Ethnographic understandings of sexual and reproductive health and HIV care for adolescents in Blantyre, Malawi.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care and support are provided to adolescents living with HIV, with the aim to build safer sex negotiation skills, sexual readiness and reproductive preparedness while reducing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. We consider how different settings might either constrain or facilitate access to resources and support. Ethnographic research was conducted in Malawi in teen club clinic sessions at an enhanced antiretroviral clinic from November 2018 to June 2019. Twenty-one individual and five group interviews were conducted with young people, caregivers, and healthcare workers, and were digitally recorded, transcribed, and translated into English for thematic analysis. Drawing on socio-ecological and resilience theories, we considered the different ways in which homes, schools, teen club clinics, and community settings all functioned as interactional, relational, and transformational spaces to allow young people to talk about and receive information on sexuality and health. Young people perceived that comprehensive SRH support enhanced their knowledge, sexual readiness, and reproductive preparedness. However, their desire to reproduce at an early age complicated their adoption of safer sex negotiation skills and SRH care. Engaging and talking about SRH and related issues varied according to physical and social space, suggesting the value of multiple locations for support and resources for young people with HIV.

Malawian caregivers' experiences with HPV vaccination for preadolescent girls: A qualitative study.

Introduction: Many low- and middle-income countries have introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, but uptake remains extremely low. Malawi has the second-highest incidence of cervical cancer globally, and launched a national HPV vaccination program in 2019. We sought to understand attitudes about, and experiences with, the HPV vaccine among caregivers of eligible girls in Malawi. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews with 40 caregivers (parents or guardians) of preadolescent girls in Malawi to understand their experiences with HPV vaccination. We coded the data informed by the Behavioural and Social Drivers of vaccine uptake model and recommendations from WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts Working Group on Vaccine Hesitancy. Results: In this sample, 37% of age-eligible daughters had not received any HPV vaccine doses, 35% had received 1 dose, 19% had received 2 doses, and 10% had an unknown vaccination status. Caregivers were aware of the dangers of cervical cancer, and understood that HPV vaccine is an effective prevention tool. However, many caregivers had heard rumors about the vaccine, particularly its alleged harmful effect on girls' future fertility. Many caregivers, especially mothers, felt that school-based vaccination was efficient; but some caregivers expressed disappointment that they had not been more engaged in the school-based delivery of HPV vaccine. Caregivers also reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has been disruptive to vaccination. Conclusions: There are complex and intersecting factors that affect caregivers' motivation to vaccinate their daughters against HPV, and the practical challenges that caregivers may encounter. We identify areas for future research and intervention that could contribute to cervical cancer elimination: better communicating about vaccine safety (particularly to address concerns about loss of fertility), leveraging the unique advantages of school-based vaccination while ensuring parental engagement, and understanding the complex effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (and vaccination program).

Adolescent sexual health interventions that include very young adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Targeting very young adolescents (VYAs) with sexual health (SH) interventions is increasingly being recognised as one of the strategies for addressing SH challenges in late adolescence. However, there is a dearth of literature regarding SH interventions implemented specifically for VYAs in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This scoping review aims to provide a summary of documented evidence on SH interventions that include VYAs in SSA, identify gaps in existing interventions and provide recommendations for further programmatic work on SH for VYAs. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The methods for this scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and further enhanced by Levac et al and the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will search electronic databases: Popline, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL, Dimensions, African Journals Online (AJOL) and specific summon country-specific search. We will include published studies from SSA and only adolescent SH interventions published from the year 2003-2022. Furthermore, we will include programmatic and intervention literature that has not been published in peer-reviewed articles. The data will be charted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review. The data will then be collated and summarised. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The scoping review methodology involves putting together information from articles or grey literature that is either publicly available or shared by the authors, this study does not require ethical approval. Findings of this scoping review will be published in a scientific journal and presented at relevant scientific fora and conferences. This scoping review will provide a comprehensive overview of the evidence base of adolescent SH interventions for VYAs in SSA and will highlight critical gaps in the existing interventions and areas where further programmatic work is needed for VYAs in SSA. REGISTRATION: https://archive.org/details/osf-registrations-gn538-v1.

Containing COVID-19 and the social costs on human rights in African countries.

