HIV testing, care and viral suppression among men who have sex with men and transgender individuals in Johannesburg, South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Men who have sex with men and transgender individuals (MSM/TG) carry a disproportionately high burden of HIV, including in South Africa. However, there are few empirical population-representative estimates of viral suppression and the HIV care cascade including HIV testing among this population, nor of factors associated with these outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a respondent driven sampling (RDS) survey among 301 MSM/TG in Johannesburg in 2017. Participants gave blood samples for HIV testing and viral load. Participants self-completed a survey including sociodemographics, HIV testing history, and engagement in care. We calculated RDS-II weighted estimates of the percentage of HIV-negative MSM/TG reporting HIV testing in the previous 6 months, their testing experience and preferences. Among those HIV-positive, we estimated the percentage status-aware, on ART, and virally suppressed (<50 viral copies/ml plasma). We conducted RDS-weighted robust Poisson regression to obtain weighted prevalence ratios of factors associated with 1) HIV testing among those HIV-negative; and 2) viral suppression among those HIV-positive. RESULTS: There were 118/300 HIV-positive MSM/TG, (37.5%). Of the HIV-negative MSM/TG, 61.5% reported that they had tested for HIV in the previous 6 months, which was associated with selling sex to men (Prevalence Ratio = 1.67, 95% CI 1.36-2.05). There were 76/118 HIV-positive MSM/TG (56.5%) who reported having previously tested positive for HIV and 39/118 (30.0%) who reported current ART. There were 58/118 HIV-positive MSM/TG with viral loads <50 copies/ml plasma (46.9%). Viral suppression was associated with older age (adjusted PR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06 for each year), neighbourhood, and having bought sex from men (adjusted PR = 1.53, 95% CI 1.12-2.08). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevalence was very high. Viral suppression among those HIV-positive was similar to the general male population in South Africa, but remains far short of national and international targets. A majority of HIV-negative MSM/TG had HIV tested in the previous 6 months, though there is room for improvement

Online socializing among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Nairobi and Johannesburg and implications for public health-related research and health promotion: an analysis of qualitative and respondent-driven sampling survey data.

INTRODUCTION: There is little published literature about gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender individuals (MSM and TG)'s use of social media in sub-Saharan Africa, despite repressive social and/or criminalizing contexts that limit access to physical HIV prevention. We sought to describe MSM and TG's online socializing in Nairobi and Johannesburg, identifying the characteristics of those socializing online and those not, in order to inform the development of research and health promotion in online environments. METHODS: Respondent-driven sampling surveys were conducted in 2017 in Nairobi (n = 618) and Johannesburg (n = 301) with those reporting current male gender identity or male sex assigned at birth and sex with a man in the last 12 months. Online socializing patterns, sociodemographic, sexual behaviour and HIV-testing data were collected. We examined associations between social media use and sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviours among all, and only those HIV-uninfected, using logistic regression. Analyses were RDS-II weighted. Thirty qualitative interviews were conducted with MSM and TG in each city, which examined the broader context of and motivations for social media use. RESULTS: Most MSM and TG had used social media to socialize with MSM in the last month (60% Johannesburg, 71% Nairobi), mostly using generic platforms (e.g. Facebook), but also gay-specific (e.g. Grindr). HIV-uninfected MSM and TG reporting riskier recent sexual behaviours had raised odds of social media use in Nairobi, including receptive anal intercourse (adjusted OR = 2.15, p = 0.006), buying (aOR = 2.24, p = 0.015) and selling sex with men (aOR = 2.17, p = 0.004). Evidence for these associations was weaker in Johannesburg, though socializing online was associated with condomless anal intercourse (aOR = 3.67, p = 0.003) and active syphilis (aOR = 13.50, p = 0.016). Qualitative findings indicated that while online socializing can limit risk of harm inherent in face-to-face interactions, novel challenges were introduced, including context collapse and a fear of blackmail. CONCLUSIONS: Most MSM and TG in these cities socialize online regularly. Users reported HIV acquisition risk behaviours, yet this space is not fully utilized for sexual health promotion and research engagement. Effective, safe and acceptable means of using online channels to engage with MSM/TG that account for MSM and TG's strategies and concerns for managing online security should now be explored, as complements or alternatives to existing outreach

