Awareness and Use of Pre-Exposure and Post Exposure Prophylaxes as Occupational Health and Safety Measure for Clinical Students at Copperbelt University Medical School in Zambia

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP.) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are additional preventative methods incorporated in a comprehensive HIV/AIDS preventative package in the Zambian health system. Despite PrEP and PEP being offered as a choice to people who are at sustained risk of HIV infection, most clinical students in sub-Saharan African medical schools continue to be disproportionately at risk of acquiring HIV during their clinical training. To avert this occupational health risk among clinical students, it is critical that awareness, access and use of these HIV preventive strategies, in Zambia and other sub-Saharan African countries be enhanced. This study therefore, examined awareness and use of PrEP and PEP among Copperbelt University Medical students in Zambia. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 203 medical students in their clinical years of study. The respondents were selected using stratified simple random sampling at two tertiary level public hospitals in the Copperbelt province of Zambia. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Study found that 21.2% of the clinical students were exposed to HIV during their hospital practice and majority of these students were 3rd year students (24.5%), followed by the 2nd year students (23.5%) and the least proportion was 1styears (17.4%). Among those who were exposed, 76.7% reported the exposure while 23.3% did not report the exposure. The second years (20.6%) are shown to have reported most of the exposures compared to all the other classes. The majority of students (83.3%) were knowledgeable about PrEP and PEP. Sex (p value= 0.046) was the only factor that was significantly associated with knowledge of PrEP and PEP. There was no factor significantly association with utilization of PrEP and PEP, even participants’ knowledge of PrEP and PEP did not influence utilization of PrEP and PEP services (p value=0.741). Therefore, reducing barriers to access and use of PrEP and PEP among clinical students is an important intervention in the process of training medical personnel in Zambia and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa

Artemisinin-based combination therapy in pregnant women in Zambia: efficacy, safety and risk of recurrent malaria.

BACKGROUND: In Zambia, malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially among under five children and pregnant women. For the latter, the World Health Organization recommends the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. In a context of limited information on ACT, the safety and efficacy of three combinations, namely artemether-lumefantrine (AL), mefloquine-artesunate (MQAS) and dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHAPQ) were assessed in pregnant women with malaria. METHODS: The trial was carried out between July 2010 and August 2013 in Nchelenge district, Luapula Province, an area of high transmission, as part of a multi-centre trial. Women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and with malaria were recruited and randomized to one of the three study arms. Women were actively followed up for 63 days, and then at delivery and 1 year post-delivery. RESULTS: Nine hundred pregnant women were included, 300 per arm. PCR-adjusted treatment failure was 4.7% (12/258) (95% CI 2.7-8.0) for AL, 1.3% (3/235) (95% CI 0.4-3.7) for MQAS and 0.8% (2/236) (95% CI 0.2-3.0) for DHAPQ, with significant risk difference between AL and DHAPQ (p = 0.01) and between AL and MQAS (p = 0.03) treatments. Re-infections during follow up were more frequent in the AL (HR: 4.71; 95% CI 3.10-7.2; p < 0.01) and MQAS (HR: 1.59; 95% CI 1.02-2.46; p = 0.04) arms compared to the DHAPQ arm. PCR-adjusted treatment failure was significantly associated with women under 20 years [Hazard Ratio (HR) 5.35 (95% CI 1.07-26.73; p = 0.04)] and higher malaria parasite density [3.23 (95% CI 1.03-10.10; p = 0.04)], and still women under 20 years [1.78, (95% CI 1.26-2.52; p < 0.01)] had a significantly higher risk of re-infection. The three treatments were generally well tolerated. Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache and asthenia as adverse events (AEs) were more common in MQAS than in AL or DHAPQ (p < 0.001). Birth outcomes were not significantly different between treatment arms. CONCLUSION: As new infections can be prevented by a long acting partner drug to the artemisinins, DHAPQ should be preferred in places as Nchelenge district where transmission is intense while in areas of low transmission intensity AL or MQAS may be used

Overweight and Obesity in Kaoma and Kasama Rural Districts of Zambia: Prevalence and Correlates in 2008-2009 Population Based Surveys