Multiple social interventions were introduced to contain the COVID-19 pandemic across Africa, limiting social engagement, school and workplace attendance, and travel. In anticipation of negative economic consequences and social impact, many governments introduced cash transfers, social pensions, food aid, and utility and tax waivers. However, people living precariously and/or under conditions of structural vulnerability were often unable to access to this support. A rapid review was undertaken on COVID-19 and the effects of interventions on human rights in African countries, examining primary studies, editorial notes, opinion papers, and literature reviews, with focus on qualitative approaches and discussions. In examining the links between health, human rights and non-pharmaceutical interventions on vulnerable populations, the review identified that: (1) people who were vulnerable were excluded from or not adequately represented in policy responses to COVID-19; (2) the precarious socio-economic conditions of these populations were not adequately addressed by dominant policy responses; and (3) only partial support was offered to those whose relationship with the state was ambiguous or conditional, so compromising human rights. Interactions between health, human rights, and underlying social and economic conditions amplified poor health and impoverishment of those who were already vulnerable. The challenge is to find a balance between stopping the spread of COVID-19 and the protection of human rights; to implement population-specific responses to supplement uniform public health responses; and to address causes (structural vulnerability) rather than symptoms. There is a need to plan rather than react to pandemics, and to co-construct interventions with rather than delivering instructions to populations. These recommendations serve as instruments to be considered when designing new policies, to incorporate a human rights perspective in responses to current and future pandemics.

Service Use and Resilience among Adolescents Living with HIV in Blantyre, Malawi.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience social and health challenges that warrant the provision of services and relational support to build resilience. Little is known about how social, community and health services help. We examine formal and alternative service use by and resilience of ALHIV participating in an enhanced teen-club clinic (TCC) programme. DESCRIPTION: TCC is an adolescent-centred differentiated care model offering a 'one-stop-shop' for HIV/Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services to ALHIV. A survey was conducted with 406 ALHIV to determine frequency of use and satisfaction with services. In addition, we conducted 26 in-depth interviews with ALHIV, 12 group discussions with 144 caregivers, and observations of workshops held for 35 health workers to capture multiple perspectives on service use and relational support systems for adolescent's wellbeing. DISCUSSION: About 70% of ALHIV were concurrently clients of three or more services. The multi-method analysis showed variations on risks, range of services, frequency of use and satisfaction. Interview data reflected complex factors influencing access to formal services, and caregivers and adolescents also sought alternative care from spiritual and traditional healers. CONCLUSION: Adolescent centred-approaches have the potential to enhance resilience promoting resources and outcomes. A multi-sectoral approach to service use and provision is critical to inform adolescent intervention programs and wellbeing.

Validating a Child Youth Resilience Measurement (CYRM-28) for Adolescents Living With HIV (ALHIV) in Urban Malawi.

Resilience as a strength-based notion, measured across cultures, age groups, and sub-populations, contributes to understanding health and well-being. Yet, there is limited evidence of how the construct performs in resource-limited countries. We explored the psychometric properties of the CYRM-28 and validated the scale with adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), a key sub-population. The participants included members of an advisory panel and 406 ALHIV, aged 15-19 years, attending an antiretroviral therapy and teen-club clinic in Blantyre, Malawi. This study employed a mixed-method study using an exploratory sequential design. The advisory panel discussed the CYRM-28, and select ALHIV then translated it into Chichewa, pilot-tested it using cognitive interviews, and back-translated it for clarity and appropriateness. The resultant CYRM-28 was tested using a survey with purposefully selected ALHIV. The overall median score was 123, with an interquartile range of 110-130. Minimum and maximum scores were 53 and 140. Cronbach's alpha of 0.863 and Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure (0.866) confirmed internal consistency and the sample size adequacy, respectively. Bartlett's tests of sphericity (p < 0.001) informed factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis determined possible dimensions of resilience and the sub-scales. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the construct validity and supported a three-factor model consistent with the conceptualization of resilience as a multi-dimensional construct. Structural equation modeling was applied to perform CFA to measure model of resilience. Multiple fit indices showed a good fit for the model. The CYRM-28 has good internal consistency, test and re-test reliability, and moderate convergent validity which render it useful as a self-report resilience measure to inform and evaluate interventions for the health and well-being of adolescents in Malawi.

