Prevalence of prenatal depression and associated factors among HIV-positive women in primary care in Mpumalanga province, South Africa

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of depressed symptoms and associated factors in prenatal HIV-positive women in primary care facilities in rural South Africa. In a cross-sectional study, 663 HIV-positive prenatal women in 12 community health centres in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, were recruited by systematic sampling (every consecutive patient after HIV post-test counselling). Results indicate that overall, 48.7% [95% CI: 44.8, 52.6] of women during the prenatal period reported depressed mood (scores of ≥ 13 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 10). In multivariate analysis, not being employed, unplanned pregnancy, not having an HIV-positive child, poor antiretroviral therapy adherence, non-condom use at last sex, and intimate partner violence were associated with depressive symptoms. Potential risk factors among HIV-infected prenatal women were identified which could be utilized in interventions. Routine screening for depression may be integrated into prenatal care settings.Keywords: antenatal care, HIV positive, pregnant women, depressive symptoms, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 10, South Afric

Maternal Health Outcomes and Male Partner Involvement Among HIV Infected Women in Rural South Africa

Introduction This study aimed to investigate the association between Male Partner Involvement (MPI) and maternal health outcomes among women attending Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services in rural South Africa. The association between Male Partner Participation in the main study (MPP) and maternal health outcomes among these women was also investigated. Methods The study utilized data collected from 535 HIV infected women in a randomized controlled trial between 2015 and 2016. Maternal health outcome data (delivery mode, pregnancy systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pregnancy body mass index, pregnancy CD4 count, and pregnancy viral load) were collected from the women's antenatal record forms accessed from the primary healthcare facilities. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between socio-demographic characteristics of the women, MPI, and MPP with maternal health outcomes. Results The mean age of the women was 29.03 years (SD = 5.89). No significant associations were found between MPI and any of the maternal health outcomes contrary to what was hypothesized. Both the bivariate and multivariate analysis indicated a significant association between MPP and higher pregnancy viral load, contrary to the study hypothesis. Insignificant associations were found between MPP and both pregnancy CD4 count and pregnancy blood pressure. The only significant association between maternal health outcomes and socio-demographic characteristics, was between educational attainment and higher pregnancy CD4 count in both the bivariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusion for Practice The study showed no significant support for MPI in improving maternal health outcomes of women in PMTCT in rural South Africa. Future studies should include additional maternal health outcomes for investigation

Maternal and infant antiretroviral therapy adherence among women living with HIV in rural South Africa: a cluster randomised trial of the role of male partner participation on adherence and PMTCT uptake

‘Mother-to-child transmission of HIV’ can occur during the period of pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. ‘Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV’ (PMTCT) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, is especially vital as the prevalence of HIV is 28.2% in women aged 15–49. PMTCT interventions resulted in a drop of MTCT rates in Mpumalanga from ∼2% in 2015 to 1.3% in 2016. This randomised controlled trial in Mpumalanga examined the potential impact of a lay healthcare worker administered intervention, ‘Protect Your Family’, on maternal and infant adherence, and to assess the relative influence of male partner involvement on infant and maternal adherence. This cluster randomised controlled trial used a two-phase and two-condition (experimental or control) study design where participants (n = 1399) did assessments both during pregnancy and post-postpartum. Only women participated in Phase 1, and both female and male partners participated in Phase 2. Results indicated that male involvement was associated with self-reported maternal or infant antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, but the intervention was not associated with ART adherence. Self-reported adherence was associated with depression, age, and partner HIV status. The study results provide support for the involvement of men in the antenatal clinic setting during pregnancy. Results also support further research on the meaning and assessment of male involvement and clarification of the constructs underlying the concept in the sub-Saharan African context. Outcomes provide support for male involvement and treatment of depression as adjuncts to improve uptake of both maternal and infant medication as part of the PMTCT protocol

Psychosocial correlates of patient–provider family planning discussions among HIV-infected pregnant women in South Africa

