Developing the Speaking Out and Allying Relationships Intervention on Videoconference for HIV-Positive GBMSM in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

In South Africa, HIV prevalence for gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men (GBMSM) is as high as 49.5%, yet only 25.7% are taking treatment, resulting in transmission risk between partners and the need for dyadic interventions for men in relationships. Through our preliminary research, we identified the evidence-based intervention Healthy Relationships (HR)-an HIV risk assessment and status disclosure intervention for those in relationships-to be tailored into videoconference format for partnered HIV-positive GBMSM in South Africa. The HR adaptation, called SOAR (Speaking Out & Allying Relationships), applied a human-centered design approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with HIV-positive GBMSM (N = 15) to refine intervention preferences with results used to establish a beta SOAR. A trained interventionist conducted SOAR functionality (n = 6) and usability (n = 7) tests with separate invited groups composed of the original participants interviewed. Field logs, focus group discussions, and a study-specific preference survey were administered. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were completed with a convergent analytical approach used to understand usability. Overall experience of GBMSM in SOAR was good (69%) or excellent (31%). More than half of the participants (61%) rated using videoconferencing for SOAR as good, with 38% rating it as fair. All participants stated that SOAR was understandable and satisfactory with willingness to recommend it to other GBMSM. This adaptation approach was effective, and the resultant SOAR intervention has the potential to improve individual coping and HIV communication skills with partners to engage with biomedical prevention and in turn support GBMSM couples.

A Single Question on Maternal HIV Status Can Improve Identification of Children Living With HIV in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Screening tools to improve identification of children living with HIV (CLHIV) have been validated and used in various settings. The aim of our study was to optimize a screening tool for Primary Healthcare Clinics (PHCs) in South Africa (SA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at PHCs in Johannesburg and Mopani Districts, between June 2021 and June 2022. Children 5-14 years of age with HIV negative or unknown status accompanied by their mothers, or appropriate caregivers, were enrolled. Demographic data, responses to the screening tool questions, and HIV test results were captured. Logistic regression modeling was used to optimize an existing 10-item screening tool, and sensitivity, specificity, and number needed to test (NNT) used to choose the final tool. RESULTS: We enrolled 14,147 children in the study, with 62 children testing HIV positive (HIV positivity of 0.4%). The 10-item tool with a single positive response had a sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 43.3%. An optimal combination of 5-items with two positive responses had the lowest NNT of 72, 82.3% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity. Maternal HIV status alone, HIV positive or unknown, had a 95.2% sensitivity, 65.0% specificity and NNT of 84. The 1-item tool only would have missed 5% of CLHIV (N = 3) compared with the 5-item tool that missed 18% (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS: A 1-item screening tool asking about maternal HIV status can improve efficiency of testing of children in primary healthcare facilities in SA and improve identification of CLHIV who are not on treatment.

Postnatal clubs for integrated postnatal care in Johannesburg, South Africa: a qualitative assessment of implementation.

BACKGROUND: South Africa has reported challenges in retaining women in Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programs postnatally. Due to the success of PMTCT in the antenatal period, proportionally more infant transmissions now occur after delivery. The Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) Postnatal Club (PNC) model allows for integrated postnatal care and support. Anova Health Institute implemented the model in primary health facilities in Johannesburg as part of a planned national scale-up. We aimed to assess the implementation of these PNCs. METHODS: We used the RE-AIM (Reach, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) framework to assess implementation success and explore factors influencing implementation. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 PNC staff, both clinicians and lay counsellors, using convenience sampling, from 12 facilities in Johannesburg. Data were analysed thematically using the RE-AIM framework. RESULTS: PNC were perceived to have many benefits for postnatal clients and their infants: providers reported reduced waiting times, reduced number of clinic visits and that PNC provided clients with a space to form cohesive group dynamics thereby contributing to retention and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. However, it was found that lacking resources (e.g., space, medical equipment, staff) negatively impacted reach, implementation and sustainability. At times the PNC model was altered to accommodate the availability of resources (e.g., counselling mothers individually). Additionally, providers expressed concerns about lack of stakeholder adoption and emphasized the importance of involving facility leadership for successful integration of the model into routine primary healthcare. CONCLUSION: Our study found incomplete implementation of PNC in most of the participating facilities attributed to lack of resources and stakeholder buy-in. This underscores the need for increased support at management level to ensure sustainability. Effective collaboration between all stakeholders would allow better use of existing resources. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether all components of the model need to be implemented fully to ensure optimal outcomes, and to identify implementation strategies to facilitate scale-up.