Cost-effectiveness of single-visit cervical cancer screening in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a model-based analysis accounting for the HIV epidemic

Introduction Women living with human immunodeficiency virus (WLHIV) face elevated risks of human papillomavirus (HPV) acquisition and cervical cancer (CC). Coverage of CC screening and treatment remains low in low-and-middle-income settings, reflecting resource challenges and loss to follow-up with current strategies. We estimated the health and economic impact of alternative scalable CC screening strategies in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, a region with high burden of CC and HIV. Methods We parameterized a dynamic compartmental model of HPV and HIV transmission and CC natural history to KwaZulu-Natal. Over 100 years, we simulated the status quo of a multi-visit screening and treatment strategy with cytology and colposcopy triage (South African standard of care) and six single-visit comparator scenarios with varying: 1) screening strategy (HPV DNA testing alone, with genotyping, or with automated visual evaluation triage, a new high-performance technology), 2) screening frequency (once-per-lifetime for all women, or repeated every 5 years for WLHIV and twice for women without HIV), and 3) loss to follow-up for treatment. Using the Ministry of Health perspective, we estimated costs associated with HPV vaccination, screening, and pre-cancer, CC, and HIV treatment. We quantified CC cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted for each scenario. We discounted costs (2022 US dollars) and outcomes at 3% annually and calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Results We projected 69,294 new CC cases and 43,950 CC-related deaths in the status quo scenario. HPV DNA testing achieved the greatest improvement in health outcomes, averting 9.4% of cases and 9.0% of deaths with one-time screening and 37.1% and 35.1%, respectively, with repeat screening. Compared to the cost of the status quo ($12.79 billion), repeat screening using HPV DNA genotyping had the greatest increase in costs. Repeat screening with HPV DNA testing was the most effective strategy below the willingness to pay threshold (ICER:$3,194/DALY averted). One-time screening with HPV DNA testing was also an efficient strategy (ICER: $1,398/DALY averted). Conclusions Repeat single-visit screening with HPV DNA testing was the optimal strategy simulated. Single-visit strategies with increased frequency for WLHIV may be cost-effective in KwaZulu-Natal and similar settings with high HIV and HPV prevalence

Weight change among women using intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, a copper intrauterine device, or a levonorgestrel implant for contraception : findings from a randomised, multicentre, open-label trial

BACKGROUND : There is limited evidence on the impact of the use of progestin-only hormonal contraception (POC) on weight change. We conducted a secondary analysis of prospective weight change among women enrolled in the Evidence for Contraceptive options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) trial. METHODS : The ECHO trial was conducted at 12 sites in eSwatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia between December 2015 and October 2018. HIV negative, women aged 16 35 years, desiring contraception, were randomised (1:1:1) to either 3-monthly intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), levonorgestrel (LNG) implant or copper intrauterine device (IUD). Follow-up was up to 18 months. Weight (kg) was measured at baseline and study exit. Analysis was performed as intention to treat (ITT) and time on continuous contraceptive use. The primary outcome of this secondary analysis is weight change from study enrolment to the final visit at study month 12 18. The ECHO trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02550067. FINDINGS : 7829 women were randomly assigned to DMPA-IM (n = 2609), copper IUD (n = 2607) or LNG implant (n = 2613). The ITT population included 7014 women 2293 DMPA-IM group, 2372 copper IUD group and 2349 LNG group) who were not lost to follow-up, pregnant on study, or missing weight data. The mean weight increased in all groups but was significantly different in magnitude: 3.5 kg (SD = 6.3), 2.4 kg (SD = 5.9) and 1.5 kg (SD = 5.7) in the DMPA-IM, LNG implant and copper IUD groups, respectively. Comparative differences between groups were (2.02 kg (95% CI, 1.68, 2.36, p < 0.001) for DMPA-IM versus copper IUD, 0.87 kg (0.53,1.20 p < 0.001) for LNG implant compared to copper IUD and 1.16 kg (0.82, 1.50, p < 0.001) for DMPAIM compared with LNG implant. Results for continuous contraceptive use were similar. INTERPRETATION : We found differences in weight gain between POC users compared to the non-hormonal copper IUD group over 12 18 months of use. Women using POCs should be counselled about this potential side effect when choosing a contraceptive method.Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, South African Medical Research Council, and UNFPA.http://www.journals.elsevier.com/eclinicalmedicineam2022Medical Microbiolog

