2023 Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Adult Antiretroviral Therapy Guidelines: What’s new?

No abstract available

Southern African HIV Clinicians Society 2023 Guideline for post-exposure prophylaxis: Updated recommendations

No abstract available

Effects of PACK guide training on the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by primary care clinicians: a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial in Florianópolis, Brazil

Introduction The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK) guide was localised for Brazil, where primary care doctors and nurses were trained to use it. Methods Twenty-four municipal clinics in Florianópolis were randomly allocated to receive outreach training and the guide, and 24 were allocated to receive only the guide. 6666 adult patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were enrolled, and trial outcomes were measured over 12 months, using electronic medical records. The primary outcomes were composite scores of treatment changes and spirometry, and new asthma and COPD diagnosis rates. Results Asthma scores in 2437 intervention group participants were higher (74.8%, 20.4% and 4.8% with scores of 0, 1 and 2, respectively) than in 2633 control group participants (80.0%, 16.8% and 3.2%) (OR for higher score 1.32, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.61, p=0.006). Adjusted for asthma scores recorded in each clinic before training started, the OR was 1.24 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.50, p=0.022). COPD scores in 1371 intervention group participants (77.7%, 17.9% and 4.3% with scores of 0, 1 and 2) did not differ from those in 1181 control group participants (80.5%, 15.8% and 3.7%) (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.55, p=0.142). Rates of new asthma and COPD diagnoses, and hospital admission, and indicators of investigation, diagnosis and treatment of comorbid cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression, and tobacco cessation did not differ between trial arms. Conclusion PACK training increased guideline-based treatment and spirometry for asthma but did not affect COPD or comorbid conditions, or diagnosis rates

Management of drug-induced liver injury in people with HIV treated for tuberculosis: 2024 update

No abstract available

Southern African HIV Clinicians Society 2022 guideline for the management of sexually transmitted infections : moving towards best practice

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are among the most common acute conditions worldwide with sub-Saharan Africa ranking among the regions with the highest burdens globally. Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), people living with HIV (PLHIV), pregnant women, and key and vulnerable populations are disproportionally affected by STIs. The social determinants of health, gender inequality, and STI-associated stigma and discrimination (at both the community and facility level) are important contributors to the sustained high burden of infection.http://www.sajhivmed.org.za/index.php/hivmeddm2022Medical Microbiolog

Southern African HIV Clinicians Society Guideline for the clinical management of syphilis

Syphilis, ‘the great imitator’, caused by Treponema pallidum infection, remains a complex and multifaceted disease with a rich history of clinical diversity. This guideline aims to be a comprehensive guide for healthcare workers in Southern Africa, offering practical insights into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing, therapeutic principles, and public health responses to syphilis. Although the syphilis burden has declined over the years, recent data indicate a troubling resurgence, particularly among pregnant women and neonates. This guideline highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by syphilis, stemming from the absence of a single high-sensitivity and -specificity test. While treatment with penicillin remains the cornerstone of treatment, alternative regimens may be used for specific scenarios. We highlight the importance of thorough patient follow-up and management of sex partners to ensure optimal care of syphilis cases. In the context of public health, we emphasise the need for concerted efforts to combat the increasing burden of syphilis, especially within high-risk populations, including people living with HIV

Integrating primary care of chronic respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Brazil: Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK Brazil): study protocol for randomised controlled trials

Background: Multimorbidity is increasing common in Brazilian adults. Comorbid chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes are often inaccurately diagnosed or ineffectively treated. The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) aims to strengthen health systems to prevent and control non-communicable diseases through primary health care. The Practical Approach to Care Kit (PACK Adult) is a clinical decision support tool that provides evidence-supported algorithmic guidelines for screening, diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, and is widely used in South Africa. It was adapted for Brazil by family physicians in the Florianopolis City Health Department, which trains clinic doctors and nurses to use it. Methods: Effectiveness of PACK Adult training will be evaluated in two pragmatic cluster randomised trials, one enrolling adults with chronic lower respiratory diseases and the other enrolling adults with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Forty eight municipal clinics in Florianopolis were randomly allocated to intervention or control arms. In intervention arm clinics, doctors and nurses will receive educational outreach training and the PACK Adult clinical decision support tool. In control arm clinics, doctors and nurses will receive only the tool. Trial outcomes will be measured using patients’ electronic medical records during 12 months after completion of basic training. Primary outcomes for the respiratory trial are appropriate prescribing, spirometry and diagnosis rates. Primary outcomes for the cardiovascular trial are testing for cardiovascular risk and diabetes, and systolic blood pressure. Educational outreach to primary care professionals could improve respiratory, cardiovascular and diabetes care in Brazil