Outcomes of a Telephonic Postnatal Intervention for Mothers and Babies in Mopani District, Limpopo, South Africa.

Background: The postnatal period is a critical period for the health of both mother and infant. Studies show that postnatal care reduces neonatal mortality and other adverse mother and child health outcomes. While the World Health Organization recommends four postnatal care contacts, South African guidelines only specify three, excluding a 7-14-day post-birth contact. This study aimed to assess whether a telephonic contact at 7-14 days following delivery had any effect on use of additional postnatal services. Methods: A randomized controlled trial design was used to address the study objectives. Two groups of new mothers were randomly allocated to either receive the 7-14-day telephonic contact or not from a research nurse. Data for this study was collected at Maphutha L Malatjie Hospital (MLMH). Descriptive analysis was performed first, then a multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the factors associated with access to other health care services. Results: A total of 882 mothers were recruited, 854 (97%) were classified as high risk, 28 (3%) were classified as low risk. 417 (49%) of the high risk received the 7-14-day call (intervention group) whilst the remainder of 437 (51%) from the high risk plus all mothers classified as low risk (28) did not receive the call (control group). 686 (78%) of all mothers received the 3 month follow up call. The call showed that 17 mothers from the control group and 10 mothers from the intervention group accessed other healthcare services. We find that hypertension (3.28; 1.06 -10.10), mental health risk (2.82; 1.25 -6.38), PV bleeding during pregnancy (18.33; 1.79-187.61), problem during labor (4.40; 1.280-15.13) were positively associated with access to other health services, with statistically significant associations (p-value < 0.05). We found statistically insignificant associations between receiving the 7-14-day call and accessing other health care services. Conclusion: The 7-14-day call had no statistically significant impact on access to other health services, however, high levels of satisfaction with the call may point to an unmet need for care at this time. It is important to investigate other innovative solutions to postnatal care improvement in South Africa.

Exploring healthcare workers' experiences of managing patients returning to HIV care in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Retention of patients in HIV care is a critical barrier to reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goals in South Africa. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute launched a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted antiretroviral therapy to return to care. The Welcome Back campaign included training of health care workers and implementation of Médecins Sans Frontiers Welcome Services principles. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of healthcare workers managing patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy following training, including barriers and facilitators to implementation. METHODS: Data were collected from six clinics. This study consisted of three components: 1) surveys; 2) semi-structured interviews and 3) reflexive feedback sessions. Each component covered staff attitudes and facility management of patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy. A descriptive analysis was conducted of survey responses. A thematic approach was used to analyze interviews. RESULTS: Thirty-six healthcare workers completed the survey and interview. Following analysis, feedback sessions were conducted with 99 healthcare workers. Twenty-two (61%) participants were lay counsellors. The majority of healthcare workers reported managing patients returning to care appropriately. However, barriers persisted: 9 (25%) responded that patients were sent to the back of the queue and that service providers continued to insist on transfer letters. Twenty-five (69%) responded they had seen/heard other healthcare workers act poorly towards returning patients after training. Many poor behaviours from healthcare workers stemmed from frustration with the clinical flow and their overburdened work environment. Many participants (78%) believed that the Welcome Back approach helped improve client-provider relationships. CONCLUSIONS: The Welcome Back approach supported healthcare workers to improve service provision for patients reinitiating antiretroviral therapy. Further support is needed to help providers consistently deliver services in line with the Welcome Back approach. Institutional level changes are required to implement patient-centred and trust-based models of care.