ART initiation among women newly diagnosed with HIV in a contraceptive trial in sub-Saharan Africa

Current guidelines recommend starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis to reduce morbidity, mortality and onward HIV transmission. We examined factors influencing ART initiation by women who seroconverted during the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) Trial. ECHO, conducted between 2015 and 2018, enrolled HIV-negative, sexually active women, aged 16–35 years, from four African countries. Follow-up was 12–18 months, with quarterly HIV testing. Women with incident HIV infection received extensive counselling by trial staff and referral to local facilities for HIV care. Of 304 women with ≥90 days follow-up time since HIV diagnosis, 186(61.2%) initiated ART within 90 days, 69(22.7%) initiated after 90 days, and 49(16.1%) had not initiated by the end of the study. There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics among women who initiated ART ≤90 days versus those who did not. Frequent reasons for delayed or non-initiation of ART included not feeling ready to start ART and being newly diagnosed. In a large clinical trial, ART initiation was modest within 90 days of HIV diagnosis and grew to 84% with longer observation. Despite extensive counselling on the importance of early ART initiation, personal barriers delayed some women from starting ART.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/caic20pm2021Medical Microbiolog

Integrating oral PrEP delivery among African women in a large HIV endpoint-driven clinical trial

INTRODUCTION : Global guidelines emphasize the ethical obligation of investigators to help participants in HIV-endpoint trials reduce HIV risk by offering an optimal HIV prevention package. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has increasingly become part of state-of-the-art HIV prevention. Here we describe the process of integrating oral PrEP delivery into the HIV prevention package of the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) Trial. METHODS : ECHO was an open-label randomized clinical trial that compared HIV incidence among women randomized to one of three effective contraceptives. In total, 7830 women aged 16 to 35 years from 12 sites in four African countries (Eswatini, Kenya, South Africa and Zambia) were enrolled and followed for 12 to 18 months, from 2015 to 2018. Part-way through the course of the trial, oral PrEP was provided to study participants either off-site via referral or on site via trained trial staff. PrEP uptake was compared between different contraceptive users using Chi-squared tests or t-tests. HIV seroincidence rates were compared between participants who never versus ever initiated PrEP using exact Poisson regression. RESULTS : PrEP access in ECHO began through public availability in Kenya in May 2017 and was available at all sites by June 2018. When PrEP became available, 3626 (46.3%) eligible women were still in follow-up in the study, and of these, 622 (17.2%) initiated PrEP. Women initiating PrEP were slightly older; more likely to be unmarried, not living with their partner, having multiple partners; and less likely to be earning their own income and receiving financial support from partners (all p < 0.05). PrEP initiation did not differ across study randomized groups (p = 0.7). Two-thirds of PrEP users were continuing PrEP at study exit. CONCLUSIONS : There is a need for improved HIV prevention services in clinical trials with HIV endpoints, especially trials among African women. PrEP as a component of a comprehensive HIV prevention package provided to women in a large clinical trial is practical and feasible. Provision of PrEP within clinical trials with HIV outcomes should be standard of prevention.The ECHO Trial was funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, US Agency for International Development and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, South African Medical Research Council and UN Population Fund. Contraceptive supplies were donated by the Government of South Africa and US Agency for International Development. IB received funding from the South African Medical Research Council under the SAMRC Clinician Researcher MD PhD Development Programme.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17582652am2020Family Medicin

HIV disease progression among women following seroconversion during a tenofovir-based HIV prevention trial.