Patient-provider family planning discussions and preconception counseling can reduce maternal and neonatal risks by increasing adherence to provider recommendations and antiretroviral medication. However, HIV-infected women may not discuss reproductive intentions with providers due to anticipation of negative reactions and stigma. This study aimed to identify correlates of patient-provider family planning discussions among HIV-infected women in rural South Africa, an area with high rates of antenatal HIV and suboptimal rates of prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. Participants were N=673 pregnant HIV-infected women who completed measures of family planning discussions and knowledge, depression, stigma, intimate partner violence, and male involvement. Participants were, on average, 28 ± 6 years old, and half of them had completed at least 10-11 years of education. Most women were unemployed and had a monthly income of less than ~US$76. Fewer than half of the women reported having family planning discussions with providers. Correlates of patient-provider family planning discussions included younger age, discussions about PMTCT of HIV, male involvement, and decreased stigma ( < 0.05). Depression was indirectly associated with patient-provider family planning discussions through male involvement ( = -0.010, bias-corrected 95% confidence interval [bCI] [-0.019, -0.005]). That is, depression decreased male involvement, and in turn, male involvement increased patient-provider family planning discussions. Therefore, by decreasing male involvement, depression indirectly decreased family planning discussions. Study findings point to the importance of family planning strategies that address depression and facilitate male involvement to enhance communication between patients and providers and optimize maternal and neonatal health outcomes. This study underscores the need for longitudinal assessment of men's impact on family planning discussions both pre- and postpartum. Increasing support for provision of mental health services during pregnancy is merited to ensure the health of pregnant women living with HIV and their infants

A Qualitative Exploration of the Meaning and Understanding of Male Partner Involvement in Pregnancy-Related Care Among Men in Rural South Africa

Male partner involvement (MPI) during antenatal care has been promoted as an effective intervention to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes. Although MPI is commonly defined as men attending antenatal clinic visits with their female partner, few men attend antenatal clinic visits in rural communities in the province of Mpumalanga, South Africa. The study aimed to qualitatively explore the meaning and understanding of MPI as perceived by men visiting primary health care clinics in rural communities in Mpumalanga. Six focus groups discussions (n = 53) were conducted, digitally recorded, simultaneously transcribed, and translated verbatim into English. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Perceptions of male roles during and after pregnancy differed among men. Male involvement was understood as giving instrumental support to female partners through financial help, helping out with physical tasks, and providing emotional support. Accompanying female partners to the clinic was also viewed as partner support, including behaviors such as holding a spot for her in the clinic queues. Community attitudes, traditional beliefs, and negative experiences in health facilities were barriers for MPI. This study provides support for concerted efforts to work with both men and women within the cultural context to explore the important roles of all members of the family in working together to provide the best possible health outcomes for mother and infant. In particular, future interventions should focus on making antenatal care services more responsive to male partners, and improving male partner accessibility in health care facilities

Optical coherence tomography characteristics of group 2A idiopathic parafoveal telangiectasis

PURPOSE: To describe the optical coherence tomography (OCT) characteristics of patients with group 2A idiopathic parafoveal telangiectasis (IPFT) and to correlate them with biomicroscopic and fluorescein angiographic (FA) findings based on Gass and Blodi staging classification for group 2A IPFT. METHODS: Fifty-two eyes of 26 consecutive patients with IPFT underwent biomicroscopic fundus examination, color fundus photography, FA, and OCT. Main outcome measures were OCT characteristics and their correlation with biomicroscopy and FA. RESULTS: The most common OCT findings that help differentiate between stages in group 2A IPFT are 1) highly reflective dots in the inner retina that correspond with microvessels seen by FA in Stage 1 (5 eyes [62.5%]); 2) the presence of hyporeflective intraretinal spaces in the absence of retinal thickening and highly reflective dots in the retina in Stage 2 (9 [81.8%] and 10 eyes [90.9%], respectively); 3) in Stage 3, both outer and inner retina exhibit areas of similar high reflectivity. In addition, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choriocapillaris complex is thickened or disrupted as evidenced by an area of high reflectivity (13 eyes [81.2%]); 4) a highly reflective area nasal or temporal to the fovea in the inner or outer retinal layers in Stage 4 suggesting RPE proliferation and migration (13 eyes [100%]); and 5) a fusiform thickening and duplication of the highly reflective RPE/choriocapillaris complex corresponding to choroidal neovascularization in Stage 5 (4 eyes [100%]). Our OCT characteristics correlated well with biomicroscopic and FA findings for Stages 4 and 5. However, the hyporeflective spaces that are evident on OCT could not be seen clinically at the slit lamp or on FA. In addition, our OCT findings on eyes with group 2A IPFT Stage 3 have not, to our knowledge, been previously described. CONCLUSIONS: Optical coherence tomography findings in group 2A IPFT were characteristic for each stage and may be helpful in making the diagnosis as well as defining the anatomical staging proposed by Gass and Blodi. Optical coherence tomography complements biomicroscopic and FA findings in the evaluation of group 2A IPFT. © The Ophthalmic Communications Society, Inc

Addressing intravaginal practices in women with HIV and at-risk for HIV infection, a mixed methods pilot study