Supporting retention in HIV care through a holistic, patient-centred approach: a qualitative evaluation.

BACKGROUND: HIV is a complex disease which affects different facets (social, economic, physical, emotional and spiral) of an individual's life, making the goals of retention in care and adherence to treatment difficult to achieve. Holistic patient-centred approaches to providing care for people living with HIV bind together economic, social, emotional and physiological aspects and have the potential to improve retention in care and ART adherence. Case management is a holistic, patient-centred approach which is increasingly being implemented in the management of chronic illnesses. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with key informants (retention officers and social auxiliary workers) and patients. A total of 60 patients and 17 KIs (11 retention officers and 6 social auxiliary workers) participated in the study. The study was conducted in Johannesburg District, Gauteng province, South Africa. Key informants (KIs) and patients were drawn from 8 health facilities located in four management clusters of the district. RESULTS: The findings identified facilitators and barriers to adherence and retention in care, and demonstrated that case management offered holistic, patient-centred services which patients considered to be beneficial to their well-being and helped them overcome some of these barriers. The success of case management was driven by its holistic and patient-centred approach, which extended the focus to patients' non-clinical needs which impact on their quality of life. Complex interacting barriers and facilitators at different levels influenced implementation of the model and its outcomes. CONCLUSION: Holistic approaches such as case management have a strong potential to improve retention in care and adherence to ART. HIV is a complex disease which impacts different facets of an individual's life, hence requires holistic care to address all facets. Health systems need to transition towards holistic care to ensure that some patients do not slip through the cracks, improve patient outcomes and efficiency.

Risk profile of postnatal women and their babies attending a rural district hospital in South Africa.

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality remain unacceptably high and inequitably distributed in South Africa, with the postnatal period being a dangerous time for both mother and baby. The aim of this paper is to describe the risk factors for poor postnatal outcomes, including postnatal mental health disorders, in a population of postnatal women and their babies utilising rural district hospital services in Limpopo Province, with a focus on HIV. We also describe health care provider compliance with relevant guidelines. Methods: All women discharged from the postnatal ward of the district hospital who consented to participate were enrolled. A research nurse used a structured questionnaire to collect data about sociodemographic information, pregnancy and pre-existing conditions, complications during labour and birth, pregnancy outcomes and mental health risk factors. Results: The questionnaire was completed for 882 women at the time of discharge. Only 354 (40.2%) of participants had completed secondary education, and 105 (11.9%) reported formal employment. Chronic hypertension was recorded in 20 women (2.3%), with an additional 49 (5.6%) developing a hypertensive disorder during pregnancy. HIV prevalence was 22.8%. 216 women (24.5%) had a mental health risk factor, with 40 reporting more than one (4.5%). Having no income, no antenatal care, having HIV and any hypertensive disorder were significantly associated with a positive mental health risk screen in multivariable analysis. There were 31 stillbirths and early neonatal deaths (3.5%), and 119 babies (13.4%) were born at a low birth weight. Stillbirth or early neonatal death was significantly associated with no antenatal care in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: Women and babies in this study experienced multiple risk factors for poor outcomes in the postpartum period. Postnatal care should be strengthened in order to address the dominant risks to mothers and babies, including socioeconomic challenges, HIV and hypertension, and risks to mental health. Tools to identify mothers and babies at risk of postnatal complications would allow limited resources to be allocated where they are most needed.