CAPRISA, 2017.Abstract available in pdf

Quantifiable plasma tenofovir among South African women using daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis during the ECHO trial

Access to data from the ECHO study may be requested through submission of a research concept to ude.wu@crci. The concept must include the research question, data requested, analytic methods, and steps taken to ensure ethical use of the data. Access will be granted if the concept is evaluated to have scientific merit and if sufficient data protections are in place. As of the time of publication, data access applications are in process with the governing institutional review boards of the ECHO study to make deidentified data publicly available.BACKGROUND : HIV endpoint–driven clinical trials provide oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as HIV prevention standard of care. We evaluated quantifiable plasma tenofovir among South African women who used oral PrEP during the Evidence for Contraceptive Options and HIV Outcomes (ECHO) Trial. METHODS : ECHO, a randomized trial conducted in 4 African countries between 2015 and 2018, assessed HIV incidence among HIV-uninfected women, aged 16–35 years, randomized to 1 of 3 contraceptives. Oral PrEP was offered onsite as part of the HIV prevention package at the South African trial sites. We measured tenofovir in plasma samples collected at the final trial visit among women reporting ongoing PrEP use. We used bivariate and multivariate logistical regression to assess demographic and sexual risk factors associated with plasma tenofovir quantification. RESULTS : Of 260 women included, 52% were ≤24 years and 22% had Chlamydia trachomatis at enrollment. At PrEP initiation, 68% reported inconsistent/nonuse of condoms. The median duration of PrEP use was 90 days (IQR: 83–104). Tenofovir was quantified in 36% (n = 94) of samples. Women >24 years had twice the odds of having tenofovir quantified vs younger women (OR = 2.12; 95% confidence interval = 1.27 to 3.56). Women who reported inconsistent/nonuse of condoms had lower odds of tenofovir quantification (age-adjusted OR = 0.47; 95% confidence interval = 0.26 to 0.83). CONCLUSIONS : Over a third of women initiating PrEP and reporting ongoing use at the final trial visit had evidence of recent drug exposure. Clinical trials may serve as an entry point for PrEP initiation among women at substantial risk for HIV infection with referral to local facilities for ongoing access at trial end. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER : NCT02550067.The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the American people through the United States Agency for International Development, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the South Africa Medical Research Council, and the United Nations Population Fund. Contraceptive supplies were donated by the Government of South Africa and US Agency for International Development.http://journals.lww.com/jaidshj2023Family MedicineMedical Microbiolog

Sexually transmitted infections among women randomised to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, a copper intrauterine device or a levonorgestrel implant

OBJECTIVES : Reproductive aged women are at risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Understanding drivers of STI acquisition, including any association with widely used contraceptives, could help us to reduce STI prevalence and comorbidities. We compared the risk of STI among women randomised to three contraceptive methods. METHODS : We conducted a secondary analysis to assess the risk of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in a clinical trial evaluating HIV risk among 7829 women aged 16–35 randomised to intramuscular depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-IM), a copper intrauterine device (IUD) or a levonorgestrel (LNG) implant. We estimated chlamydia and gonorrhoea prevalences by contraceptive group and prevalence ratios (PR) using log-binomial regression. RESULTS : At baseline, chlamydia and gonorrhoea prevalences were 18% and 5%, respectively. Final visit chlamydia prevalence did not differ significantly between DMPA-IM and copper IUD groups or between copper IUD and LNG implant groups. The DMPA-IM group had significantly lower risk of chlamydia compared with the LNG implant group (PR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.95). Final visit gonorrhoea prevalence differed significantly only between the DMPA-IM and the copper IUD groups (PR 0.67, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.87). CONCLUSIONS : The findings suggest that chlamydia and gonorrhoea risk may vary with contraceptive method use. Further investigation is warranted to better understand the mechanisms of chlamydia and gonorrhoea susceptibility in the context of contraceptive use.http://sti.bmj.comhj2021Family Medicin