Time spent at health facility is a key driver of patient satisfaction, but did not influence retention to HIV care: A serial cross-sectional study in Mozambique.

INTRODUCTION: Patient satisfaction with clinical services can have an effect on retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. This study assessed patient satisfaction and its association with retention and viral suppression in Zambézia Province, Mozambique. METHODS: Monthly exit interviews with persons living with HIV were completed from August 2017-January 2019 in 20 health facilities; clinical data were extracted from medical records. Regression analyses assessed the effect of satisfaction scores on retention and viral suppression, adjusting for age, sex, education, civil status, time on treatment, and site. Satisfaction scores were correlated with time spent at health facilities using generalized linear regression models. RESULTS: Data from 4388 patients were analyzed. Overall median satisfaction score was 75% (IQR 53%-84%); median time spent at facilities (from arrival until completion of clinical services) was 2h54min (IQR 1h48min-4h). Overall satisfaction score was not associated with higher odds of retention or viral suppression, but association was seen between satisfaction regarding attention given to patient and respect and higher odds of viral suppression. Patient satisfaction was negatively associated with time spent in facility (Spearman's correlation -0.63). Increased time spent at facility (from 1 to 3 hours) was not associated with lower retention in care (OR 0.72 [95%CI:0.52-1.01] and 0.83 [95%CI: 0.63-1.09] at 6- and 12-months, respectively), nor with a lower odds of viral suppression (OR 0.96 [95%CI: 0.71-1.32]). CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to reduce patient wait times at the health facility warrant continued prioritization. Differentiated models of care have helped considerably, but novel approaches are still needed to further decongest crowded health facilities. In addition, a good client-provider communication and positive attitude can improve patient satisfaction with health services, with an overall improved retention.

Hazardous alcohol use among female heads-of-household in rural Mozambique.

Hazardous drinking places individuals at risk for adverse health events, resulting in a major public health burden globally. Patterns of alcohol consumption among women in Africa remain poorly understood. We aimed to describe alcohol consumption in a representative sample of female heads-of-household in Mozambique. A 2014 population-based cross-sectional study of 3892 heads-of-household was conducted in Zambézia Province. Data on alcohol use were collected using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Sociodemographic characteristics were summarized by alcohol use. A multivariable proportional odds model adjusted for age, education, Portuguese fluency, marital status, income, social support, depression, food insecurity, currently pregnant, and child mortality was used for the ordinal AUDIT scale as outcomes with robust covariance to account for clustering of respondents. The overall prevalence of current alcohol consumption among female heads-of-household was 15%. The mean PHQ-8 score was 2.7 (SD 4.7). The prevalence of women considered "hazardous drinkers" (score >4) was 8%. In bivariate analyses, depression, marital status, currently being pregnant, food insecurity, and death of a child were associated with higher risk of hazardous drinking. After adjusting for multiple characteristics, depression (aOR: 2.20 [1.28, 3.76] p = 0.004), death of a child (aOR: 2.44 [1.46, 4.07] p = 0.001), and being currently pregnant (aOR: 1.83 [0.99, 3.39] p = 0.002) were associated with hazardous drinking behavior. Being single (aOR: 0.48 [0.29, 0.80], p = 0.017) and food insecure (aOR: 0.96 [0.92, 1.00], p = 0.050) showed a protective effect on hazardous drinking behavior. The percentage of female heads-of-household in north-central Mozambique that regularly drink alcohol was lower than expected. This may be due to the unique characteristics of female heads-of-household and the extreme poverty pervasive in Zambézia.

Depression among female heads-of-household in rural Mozambique: A cross-sectional population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: An estimated 350 million people live with depression worldwide. In Mozambique, there are no national data quantifying the burden of mental illnesses. With the sixth highest suicide rate in the world, there is strong evidence of an unmet mental health need. We conducted a survey to measure the prevalence of depression among female heads of household and assess individual, social, and cultural risk factors associated with a positive depression screening. METHODS: This survey was conducted across 14 rural districts in central Mozambique in 2014. We gathered information from 3543 female heads of household (100% response rate) on > 500 variables, including a depression screening tool (PHQ-8). Weighted percentages of survey responses are reported. RESULTS: Among female heads of household, 14% screened positive for depression (PHQ-8 score ≥ 10). Our adjusted models show increased odds of depression per additional year of age (aOR: 1.02 [1.01, 1.04]; p = 0.002), additional year of education (aOR: 1.06 [1.02, 1.11]; p = 0.006), and additional kilometer from the nearest clinic (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.07]; p = < 0.001). Experiencing food insecurity (aOR: 1.05 [1.02, 1.08]; p = 0.003) was associated with increased odds of depression. Being single (aOR: 0.42 [0.29, 0.60]) or divorced/widowed/separated (aOR: 0.57 [0.34, 0.98]; p < 0.001) vs. married was protective against depression, as was a perceived "sufficient" household income (aOR: 0.37 [0.19, 0.69]; p = 0.008). LIMITATIONS: Social desirability bias may have led women to underreport feelings of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The association of more education and marriage with increased odds of depression may reflect a frustration with limited opportunity for success experienced by some women in rural Mozambique.

Determinants of full vaccination status in children aged 12-23 months in Gurùé and Milange districts, Mozambique: results of a population-based cross-sectional survey.

Background: In 2011, 64% of children in Mozambique, ages 12-23 months, were fully immunized. Large provincial differences in vaccine uptake exist. Methods: We conducted a survey of 1650 females with children aged 12-23 months in the districts of Gurùé and Milange. Implementation occurred from November to December 2014. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression using R-software 3.0.2 were used to examine factors associated with full vaccination status. ArcGIS version 10.3.1 (ESRI, Redlands, CA, USA) was used to map spatial patterns of vaccine uptake. Results: Full vaccination was roughly 48%. Identifying 'hospital' as a location to get vaccinated was associated with having a fully vaccinated child (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.02, 3.41, p=0.043). Households where health decisions are made solely by the male or the female had 38% (95% CI=0.32, 1.21) and 55% (95% CI=0.29, 0.69) lower odds, respectively, of their child being fully immunized. For every 10 km increase from the nearest health facility there was a 36% lower odds of the child being fully immunized (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.44, 0.93, p<0.001). Conclusion: Zambézia Province, as a whole and the districts of Gurùé and Milange specifically, is falling short of vaccination targets. Intensified efforts focused on the least educated, most distant and which take a more family-centered approach are needed to improve vaccine uptake.