Adolescents living with HIV, complex needs and resilience in Blantyre, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Malawi experience multiple challenges associated with their illness and various social, environmental, economic and cultural factors. In exploring their various medical concerns and social vulnerabilities, we consider the role of multiple services in creating a pathway for resilience. METHODS: Multiple methods and case studies allowed for triangulation of evidence and provided a holistic understanding of resilience among adolescents with complex needs. The research methods included: (1) a survey to identify examples of young people with complex needs, (2) qualitative interviews and field notes to further explore these needs, (3) patient files and health passports to identify clinical challenges, and (4) ecomapping exercises to personalize cases and identify resilience-enabling resources and supports. We present four case studies to highlight the complex experiences and access to services of ALHIV, and to illustrate their growing power and decision-making capacity over time. RESULTS: Adversity experienced by ALHIV varied by gender, family situation, years of schooling, and use of teen-clubs for support. The two female adolescents emphasised their need to be accepted and how this impacted sexuality and reproduction. The two males illustrated how ideas of masculinity influenced their sexual practice and involvement with health services and the correctional justice system. Multiple risks (alcohol use, sexual activities) and complex needs (belonging, having a purpose in life/productive activities, autonomy, desire for offspring) influence pathways to resilience. ALHIV were able to strengthen their own wellbeing by resisting negative behaviours and peer pressure and caregiver interactions through 'strategic silence'. CONCLUSION: ALHIV experienced self-transformation as a result of taking ART, with fewer severe episodes of illness and distressing skin conditions. Continuous engagement at the teen-club clinic transformed both productive activities and social relationships among ALHIV as they set life goals, gained a sense of empowerment, requested SRH services, and formed intimate relationships. These transformative opportunities allowed them to learn ways of minimizing risk of reinfection and violence, and of navigating health worker-caregiver-adolescent interactions.

Poverty and food security: drivers of insecticide-treated mosquito net misuse in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, food insecurity, connected to erratic rains and reduced agricultural outputs, has plagued Malawi. Many households are turning to fishing to seek additional sources of income and food. There is anecdotal evidence that insecticide-treated net (ITN) recipients in Malawi are using their nets for purposes other than sleeping, such as for fishing, protecting crops, and displaying merchandise, among others. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the factors leading residents of waterside communities in Malawi to use ITNs for fishing. METHODS: This study used qualitative and observational methods. Five waterside communities were identified, two each in the North, Central and Southern regions, representing a mix of lakeside and riverside settings. Fifteen focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 146 participants, including men, women, and community leaders. RESULTS: Respondents stated that they knew that ITNs should be slept under to protect from malaria. Respondents discussed financial hardships their communities were facing due to droughts, poverty, food scarcity, unemployment, and devaluation of the Malawian currency, the kwacha. Many described selling household goods, including clothes and cooking pots, to generate short-term income for their family. Though no respondents admitted to selling an ITN themselves, the practice was commonly known. Participants said that food shortages were forcing them to make difficult choices. Fishing with ITNs was reported to be common in the study sites, as a response to food insecurity, and was widely understood to be harmful over the longer term. Respondents felt that it was everyone's responsibility to cut down on this practice, but that efforts to confiscate or burn nets and boats of those caught fishing with ITNs were counter-productive since boats, especially, were a required resource for a productive livelihood. Respondents feared that if the health workers, government officials and donors continued to see ITNs being misused for fishing, the distribution of free ITNs would end, which would worsen malaria in their communities. CONCLUSIONS: Faced with economic hardships and food security crises, participants reported being forced to look for alternative incomes to feed their families. This sometimes included selling or repurposing their belongings, including ITNs, for income. This issue is complex and will require a community-led multisectoral response to preserve health, fisheries, and livelihoods.

