HIV, syphilis and sexual-risk behaviours' prevalence among in-and out-of-school adolescent girls and young women in Zambia: A cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: In Zambia, 3.8% of young women and men aged 15-24 are HIV positive. However, like in most developing nations, HIV prevalence is higher among young women than young men (5.6% versus 1.8%). Despite the recognition of the rights of young people to sexual reproductive health (SRH) information and services, adolescent and young people (AYP) still face challenges in accessing healthcare in public health institutions including access to comprehensive knowledge on HIV/AIDs, HIV testing and contraceptives. The overall objective of the study was to collect baseline HIV, SRH and gender based violence (GBV) data at district level to inform the design of interventions targeting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 10-24 years in 20 districts of Zambia. METHODS: A cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was conducted in 20 districts of Zambia with the highest incidence of HIV. Data was collected between August and October 2022 with a total response rate of 92% (12,813/13960), constituting 5979 (46.7%) in-school and 6834 (53.3%) out-of-school participants. RESULTS: Overall, Mwinilunga, Chinsali, Chisamba and Chembe districts had the highest number of respondents, while Sinazongwe and Mungwi districts contributed the least. The overall age distribution was such that 12.6% (n = 1617) of those interviewed were aged 10 to 14 years, 35.4% (n = 4536) were aged 15-19 years, and 52.0% (n = 6660) were aged 20-24 years. The overall mean age at first sex among AGYW interviewed was 16.6 years which was broken down as follows: 16.2 years for in-school and 16.8 years for out of school. Overall, most of the respondents had first time sex with either their boyfriend (80.4%) or husband (15.6%), with 2.4% of the in-school participants reporting to have had their sexual debut in marriage compared to 21.0% among out-of-school AGYW. Prevalence of HIV was higher in the out-of-school compared to the in-school participants (5.5% vs 2.0%), Similarly, the prevalence of syphilis was higher in the out-of-school than the in-school participants (4.1% vs 1.5%). CONCLUSION: The study focused on assessing the prevalence and vulnerability of HIV, syphilis, GBV, and SRH services uptake among adolescent girls and young women, and exploring factors affecting girls' stay-in-school and re-engagement. The study found that HIV and syphilis are still significant public health problems among adolescent girls and young women in Zambia, emphasizing the need for increased efforts to prevent and manage these infections.

Availability of medical abortion medicines in eight countries: a descriptive analysis of key findings and opportunities.

BACKGROUND: In recent years a growing number of manufacturers and medical abortion products have entered country markets and health systems, with varying degrees of quality and accessibility. An interplay of factors including pharmaceutical regulations, abortion laws, government policies and service delivery guidelines and provider's knowledge and practices influence the availability of medical abortion medicines. We assessed the availability of medical abortion in eight countries to increase understanding among policymakers of the need to improve availability and affordability of quality-assured medical abortion products at regional and national levels. METHODS: Using a national assessment protocol and an availability framework, we assessed the availability of medical abortion medicines in Bangladesh, Liberia, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and South Africa between September 2019 and January 2020. RESULTS: Registration of abortion medicines-misoprostol or a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol-was established in all countries assessed, except Rwanda. Mifepristone and misoprostol regimen for medical abortion was identified on the national essential medicines list/standard treatment guidelines for South Africa as well as in specific abortion care service and delivery guidelines for Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, and Rwanda. In Liberia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone-countries with highly restrictive abortion laws and no abortion service delivery guidelines or training curricula-no government-supported training on medical abortion for public sector providers had occurred. Instead, training on medical abortion was either limited in scope to select private sector providers and pharmacists or prohibited. Community awareness activities on medical abortion have been limited in scope across the countries assessed and where abortion is broadly legal, most women do not know that it is an option. CONCLUSION: Understanding the factors that influence the availability of medical abortion medicines is important to support policymakers improve availability of these medicines. The landscape assessments documented that medical abortion commodities can be uniquely impacted by the laws, policies, values, and degree of restrictions placed on service delivery programs. Results of the assessments can guide actions to improve access.

Unsafe abortion is a leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age. Medical management of abortion with mifepristone and misoprostol pills, or just misoprostol, is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy. Owing to an increase in the number of medical abortion products that have entered country health systems, we examined access to these medicines from supply to demand in selected countries. The overarching goal of the national landscape assessments was to produce evidence to support advocacy efforts and policymaking for improved access to quality medical abortion products that is appropriate to the needs of the country. This paper aims to describe key findings across eight country settings on the availability of medical abortion medicines and identify key opportunities to improve access to them across countries.

