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INTRODUCTION: Optimizing uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for individuals at risk of HIV acquisition has been challenging despite clear scientific evidence and normative guidelines, particularly for key populations (KPs) such as men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), transgender (TG) people and persons who inject drugs (PWID). Applying an iterative Programme Science cycle, building on the effective programme coverage framework, we describe the approach used by the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) to scale up PrEP delivery and address inequities in PrEP access for KP in Lusaka, Zambia. METHODS: In 2019, CIDRZ partnered with 10 local KP civil society organizations (CSOs) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) to offer HIV services within KP-designated community safe spaces. KP CSO partners led KP mobilization, managed safe spaces and delivered peer support; MOH organized clinicians and clinical commodities; and CIDRZ provided technical oversight. In December 2021, we introduced a community-based intervention focused on PrEP delivery in venues where KP socialize. We collected routine programme data from September 2019 to June 2023 using programme-specific tools and the national electronic health record. We estimated the before-after effects of our intervention on PrEP uptake, continuation and equity for KP using descriptive statistics and interrupted time series regression, and used mixed-effects regression to estimate marginal probabilities of PrEP continuity. RESULTS: Most (25,658) of the 38,307 (67.0%) Key Population Investment Fund beneficiaries were reached with HIV prevention services at community-based venues. In total, 23,527 (61.4%) received HIV testing services, with 15,508 (65.9%) testing HIV negative and found PrEP eligible, and 15,241 (98.3%) initiating PrEP. Across all programme quarters and KP types, PrEP uptake was >90%. After introducing venue-based PrEP delivery, PrEP uptake (98.7% after vs. 96.5% before, p < 0.001) and the number of initiations (p = 0.014) increased significantly. The proportion of KP with ≥1 PrEP continuation visit within 6 months of initiation was unchanged post-intervention (46.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.7%, 47.6%) versus pre-intervention (47.2%, 95% CI: 45.4%, 49.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Applying Programme Science principles, we demonstrate how decentralizing HIV prevention services to KP venues and safe spaces in partnership with KP CSOs enabled successful community-based PrEP delivery beyond the reach of traditional facility-based services.
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Infecciones por VIH , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición , Humanos , Zambia , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Profilaxis Pre-Exposición/métodos , Masculino , Femenino , Adulto , Fármacos Anti-VIH/uso terapéutico , Fármacos Anti-VIH/administración & dosificación , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Programme Science (PS) and community-led monitoring (CLM) intersect in unexpected and promising ways. This commentary examines a CLM initiative in Malawi and South Africa to highlight the crucial role of CLM in bolstering the PS framework. By leveraging data sources often overlooked by conventional research and evaluation approaches, CLM emerges as a pivotal element in enhancing programme effectiveness. This paper delineates the fundamental principles of CLM, presents programme outcomes derived from CLM methodologies and contextualizes these findings within the broader framework of PS. DISCUSSION: The Citizen Science Project implements CLM continuously at 33 health facilities: 14 in Malawi (eight in Kasungu District and six in Dedza District), and 19 in South Africa (all in the West Rand District), representing a total catchment area of 989,848 people. Monitoring indicators are developed in an iterative process with community groups. The indicators are unique to each country, but both focus on the uptake of health services (quantitative) and barriers to access (qualitative). Monthly clinic records surveys capture 34 indicators in Malawi and 20 in South Africa and are supplemented by qualitative interviews with care recipients and healthcare workers. Qualitative interviews provide additional granularity and help confirm and explain the more macro trends in service coverage as described in quantitative data. The resulting data analysis reveals key themes that help stakeholders and decision-makers to solve problems collaboratively. Noteworthy outcomes include a substantial increase in multi-month dispensing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) during COVID-19 (from 6% to 31%) with a subsequent recovery surpassing of HIV service benchmarks in Malawi post-pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: While quantifying direct impact remains challenging due to the project's design, CLM proves to be a robust methodology that generates credible data and produces impactful outcomes. Its potential extends beyond the health sector, empowering community leadership and fostering interventions aligned with community needs. As CLM continues to evolve, its integration into PS promises to improve relevance, quality and impact across diverse disciplines.
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Ciencia Ciudadana , Infecciones por VIH , Malaui , Sudáfrica , Humanos , Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Ciencia Ciudadana/métodos , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , COVID-19/epidemiología , Participación de la Comunidad , Femenino , MasculinoRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: We used a Programme Science platform, to generate evidence to support the implementation of programmes for sex workers in Africa. Female sex workers are estimated to make up 1.6% (1.3%-1.8%) of the population of women aged 15-49 years in Zimbabwe. We highlight how programme science can be used to help distinguish between when, where and with whom programmes need to be implemented and discuss two case studies that exemplify implementing better (Case study 1 (1 June 2019-30 June 2021) Optimizing implementation of a risk differentiated microplanning intervention) and implementing differently (Case study 2 (1 October 2016-30 September 2022) Reorientating implementation of DREAMS for young women selling sex). METHODS: Zimbabwe's nationally scaled programme for sex workers was established in 2009 in partnership with sex workers to provide comprehensive services for sex workers and generate evidence for programme design, implementation and scale up. Since inception, comprehensive data have been collected from all sex workers seeking services. As the scope of service provision has expanded so has the scope of data collection and analysis. At enrolment, sex workers are assigned an alphanumeric unique identifier which links consultations within and across programme sites. We conduct descriptive analyses of the Key Population (KP) programme data to guide programme implementation and redesign, embedding programmatic qualitative enquiry as required. RESULTS: Two case studies describing different approaches to programme optimization are presented. In the first, an optimization exercise was used to strengthen programme implementation ensuring that the KP programme got back on track after SARS-COV-2. In the second, an in-depth review of research and programme data led to a re-orientation of the DREAMS programme to ensure that young women at the highest risk of HIV acquisition were enrolled and had access to DREAMS social support interventions in turn strengthening their uptake of HIV prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing and sustaining HIV care and treatment programmes requires effective delivery with sufficient scale and intensity for population impact. Our programme science approach guided the scale up of the KP programme in Zimbabwe, providing evidence to support strategy, implementation and ongoing management, and importantly helping us distinguish between when we needed to just implement, implement better or implement differently.