Intravaginal practices (IVPs), include intravaginal cleansing (cleansing the inside of the vagina) or intravaginal insertion of products for hygiene, health or sexuality reasons. IVPs are associated with adverse female health outcomes, development of bacterial vaginosis, HIV acquisition and transmission. A mixed methods approach was used in this study to examine the prevalence of IVP, assess reasons for engagement, and perceptions of IVP among a sample of minority (African-American and Hispanic) women infected, or at-risk, for HIV in Miami, USA, a city with increasing numbers of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Three focus groups (total n=20) and quantitative assessments (n=72) were conducted with women infected or uninfected with HIV. In the qualitative assessments, most women reported engaging in both intravaginal cleansing and intravaginal insertion, and stated the main motivation for IVP was hygiene. The quantitative assessments confirmed that cleansing with water alone, soap with water or using commercial douches was common, as well as intravaginal insertion using a cloth or a rag in both HIV-infected and uninfected women. Women with HIV infection reported less use of water and water and soap for IVPs, and reported learning about the potential harm of IVP from their HIV health care providers. Despite their health risks, IVP appeared common in both HIV-infected and at-risk minority women, and interventions to decrease IVP could have important health implications among populations with high rates of IVP, STIs and HIV

Mixed-methods cross-sectional study of the prevention of vertical HIV transmission program users unaware of male partner’s HIV status, in six South African districts with a high antenatal HIV burden

DATA AVAILABILITY : The dataset is still being analyzed by the primary research team. Anyone needing to access the data should e-mail [email protected] for quantitative data or [email protected] for qualitative data and qualitative methodology. Any data sharing will be by individual request, and in consultation with researchers currently analyzing the data.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION : ADDITIONAL FILE 1: COREQ Checklist for Qualitative Study ADDITIONAL FILE 2: Option B+ FGDs inclusion criteriaBACKGROUND : Elimination of vertical HIV Transmission (VHT) and maternal deaths are global health priorities. Male involvement is one of the most important factors that influences women’s decisions, including the uptake of Prevention of vertical HIV transmission (P-VHT). We sought to understand not knowing a male partner’s HIV status (MPHIVs) amongst women using services to prevent vertical HIV transmission in six South African districts with high antenatal HIV burden. METHODS : A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted in six South African districts, and data collected through face-to-face interviews with women and focus group discussions (FGDs) with women or male partners. The quantitative data were analyzed using STATA SE-17.0 and an inductive approach was used for qualitative data analysis. RESULTS : Overall, 28.7% of women were unaware of their MPHIVs, while 25.3% and 46.0% knew the MPHIVs was positive or negative, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression, single marital status and unplanned pregnancy increased the odds of not knowing a MPHIVs while a woman’s disclosure of her HIV status to the male partner reduced the odds. FDGs highlighted complexities around MPHIVs disclosure, e.g., reluctance to test for HIV and potential interventions including healthcare worker (HCW) assisted HIV disclosure. CONCLUSION : User-informed interventions to address MPHIVs non-disclosure amongst women of child-bearing age, particularly those at risk of unstable sexual partners and unplanned pregnancies, should be strengthened.The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); a Ford Foundation Fellowship, administered by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, a PEO Scholar Award from the PEO Sisterhood, and NIMH R36MH127838.https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.comam2024Paediatrics and Child HealthSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-bein

Dicer ablation in Kiss1 neurons impairs puberty and fertility preferentially in female mice

Kiss1 neurons, producing kisspeptins, are essential for puberty and fertility, but their molecular regulatory mechanisms remain unfolded. Here, we report that congenital ablation of the microRNA-synthesizing enzyme, Dicer, in Kiss1 cells, causes late-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in both sexes, but is compatible with pubertal initiation and preserved Kiss1 neuronal populations at the infantile/juvenile period. Yet, failure to complete puberty and attain fertility is observed only in females. Kiss1-specific ablation of Dicer evokes disparate changes of Kiss1-cell numbers and Kiss1/kisspeptin expression between hypothalamic subpopulations during the pubertal-transition, with a predominant decline in arcuate-nucleus Kiss1 levels, linked to enhanced expression of its repressors, Mkrn3, Cbx7 and Eap1. Our data unveil that miRNA-biosynthesis in Kiss1 neurons is essential for pubertal completion and fertility, especially in females, but dispensable for initial reproductive maturation and neuronal survival in both sexes. Our results disclose a predominant miRNA-mediated inhibitory program of repressive signals that is key for precise regulation of Kiss1 expression and, thereby, reproductive function.Kiss1 neurons are essential for puberty and fertility. Here, the authors show that canonical microRNA biosynthesis in Kiss1 neurons plays an essential role in the control of puberty and fertility, especially in females, likely via repression of repressors on the Kiss1 gene.</p