Background: Overweight and obesity (overweight/obesity) is associated with hypertension. Low- and middleincome countries are experiencing an obesity epidemic. There is growing evidence that the epidemic is on the increase in urban settings of developing countries. However, there is scanty information on the magnitude of this epidemic and its correlates in rural settings. The objective of the current study was to establish levels of overweight/obesity and its correlates in rural areas of Zambia. Designing interventions based on the correlates for overweight/obesity to reduce its prevalence may in turn lead to a reduction in the prevalence of hypertension. Methods: Cross sectional studies using a modified WHO Stepwise questionnaire were conducted. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors that were associated with overweight/obesity. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: Totals of 895 participants from Kaoma and 1198 from Kasama took part in the study. Altogether, 7.6% of the participants were overweight and 2.5% were obese, with a combined prevalence of overweight/obesity of 10.1%. Factors that were independently associated with overweight/obesity were sex, education, vegetable consumption, smoking and hypertension. Female participants were 78% (AOR=1.78, 95% CI [1.46, 2.17]) more like to be overweight/ obese compared to males. Participants with secondary or higher education level were 2.04 (95% CI [1.56, 2.67]) times more likely to be overweight/obese compared to participants with lower levels of education. Participants who consumed vegetables 5 to 7 days in a week were 35% (AOR=1.35, 95% CI [1.06, 1.72]) more likely to be overweight/ obese compared to participants who ate vegetables less than 5 days in a week. Non smokers were 2.06 (95% CI [1.42, 2.98]) times more likely to be overweight/obese than smokers. Participants who were non hypertensive were 30% (AOR=0.70, 95% CI [0.59, 0.82]) less likely to be overweight/obese compared to participants who were hypertensive. Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight/obesity was low and this is the time to start instituting interventions to control the obesity epidemic in rural districts of Zambia

Limited sampling models to predict the pharmacokinetics of nevirapine, stavudine, and lamivudine in HIV-infected children treated with pediatric fixed-dose combination tablets.

Full 12-hour pharmacokinetic profiles of nevirapine, stavudine, and lamivudine in HIV-infected children taking fixed-dose combination antiretroviral tablets have been reported previously by us. Further studies with these formulations could benefit from less-intensive pharmacokinetic sampling. Data from 65 African children were used to relate area under the plasma concentration versus time curve over 12 hours (AUC) to plasma concentrations of nevirapine, stavudine, or lamivudine at times t = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 hours after intake using linear regression. Limited sampling models were developed using leave-one-out crossvalidation. The predictive performance of each model was evaluated using the mean relative prediction error (mpe%) as an indicator of bias and the root mean squared relative prediction error (rmse%) as a measure of precision. A priori set criteria to accept a limited sampling model were: 95% confidence limit of the mpe% should include 0, rmse% less than 10%, a high correlation coefficient, and as few (convenient) samples as possible. Using only one sample did not lead to acceptable AUC predictions for stavudine or lamivudine, although the 6-hour sample was acceptable for nevirapine (mpe%: -0.8%, 95% confidence interval: -2.2 to +0.6); rmse%: 5.8%; r: 0.98). Using two samples, AUC predictions for stavudine and lamivudine improved considerably but did not meet the predefined acceptance criteria. Using three samples (1, 2, 6 hours), an accurate and precise limited sampling model for stavudine AUC (mpe%: -0.6%, 95% confidence interval: -2.2 to +1.0; rmse%: 6.5%; r: 0.98) and lamivudine AUC (mpe%: -0.3%, 95% confidence interval: -1.7 to +1.1; rmse%: 5.6%; r: 0.99) was found; this model was also highly accurate and precise for nevirapine AUC (mpe%: -0.2%, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to +0.7; rmse%: 3.4%; r: 0.99). A limited sampling model using three time points (1, 2, 6 hours) can be used to predict nevirapine, stavudine, and lamivudine AUC accurately and precisely in HIV-infected African children

Pharmacokinetic Data of Dolutegravir in Second-line Treatment of Children With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Results From the CHAPAS4 Trial

BACKGROUND: Dolutegravir (DTG), combined with a backbone of two NRTIs, is currently the preferred first-line treatment for HIV in childhood. CHAPAS4 is an ongoing randomized controlled trial (#ISRCTN22964075) investigating second-line treatment options for children with HIV. We did a nested PK substudy within CHAPAS4 to evaluate the DTG exposure in children with HIV taking DTG with food, as part of their second-line treatment. METHODS: Additional consent was required for children on DTG enrolled in the CHAPAS4-trial to participate in this PK substudy. Children weighing 14-19.9 kg took 25 mg DTG as dispersible tablets (DT) and children ≥20 kg took 50 mg film-coated tablets (FCT). Steady-state 24 h DTG plasma concentration-time PK profiling was done at t = 0 and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h after observed DTG intake with food. Reference adult PK data and paediatric data from the ODYSSEY-trial was used primarily for comparison. The individual target trough concentration (Ctrough) was defined as 0.32 mg/L. RESULTS: 39 children on DTG were included in this PK substudy. The Geometric Mean (GM), (CV%) AUC0-24h was 57.1 h*mg/L (38.4%) which was approximately 8% below the average AUC0-24h in children in the ODYSSEY-trial with comparable dosages, but above the adult reference. The GM (CV%) Ctrough was 0.82 mg/L (63.8%) which was comparable to ODYSSEY and adult reference values. CONCLUSIONS: This nested PK substudy shows that the exposure of DTG taken with food in children on second-line treatment is comparable with that of children in the ODYSSEY-trial and adult references