Population-Based Estimation of the Preterm Birth Rate in Lilongwe, Malawi: Making Every Birth Count.

Objective The objective of this study was to perform a population-based estimation of the preterm birth (PTB) rate in regions surrounding Lilongwe, Malawi. Study Design We partnered with obstetrician specialists, community health workers, local midwives, and clinicians in a 50 km region surrounding Lilongwe, Malawi, to perform a population-based estimation of the PTB rate during the study period from December 1, 2012 to May 19, 2015. Results Of the 14,792 births captured, 19.3% of births were preterm, including preterm early neonatal deaths. Additional PTB risk factors were similarly prevalent including domestic violence, HIV, malaria, anemia, and malnutrition. Conclusion When performing a population-based estimation of the rate of PTB, including women without antenatal care and women delivering at home, the 19.3% rate of PTB is among the highest recorded globally. This is accompanied by a high rate of risk factors and comorbid conditions.

Population-Based Estimation of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease Rates of Gravid and Recently Postpartum Women in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the rate of dental caries and periodontal disease among gravid and recently postpartum women at five delivery centers within and surrounding Lilongwe, Malawi. Study Design We partnered with obstetric specialists, community health workers, and dentists to perform dental history interviews and dental examinations during the study period from December 2012 to May 2014. Dental examinations were performed according to World Health Organization standards to assess periodontal and oral health status. Results Among the 387 gravid and recently postpartum women, the rate of dental caries was 69.3% and the rate of composite dental disease (caries and periodontal disease) was 76.7%. The majority (69.5%) of women examined had a decayed-missing-filled (DMF) index greater than or equal to one; the average DMF Index was 2.48. The majority of women had never seen a dentist (62.8%). However, most did perform oral hygiene, two or more times per day (90.2%); most women reported brushing with toothpaste (88.1%). Conclusion When assessing this population for dental caries and periodontal disease, the rate of dental disease was high. Therefore, this may be an ideal setting to test for impactful interventions aimed at reducing caries and periodontal disease.

Qualitative assessment of knowledge transfer regarding preterm birth in Malawi following the implementation of targeted health messages over 3 years.

BACKGROUND: In 2012, we performed a needs assessment and gap analysis to qualitatively assess providers' and patients' knowledge and perceptions regarding preterm birth (PTB). During the study, we identified knowledge gaps surrounding methods to reduce the risk of occurrence of PTB and management options if preterm labor/birth occur. We targeted health messages toward these gaps. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of our community health worker-based patient education program 3 years after it was implemented. METHODS: Fifteen focus groups including 70 participants were included in the study. The groups comprised either patients/patient couples or health providers. A minimum of two facilitators led each group using 22 a priori designed and standardized lead-in prompts for participants with four additional prompts for providers only. A single researcher recorded responses, and transcript notes were reviewed by the facilitators and interpreters immediately following each group discussion to ensure accuracy. RESULTS: The understanding of term vs preterm gestation was generally accurate. Every participant knew of women who had experienced PTB, and the general perception was that two to three women out of every ten had this experience. The majority of respondents thought that women should present to their local health clinic if they experience preterm contractions; few were aware of the use of antenatal steroids for promoting fetal lung maturity, but many acknowledged that the neonate may be able to receive life-sustaining treatment if born at a higher level of care facility. The majority of participants were aware that PTB could recur in subsequent pregnancies. All respondents were able to list ways that women could potentially reduce the risk of PTB. CONCLUSION: After employing targeted health messages, the majority of participants expressed improved understanding of the definition of PTB, methods to prevent risk of PTB, and management options for preterm labor or PTB.

Implementation of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Program to Reduce Maternal Mortality in Malawi.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate maternal mortality and changes in the culture of safety before and after the implementation of the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) Malawi program. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study at a central hospital and a district health center in Malawi from March 2016 to November 2017. The AIM Malawi program included classroom didactics on obstetric hemorrhage, teamwork protocols, skills laboratory activities, and simulation training. The time periods of comparison were preintervention, education period, and postintervention. Hospital birth paper records were used to collect data on patient demographics and obstetric and neonatal information. The Hospital Survey of Patient Safety was used to measure the culture of safety before and after the program. RESULTS: We trained 128 participants. In the postintervention period, 16 procedural interventions were performed to manage postpartum hemorrhage, including B-lynch sutures (n=7), condom balloon catheter (n=5), nonpneumatic antishock garment (n=3), and uterine artery ligation (n=1). There was a significant increase in the use of B-lynch sutures for the management of uterine atony in the postintervention compared with preintervention period (P=.014). In the postintervention period, the rate of maternal mortality from obstetric hemorrhage decreased significantly from 1.2% to 0.2% (P=.02), a relative decrease of 82.1% from the preintervention rate. Hospital safety culture scores improved significantly from baseline in four out of five domains after the AIM Malawi training. CONCLUSION: After implementation of the AIM Malawi program, we found an increased use of postpartum hemorrhage procedural interventions, a decreased rate of maternal mortality and an increase in Hospital Survey of Patient Safety composite safety scores. The AIM Malawi program may be an effective framework for adaptation to improve maternal mortality in a low-resource setting.