Why do patients interrupt and return to antiretroviral therapy? Retention in HIV care from the patient's perspective in Johannesburg, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Retention in care is required for optimal clinical outcomes in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although most PLHIV in South Africa know their HIV status, only 70% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Improved retention in care is needed to get closer to sustained ART for all. In January 2019, Anova Health Institute conducted a campaign to encourage patients who had interrupted ART to return to care. METHODS: Data collection was conducted in one region of Johannesburg. This mixed methods study consisted of two components: 1) healthcare providers entered data into a structured tool for all patients re-initiating ART at nine clinics over a nine-month period, 2) Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-set of patients. Responses to the tool were analysed descriptively, we report frequencies, and percentages. A thematic approach was used to analyse participant experiences in-depth. RESULTS: 562 people re-initiated ART, 66% were women, 75% were 25-49 years old. The three most common reasons for disengagement from care were mobility (30%), ART related factors (15%), and time limitations due to work (10%). Reasons for returning included it becoming easier to attend the clinic (34%) and worry about not being on ART (19%). Mobile interview participants often forgot their medical files and expressed that managing their ART was difficult because they often needed a transfer letter to gain access to ART at another facility. On the other hand, clinics that had flexible and extended hours facilitated retention in care. CONCLUSION: In both the quantitative data, and the qualitative analysis, changing life circumstances was the most prominent reason for disengagement from care. Health services were not perceived to be responsive to life changes or mobility, leading to disengagement. More client-centred and responsive health services should improve retention on ART.

Indicator-focussed technical assistance in South Africa's HIV programme: A stepped-wedge evaluation.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of research on technical assistance (TA) interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Variation in local contexts requires tailor-made approaches to TA that are structured and replicable across intervention sites whilst retaining the flexibility to adapt to local contexts. We developed a systematic process of TA using multidisciplinary roving teams to provide support across the various elements comprising local HIV services. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of targeting specific HIV and TB programme indicators for improvement using roving teams. METHOD: We conducted a cluster-randomised stepped-wedge evaluation of a TA support package focussing on clinical, managerial and pharmacy services in the Mopani district of the Limpopo province, South Africa (SA). Three roving teams delivered the intervention. Seventeen primary and community healthcare centres that had 400-600 patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were selected for inclusion. The TA package was implemented for six consecutive months across facilities until all had received the same level of support. Data were collected from the relevant health management information systems for 11 routine indicators. RESULTS: The mean proportion of PLWH screened for tuberculosis (TB) at ART initiation increased from 85.2% to 87.2% (P = 0.65). Rates of retention in care improved, with the mean proportion of patients retained in care at three months post-ART initiation increasing from 79.9% to 87.4% (P < 0.001) and from 70.3% to 77.7% (P < 0.01) after six months. Finally, the mean proportion of patients with TB who completed their treatment increased from 80.6% to 82.1% (P = 0.75). CONCLUSION: Tailored TA interventions in SA using a standardised structure and process led to a significant improvement in retention-in-care rates and to non-significant improvements in the proportion of PLWH screened for TB and of those who completed their treatment.

High rate of loss to follow-up and virological non-suppression in HIV-infected children on antiretroviral therapy highlights the need to improve quality of care in South Africa.

Provision of high-quality care and ensuring retention of children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are essential to reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated morbidity and mortality. Virological non-suppression (≥1000 viral copies/ml) is an indication of suboptimal HIV care and support. This retrospective cohort study included ART-naïve children who initiated first-line ART between July 2015 and August 2017 in Johannesburg and rural Mopani district. Of 2739 children started on ART, 29.5% (807/2739) were lost to care at the point of analysis in August 2018. Among retained children, overall virological non-suppression was 30.2% (469/1554). Virological non-suppression was associated with higher loss to care 30.3% (229/755) compared with suppressed children (9.7%, 136/1399, P < 0.001). Receiving treatment in Mopani was associated with virological non-suppression in children under 5 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.4), 5-9 years (aOR 1.8 (1.1-3.0)) and 10-14 years (aOR 1.9 (1.2-2.8)). Virological non-suppression was associated with lower CD4 count in children 5-9 years (aOR 2.1 (1.1-4.1)) and 10-14 years (aOR 2.1 (1.2-3.8)). Additional factors included a shorter time on ART (<5 years aOR 1.8-3.7 (1.3-8.2)), and male gender (5-9 years, aOR1.5 (1.01-2.3)), and receiving cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (10-14 years aOR 2.0 (1.2-3.6)). In conclusion, virological non-suppression is a factor of subsequent programme loss in both regions, and factors affecting the quality of care need to be addressed to achieve the third UNAIDS 90 in paediatric HIV.