The role of health animators in malaria control: a qualitative study of the health animator (HA) approach within the Majete malaria project (MMP) in Chikwawa District, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Malaria continues to place a high burden on communities due to challenges reaching intervention target levels in Chikwawa District, Malawi. The Hunger Project Malawi is using a health animator approach (HA) to address gaps in malaria control coverage. We explored the influence of community-based volunteers known as health animators (HAs) in malaria control. We assessed the impact of HAs on knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards malaria interventions. METHODS: This paper draws on the qualitative data collected to explore the roles of communities, HAs and formal health workers attending and not attending malaria workshops for malaria control. Purposive sampling was used to select 78 respondents. We conducted 10 separate focus group discussions (FGDs)-(n = 6) with community members and (n = 4) key informants. Nine in-depth interviews (IDIs) were held with HAs and Health Surveillance Assistants (HSAs) in three focal areas near Majete Wildlife Reserve. Nvivo 11 was used for coding and analysis. We employed the framework analysis and social capital theory to determine how the intervention influenced health and social outcomes. RESULTS: Using education, feedback sessions and advocacy in malaria workshop had mixed outcomes. There was a high awareness of community participation and comprehensive knowledge of the HA approach as key to malaria control. HAs were identified as playing a complementary role in malaria intervention. Community members' attitudes towards advocacy for better health services were poor. Attendance in malaria workshops was sporadic towards the final year of the intervention. Respondents mentioned positive attitudes and practices on net usage for prevention and prompt health-seeking behaviours. CONCLUSION: The HA approach is a useful strategy for complementing malaria prevention strategies in rural communities and improving practices for health-seeking behaviour. Various factors influence HAs' motivation, retention, community engagement, and programme sustainability. However, little is known about how these factors interact to influence volunteers' motivation, community participation and sustainability over time. More research is needed to explore the acceptability of an HA approach and the impact on malaria control in other rural communities in Malawi.

The effect of mobile phone text message reminders on health workers' adherence to case management guidelines for malaria and other diseases in Malawi: lessons from qualitative data from a cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Mobile health (mHealth), which uses technology such as mobile phones to improve patient health and health care delivery, is increasingly being tested as an intervention to promote health worker (HW) performance. This study assessed the effect of short messaging services (SMS) reminders in a study setting. Following a trial of text-message reminders to HWs to improve case management of malaria and other childhood diseases in southern Malawi that showed little effect, qualitative data was collected to explore the reasons why the intervention was ineffective and describe lessons learned. METHODS: Qualitative data collection was undertaken to lend insight into quantitative results from a trial in which 105 health facilities were randomized to three arms: (1) twice-daily text-message reminders to HWs, including clinicians and drug dispensers, on case management of malaria; (2) twice-daily text-message reminders to HWs on case management of malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea; and, (3) a control arm. In-depth interviews were conducted with 50 HWs in the intervention arms across seven districts. HWs were asked about acceptability and feasibility of the text-messaging intervention and its perceived impact on recommended case management. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and translated into English for a thematic and framework analysis. Nvivo 11 software was used for data management and analysis. RESULTS: A total of 50 HWs were interviewed at 22 facilities. HWs expressed high acceptance of text-message reminders and appreciated messages as job aids and practical reference material for their day-to-day work. However, HWs said that health systems barriers, including very high outpatient workload, commodity stock-outs, and lack of supportive supervision and financial incentives demotivated them, limited their ability to act on messages and therefore adherence to case management guidelines. Drug dispensers were more likely than clinicians to report usage of text-message reminders. Despite these challenges, nearly all HWs expressed a desire for a longer duration of the SMS intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Text-message reminders to HWs can provide a platform to improve understanding of treatment guidelines and case management decision-making skills, but might not improve actual adherence to guidelines. More interaction, for example through targeted supervision or two-way technology communication, might be an essential intervention component to help address structural barriers and facilitate improved clinical practice.

Impact of Facility- and Community-Based Peer Support Models on Maternal Uptake and Retention in Malawi's Option B+ HIV Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission Program: A 3-Arm Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (PURE Malawi).

BACKGROUND: Many sub-Saharan African countries have adopted Option B+, a prevention of mother-to-child transmission approach providing HIV-infected pregnant and lactating women with immediate lifelong antiretroviral therapy. High maternal attrition has been observed in Option B+. Peer-based support may improve retention. METHODS: A 3-arm stratified cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in Malawi to assess whether facility- and community-based peer support would improve Option B+ uptake and retention compared with standard of care (SOC). In SOC, no enhancements were made (control). In facility-based and community-based models, peers provided patient education, support groups, and patient tracing. Uptake was defined as attending a second scheduled follow-up visit. Retention was defined as being alive and in-care at 2 years without defaulting. Attrition was defined as death, default, or stopping antiretroviral therapy. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate risk differences (RDs) in uptake. Cox proportional hazards regression with shared frailties was used to estimate hazard of attrition. RESULTS: Twenty-one facilities were randomized and enrolled 1269 women: 447, 428, and 394 in facilities that implemented SOC, facility-based, and community-based peer support models, respectively. Mean age was 27 years. Uptake was higher in facility-based (86%; RD: 6%, confidence interval [CI]: -3% to 15%) and community-based (90%; RD: 9%, CI: 1% to 18%) models compared with SOC (81%). At 24 months, retention was higher in facility-based (80%; RD: 13%, CI: 1% to 26%) and community-based (83%; RD: 16%, CI: 3% to 30%) models compared with SOC (66%). CONCLUSIONS: Facility- and community-based peer support interventions can benefit maternal uptake and retention in Option B+.