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. Patients who visited clinics at least once during the 90 days before data abstraction were defined as retained. Data on individual and programme level risk factors for attrition were obtained through chart review and clinic manager interviews. Kaplan-Meier curves for retention across sites were created. Predictors of attrition were assessed using a multivariable Cox-proportional hazards model, adjusted for site-level clustering. RESULTS: From 17 facilities, 4147 patients were included. Retention ranged from 52.0% to 96.2% at 1 year to 25.8%-90.4% at 4 years. Multivariable analysis of ART initiation characteristics found the following independent risk factors for attrition: younger age [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.30 (1.14-1.47)], WHO stage 4 ([aHR (95% CI): 1.56 (1.29-1.88)], >10% bodyweight loss [aHR (95%CI) = 1.17 (1.00-1.38)], poor functional status [ambulatory aHR (95%CI) = 1.29 (1.09-1.54); bedridden aHR1.54 (1.15-2.07)], and increasing years of clinic operation prior to ART initiation in government facilities [aHR (95%CI) = 1.17 (1.10-1.23)]. Patients with higher CD4 cell count were less likely to experience attrition [aHR (95%CI) = 0.88 (0.78-1.00)] for every log (tenfold) increase. Sites offering community ART dispensing [aHR (95%CI) = 0.55 (0.30-1.01) for women; 0.40 (0.21-0.75) for men] had significantly less attrition. CONCLUSIONS: Patient retention to an individual programme worsened over time especially among males, younger persons and those with poor clinical indicators. Community ART drug dispensing programmes could improve retention

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). We abstracted clinical data from the patients' medical, pharmacy, and laboratory records. Incomplete adherence was defined as having missed ART for at least 48 consecutive hours during the past 3 months. RESULTS: Twenty-nine percent of participants reported at least one reason for having ever missed ART (1278/4425). The most frequent reason was simply forgetting (681/1278 or 53%), followed by ART-related hunger or not having enough food (30%), and symptoms (12%). The median number of symptoms reported by participants was 4 (IQR: 2-7). Every additional symptom increased the odds of incomplete adherence by 12% (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.1-1.2). Female participants and participants initiated on a regimen containing stavudine were more likely to report greater numbers of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms were a common reason for missing ART, together with simply forgetting and food insecurity. A combination of ART regimens with fewer side effects, use of mobile phone text message reminders, and integration of food supplementation and livelihood programmes into HIV programmes, have the potential to decrease missed ART and hence to improve adherence and the outcomes of ART programmes

Patient-reported reasons for stopping care or switching clinics in Zambia: A multisite, regionally representative estimate using a multistage sampling-based approach in Zambia

BACKGROUND: Understanding patient-reported reasons for lapses of retention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment can drive improvements in the care cascade. A systematic assessment of outcomes among a random sample of patients lost to follow-up (LTFU) from 32 clinics in Zambia to understand the reasons for silent transfers and disengagement from care was undertaken. METHODS: We traced a simple random sample of LTFU patients (\u3e90 days from last scheduled visit) as determined from clinic-based electronic medical records from a probability sample of facilities. Among patients found in person, we solicited reasons for either stopping or switching care and predictors for re-engagement. We coded reasons into structural, psychosocial, and clinic-based barriers. RESULTS: Among 1751 LTFU patients traced and found alive, 31% of patients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 1 July 2013 and 31 July 2015 silently transferred or were disengaged (40% male; median age, 35 years; median CD4 level, 239 cells/μL); median time on ART at LTFU was 480 days (interquartile range, 110-1295). Among the 544 patients not in care, median prevalences for patient-reported structural, psychosocial, and clinic-level barriers were 27.3%, 13.9%, and 13.4%, respectively, and were highly variable across facilities. Structural reasons, including, relocated to a new place were mostly cited among 289 patients who silently transferred (35.5%). We found that men were less likely to re-engage in care than women (odds ratio, .39; 95% confidence interval, .22-.67; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to improve retention of patients on ART may need to be tailored at the facility level to address patient-reported barriers