Qualitative assessment of attitudes and knowledge on preterm birth in Malawi and within country framework of care.

BACKGROUND: The overarching goal of this study was to qualitatively assess baseline knowledge and perceptions regarding preterm birth (PTB) and oral health in an at-risk, low resource setting surrounding Lilongwe, Malawi. The aims were to determine what is understood regarding normal length of gestation and how gestational age is estimated, to identify common language for preterm birth, and to assess what is understood as options for PTB management. As prior qualitative research had largely focused on patient or client-based focused groups, we primarily focused on groups comprised of community health workers (CHWs) and providers. METHODS: A qualitative study using focus-group discussions, incidence narrative, and informant interviews amongst voluntary participants. Six focus groups were comprised of CHWs, patient couples, midwives, and clinical officers (n = 33) at two rural health centers referring to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Semi-structured questions facilitated discussion of PTB and oral health (inclusive of periodontal disease), including definitions, perception, causation, management, and accepted interventions. RESULTS: Every participant knew of women who had experienced "a baby born too soon", or preterm birth. All participants recognized both an etiology conceptualization and disease framework for preterm birth, distinguished PTB from miscarriage and macerated stillbirth, and articulated a willingness to engage in studies aimed at prevention or management. Identified gaps included: (1) discordance in the definition of PTB (i.e., 28-34 weeks or less than the 8th month, but with a corresponding fetal weight ranging 500 to 2300 grams); (2) utility and regional availability of antenatal steroids for prevention of preterm infant morbidity and mortality; (3) need for antenatal referral for at-risk women, or with symptoms of preterm birth. There was no evident preference for route of progesterone for the prevention of recurrent PTB. CONCLUSIONS: Qualitative research was useful in (1) identifying gaps in knowledge in urban and rural Malawi, and (2) informing the development of educational materials and implementation of programs or trials ultimately aimed at reducing PTB. As a result of this qualitative work, implementation planning was focused on the gaps in knowledge, dissemination of knowledge (to both patients and providers), and practical solutions to barriers in known efficacious therapies.

Excluding pregnancy among women initiating antiretroviral therapy: efficacy of a family planning job aid.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for initiating ART recommend pregnancy testing, typically a urine test, as part of the basic laboratory package. The principal reason for this recommendation is that Efavirenz, a first-line antiretroviral medication, has the potential of causing birth defects when used in the first trimester of pregnancy and is therefore contraindicated for use by pregnant women. Unfortunately, in many African countries pregnancy tests are not routinely provided or available in ART clinics, and, when available outside clinics, are often not affordable for clients.Recently, the World Health Organization added a family planning job aid called the 'pregnancy checklist,' developed by researchers at Family Health International, as a recommended tool for screening new ART clients to exclude pregnancy. Although the checklist has been validated for excluding pregnancy among family planning clients, there are no data on its efficacy among ART clients.This study was conducted to assess the clinical performance of a job aid to exclude pregnancy among HIV positive women initiating ART. METHODS: Non-menstruating women eligible for ART were enrolled from 20 sites in four provinces in Zambia. The pregnancy checklist was administered followed by a urine pregnancy test as a reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were estimated. RESULTS: Of the 200 women for whom the checklist ruled out pregnancy, 198 were not pregnant, for an estimated negative predictive value of 99%. The sensitivity of the checklist was 90.0%, and specificity was 38.7%. Among the women, 416 out of 534 (77.9%) did not abstain from sex since their last menses. Only 72 out of the 534 women (13.4%) reported using reliable contraception. Among the 416 women who did not abstain, 376 (90.4%) did not use reliable contraception. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy checklist is effective for excluding pregnancy in many women initiating ART, but its moderate sensitivity and specificity precludes its use to completely replace pregnancy testing. Its use should be encouraged in low resource settings where pregnancy tests are unavailable or must be rationed. Family planning methods should be available and integrated into ART clinics.