Building self-advocacy in HIV care: the use of role-play to examine healthcare access for HIV-positive MSM in rural South Africa.

There is high HIV prevalence and low rates of viral suppression for men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa, with few MSM-centered interventions to address these outcomes along the HIV treatment cascade. Participatory interventions may support community building among HIV-positive MSM through which they can share approaches of self-advocacy that are contextually grounded. We conducted a pilot study to assess the use of role-plays in influencing social isolation while also updating our understanding of MSM healthcare experiences in Mpumalanga, South Africa. The study was conducted with 21 MSM leaders who were HIV-positive. There were three groups of seven participants each who created and performed role-plays based on their healthcare experiences, with a focus group discussion (FGD) conducted afterward. Audio-recordings were transcribed, translated, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. We found that MSM described role-play as cathartic and a future HIV care educational tool for other MSM, and that they outlined points of self-advocacy during HIV care in clinics. Our study suggests that future research should utilize role-play so to integrate contextual factors influencing HIV treatment, especially in high HIV prevalence settings.

Implementation of a PMTCT programme in a high HIV prevalence setting in Johannesburg, South Africa: 2002-2015.

BACKGROUND: Great strides have been made in decreasing paediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In South Africa, new paediatric HIV infections decreased by 84% between 2009 and 2015. This achievement is a result of a strong political will and the rapid evolution of the country's prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) guidelines. OBJECTIVES: In this paper we report on the implementation of a large PMTCT programme in Soweto, South Africa. METHODS: We reviewed routinely collected PMTCT data from 13 healthcare facilities, for the period 2002-2015. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) and the mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate at early infant diagnosis were evaluated. RESULTS: In total, 360 751 pregnant women attended the facilities during the review period, and the HIV prevalence remained high throughout at around 30%. The proportion of PWLHIV presenting with a known HIV status increased from 14.3% in 2009 when the indicator was first collected to 45% in 2015, p < 0.001. In 2006, less than 10% of the PWLHIV were initiated on ART, increasing to 88% by 2011. The MTCT rate decreased from 6.9% in 2007 to under 1% from 2013 to 2015, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The achievements in decreasing paediatric HIV infections have been hailed as one of the greatest public health achievements of our times. While there are inherent limitations with using routinely collected aggregate data, the Soweto data reflect progress made in the implementation of PMTCT programmes in South Africa. Progress with PMTCT has, however, not been accompanied by a decline in HIV prevalence among pregnant women.

Same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation for HIV-infected adults in South Africa: Analysis of routine data.

Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been recommended to improve ART programme outcomes in South Africa since August 2017. This study assessed implementation of SDI over time in two South African districts, describing the characteristics of same-day initiators and evaluating the impact of SDI on retention in ART care. Routine data were analysed for HIV-infected adults who were newly initiating ART in Johannesburg or Mopani Districts between October 2017 and June 2018. Characteristics of same-day ART initiators were compared to later initiators, and losses to follow-up (LTFU) to six months were assessed using Kaplan Meier survival analysis and multivariate logistic regression. The dataset comprised 32 290 records (29 964 from Johannesburg and 2 326 from Mopani). The overall rate of SDI was 40.4% (n = 13 038), increasing from 30.3% in October 2017 to 54.2% in June 2018. Same-day ART initiators were younger, more likely to be female and presented with less advanced clinical disease than those initiating treatment at later times following diagnosis (p<0.001 for all). SDI was associated with disengagement from care: LTFU was 30.1% in the SDI group compared to 22.4%, 19.8% and 21.9% among clients initiating ART 1-7 days, 8-21 days and ≥22 days after HIV diagnosis, respectively (p<0.001). LTFU was significantly more likely among clients in Johannesburg versus Mopani (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.43, p<0.001) and among same-day versus later initiators (aOR = 1.45, p<0.001), while increasing age reduced LTFU (aOR = 0.97, p<0.001). In conclusion, SDI has increased over time as per national guidelines, but there is serious concern regarding the reduced rate of retention among same-day initiators. Nevertheless, SDI may result in a net programmatic benefit provided that interventions are implemented to support client readiness for treatment and ongoing engagement in ART care, particularly among younger adults in large ART programmes such as Johannesburg.

