodies and circumstances, and ‘bio-tactics’ – patients’ idiosyncratic strategic negotiation, implementation and recalibration of self-management advice to make it relevant in social lives and “diabetes bodies liveable”. Studies on uncertainty reveal the pragmatics of managing it, and its productiveness in terms of envisioned futures, hope, and other uncertainties. This thesis shows how people responded to the uncertainties of diabetes and its management within complex therapeutic landscapes in three ways: “experimenting”, improvising and “trying harder” within unique social relations. These modes of responses were mutually constitutive, overlapping and informed each other. The thesis argues that a distinct kind of “re-active patient” is being constituted in these circumstances. The “re-active patient” maintains aspects of “active patienthood” which requires medical literacy and taking care of him/herself, but also engages in a different repertoire of responses including “experimentation” and improvisation using herbal medicines, religion, and forms of reading their bodies