Viral Suppression and HIV Drug Resistance at 6 Months Among Women in Malawi's Option B+ Program: Results From the PURE Malawi Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2011, Malawi launched Option B+, a program of universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment for pregnant and lactating women to optimize maternal health and prevent pediatric HIV infection. For optimal outcomes, women need to achieve HIVRNA suppression. We report 6-month HIVRNA suppression and HIV drug resistance in the PURE study. METHODS: PURE study was a cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating 3 strategies for promoting uptake and retention; arm 1: Standard of Care, arm 2: Facility Peer Support, and arm 3: Community Peer support. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers were enrolled and followed according to Malawi ART guidelines. Dried blood spots for HIVRNA testing were collected at 6 months. Samples with ART failure (HIVRNA ≥1000 copies/ml) had resistance testing. We calculated odds ratios for ART failure using generalized estimating equations with a logit link and binomial distribution. RESULTS: We enrolled 1269 women across 21 sites in Southern and Central Malawi. Most enrolled while pregnant (86%) and were WHO stage 1 (95%). At 6 months, 950/1269 (75%) were retained; 833/950 (88%) had HIVRNA testing conducted, and 699/833 (84%) were suppressed. Among those with HIVRNA ≥1000 copies/ml with successful amplification (N = 55, 41% of all viral loads > 1000 copies/ml), confirmed HIV resistance was found in 35% (19/55), primarily to the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor class of drugs. ART failure was associated with treatment default but not study arm, age, WHO stage, or breastfeeding status. CONCLUSIONS: Virologic suppression at 6 months was <90% target, but the observed confirmed resistance rates suggest that adherence support should be the primary approach for early failure in option B+.

Feasibility, acceptability and impact of integrating malaria rapid diagnostic tests and pre-referral rectal artesunate into the integrated community case management programme. A pilot study in Mchinji district, Malawi.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization recommends that persons of all ages suspected of malaria should receive a parasitological confirmation of malaria by use of malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) at community level, and that rectal artesunate should be used as a pre-referral treatment for severe malaria to rapidly reduce parasitaemia. This paper reports on findings from a pilot study that assessed the feasibility, acceptability and effects of integrating RDTs and pre-referral rectal artesunate into the integrated Community Case Management programme in Malawi. METHODS: This study used mixed methods to collect information for this survey. Pre- and post-intervention, cross-sectional, household surveys were carried out. A review of integrated community case management reports, including supervision checklists was conducted. Quantitative data were collected in tablets running on open data kit software, and then data were transferred to STATA version 12 for analysis. For key indicators, proportions were calculated at 95% confidence intervals. Qualitative data were recorded onto digital recorders, translated into English and transcribed for analysis. RESULTS: Out of 86 observed RDT performances, a total of 83 (97%) were performed correctly with a proper disposal of sharps and biohazard wastes. Only two (2%) febrile children who had an RDT negative result were treated with artemether-lumefantrine, contrary to malaria treatment guidelines. Utilization of community health workers (CHWs) as a first source of care increased from (33.9%) (95% CI; 25.5-42.3) at baseline to (89.7%) (95% CI; 83.5-95.5) at end line in the intervention villages. There was a corresponding decrease in the proportion of caregivers that first sought care from informal sources from 12.9% (95% CI; 6.9-18.9) to 1.9% (95% CI; 0.9-4.4) in the intervention villages. Acceptability of the use of RDTs and pre-referral rectal artesunate at the community level was relatively high. CONCLUSION: Integration of RDTs and pre-referral rectal at artesunate community level is both feasible and acceptable. The strategy has the potential to increase and improve utilization of child health services at community level. However, this depends on the CHWs' skills and their availability in remote areas.