CD4 testing after initiation of antiretroviral therapy: Analysis of routine data from the South African HIV programme.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV (PLHIV) who have low CD4 counts require advanced clinical care (ACC) to minimise morbidity and mortality risk. These patients include immunological non-responders (INRs) with low CD4 counts despite a suppressed viral load. OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of patients with low CD4 counts after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation and to describe INRs within that group. METHODS: Routine Three Interlinked Electronic Registers.Net (TIER.Net) data from four South African districts were analysed for adult PLHIV on ART > 12 months. Immunological non-responders were defined as patients on ART > 4 years who were virally suppressed (viral load < 1000 copies/mL) with a CD4 count ≤ 350 cell/mm3. RESULTS: Baseline CD4 was recorded for 80.9% of the 869 571 patients newly initiating ART, with 37.2% of those starting ART since 2017 having baseline counts ≤ 200 cells/mm3. Amongst all 1 178 190 patients on ART, only 46.5% had a CD4 test after ART initiation and of these, 14.3% had CD4 ≤ 200 cells/mm3. This proportion was highest amongst patients on ART ≤ 2 years (19.7%) (p < 0.001). Amongst virally suppressed patients, 20.0% were INRs. Immunological non-response was significantly more likely amongst patients on second-line ART (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.79), those aged 35-45 and ≥ 45 years (aOR 1.15 and 1.50, respectively), males (aOR 2.28) and patients with confirmed TB (aOR 2.49), and was significantly less likely in cases with higher baseline CD4 count (aOR 0.35). CONCLUSION: CD4 testing subsequent to ART initiation is poorly implemented and there is a notable proportion of patients with low CD4 counts. Guidelines regarding CD4 testing and ACC need to be more widely implemented to identify patients with low CD4 counts and improve their outcomes.

Contextual factors affecting the integration of community health workers into the health system in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Community health workers (CHWs) are an essential cadre in the health systems of many low- and middle-income countries. These workers provide a wide variety of services and are key to ongoing processes of task shifting within human immunodeficiency virus programmes in particular. Ward-based outreach teams (WBOTs) are South Africa's latest iteration of the CHW programme and have been introduced as part of the National Department of Health's Primary Health Care Re-engineering programme. METHODS: In order to assess the perceived effectiveness of the WBOTs in supporting the ongoing rollout of antiretroviral therapy, tuberculosis care and patient support, we conducted a qualitative investigation focusing on the perceived successes and challenges of the programme among CHWs, community leaders, healthcare workers and community members in the Mopani district, Limpopo province, South Africa. RESULTS: The CHW programme operates across these contexts, each associated with its own set of challenges and opportunities. CONCLUSIONS: While these challenges may be interrelated, a contextual analysis provides a useful means of understanding the programme's implementation as part of ongoing decision-making processes.

The role of health and advocacy organisations in assisting female sex workers to gain access to health care in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Globally, female sex workers (FSWs) are considered a key population group due to the high HIV prevalence. Studies show that there are various factors in some contexts that render FSWs marginalised, which limits their access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. Access to SRH services are particularly challenging in countries where sex work is criminalised such as is the case in South Africa. Evidently, there are alternative ways in which FSWs in this context receive non-stigmatising SRH care through non-governmental organisations. The aim of this study was to understand the functioning of these non-governmental health care services as well as to document the experiences of FSWs utilising these services. METHODS: Eleven focus group discussions were held with 91 FSWs. In addition, 21 in-depth individual interviews with researchers, stakeholders and FSWs were conducted. Interview guides were utilised for data collection. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data were analysed thematically. RESULTS: The FSWs expressed challenges related to SRH care access at public health facilities. The majority felt that they could not consult for SRH-related services because of stigma. The non-governmental health and advocacy organisations providing SRH services to FSWs through their mobile facilities utilising the peer approach, have done so in a way that promotes trust between FSWs and mobile health care providers. FSWs have access to tailored services, prevention materials as well as health information. This has resulted in the normalising of HIV testing as well as SRH seeking behaviours. CONCLUSION: This study has established that health and advocacy organisations have attempted to fill the gap in responding to SRH care needs of FSWs amidst intersecting vulnerabilities. FSWs' engagement with these organisations has encouraged their willingness to test for HIV. However, it is important to note that these organisations operate in urban areas, thus FSWs operating outside these areas are most likely exposed to compounding health risks and lack access to tailored services.

'My Tablets are on Top of the Fridge': The Roles of Relationship Desire and Medical Mistrust in ART Adherence for HIV-Positive MSM and Transgender Women Living in Rural South Africa.

Given the high HIV prevalence for men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women in South Africa, there is limited understanding of social determinants that influence antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence. Although universal testing and treatment (UTT) is available, ART adherence remains suboptimal. We conducted focus groups with MSM and transgender women in order to understand factors influencing their ART adherence in Mpumalanga, South Africa. All focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and translated for analysis using a constant comparison approach, guided by the concept of Therapeutic Citizenship. We found there is medical mistrust of ART based on differing interpretations of HIV cure that may influence treatment adherence behaviors within social networks, and relationship desire had a significant influence on optimal ART adherence. Our findings suggest that clinics must provide interventions that integrate HIV disclosure and relationship skill-building to support optimal ART adherence for MSM and transgender women under UTT.

Baseline CD4 and mortality trends in the South African human immunodeficiency virus programme: Analysis of routine data.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa, there remains a considerable burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: To describe ART initiation and outcome trends over time, with a focus on clients presenting with advanced HIV-infection, so as to identify interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Routine TIER.Net data from HIV-infected adults who had a documented baseline CD4 count and were newly initiating ART in Johannesburg or Mopani districts from 2004 to 2017 were analysed. Trends in baseline CD4 count and 5-year mortality were investigated and the population initiating ART with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 was described. RESULTS: The Johannesburg and Mopani data sets comprised 203 131 and 101 814 records, respectively. Although median CD4 count increased over time, the proportion of initiations at CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 in 2017 remained high (Johannesburg 39%, Mopani 35%). Mortality was significantly increased among clients with CD4 < 200 compared to those with higher baseline counts (p < 0.001). Even though mortality among clients with low CD4 declined over time, likely because of improved drug regimens, in 2016-2017 mortality was still significantly increased among these clients (p < 0.001). Delivery of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis to clients with low CD4 declined over time to < 30% in 2017 and was associated with clinical stage. Presentation with CD4 < 200 cells/mm3 was associated with older age, male gender and hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: A concerningly large proportion of South Africans still initiate ART at low CD4 counts. This is associated with increased mortality and requires targeted interventions to improve delivery of prophylactic regimens and early engagement in care.

High Rate of Repeat Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in South Africa: A Prospective Cohort Study.

We observed a high rate of incident sexually transmitted diseases within 55 days (median) of follow-up (78% retention) among symptomatic men who have sex with men (n = 78) in South Africa (188 per 100 person-years; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.7); 16 newly acquired and 10 with persistent positivity. This highlights the need to strengthen prevention efforts, whereas introduction of diagnostics is urgently warranted.