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Infecciones por VIH , Trabajadores Sexuales , Humanos , Zimbabwe/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Infecciones por VIH/transmisión , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Femenino , Adolescente , Adulto Joven , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Trabajo Sexual/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: "Programme science" deploys scientific methods to address questions that are a priority to support the impact of public health programmes. As such, programme science responds to the challenges of making such studies: (1) feasible to undertake, (2) useful, (3) rigorous, (4) real-world-relevant, (5) informative, and undertaken by (6) equitable partnerships. The acronym "FURRIE" is proposed to describe this set of six challenges. This paper discusses selected HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) programme science case studies to illustrate how programme science rises to the FURRIE challenges. DISCUSSION: One way in which programme science is made more feasible is through the analysis and interpretation of data collected through service delivery. For some questions, these data can be augmented through methods that reach potential clients of services who have not accessed services or been lost to follow-up. Process evaluation can enhance the usefulness of programme science by studying implementation processes, programme-client interactions and contextual factors. Ensuring rigour by limiting bias and confounding in the real-world context of programme science studies requires methodological innovation. Striving for scientific rigour can also have the unintended consequence of creating a gap between what happens in a study, and what happens in the "real-world." Community-led monitoring is one approach to grounding data collection in the real-world experience of clients. Evaluating complex, context-specific strategies to strengthen health outcomes in a way that is informative for other settings requires clear specification of the intervention packages that are planned and delivered in practice. Programme science provides a model for equitable partnership through co-leadership between programmes, researchers and the communities they serve. CONCLUSIONS: Programme science addresses the FURRIE challenges, thereby improving programme impact and ultimately health outcomes and health equity. The adoption and adaptation of the types of novel programme science approaches showcased here should be promoted within and beyond the HIV/STI field.
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Infecciones por VIH , Humanos , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud/métodosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Health challenges in the 21st century underscore the need for adaptable and innovative approaches in public health. Academic institutions can and should contribute much more effectively to generate and translate scientific knowledge that will result in better programmes to improve societal health. Academic accountability to local communities and society requires universities to actively engage with local communities, understanding the context, their needs, and leveraging their knowledge and local experience. The Programme Science initiative provides a framework to optimize the scale, quality and impact of public health programmes, by integrating diverse approaches during the iterative cycle of research and practice within the strategic planning, programme implementation and programme management and evaluation. We illustrate how the Programme Science framework could be a useful tool for academic institutions to accomplish accountability to local communities and society through the experience of Project HOPE in Peru. DISCUSSION: Project HOPE applied the Programme Science framework to introduce HPV self-sampling into a women's health programme in Peru. Collaboration with local authorities and community members was pivotal in all phases of the project, ensuring interventions aligned with community needs and addressing social determinants of health. The HOPE Ladies-community women trained and empowered to promote and provide the HPV kits-crafted the messages used through the study and developed strategies to reach individuals and provided support to women's journey through health centres. By engaging communities in co-creating knowledge and addressing health inequities, academic institutions can generate contextually relevant and socially just scientific knowledge. The active participation of community women in Project HOPE was instrumental in improving service utilization and addressing barriers to self-sampling. CONCLUSIONS: The Programme Science approach offers a pathway for academic institutions to enhance their accountability to communities and society at large. By embedding researchers within public health programmes and prioritizing community engagement, academic institutions can ensure that research findings directly inform policy improvements and programmatic decisions. However, achieving this requires a realignment of research agendas and recognition of the value of community engagement. Establishing Programme Science networks involving academia, government and funding entities can further reinforce academic accountability and enhance the impact of public health programmes.
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Infecciones por Papillomavirus , Humanos , Perú , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/diagnóstico , Infecciones por Papillomavirus/prevención & control , Femenino , Manejo de Especímenes/métodos , Responsabilidad Social , UniversidadesRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: In 2013, Kenya's National AIDS and STI Control Programme established a Learning Site (LS) in Mombasa County to support and strengthen capacity for HIV prevention programming within organisations working with sex workers. A defining feature of LS was the use of a Programme Science approach throughout its development and implementation. We provide an overview of the key components of LS, present findings from 23 months of programme monitoring data, and highlight key Programme Science lessons from its implementation and monitoring. METHODS: Routine monitoring data collected from September 2013 through July 2015 are presented. Individual-level service utilisation data were collected monthly and indicators of interest were analysed over time to illustrate trends in enrolment, programme coverage and service utilisation among sex workers in Mombasa County. RESULTS: Over the monitoring period, outreach programme enrolment occurred rapidly; condom distribution targets were met consistently; rates of STI screening remained high and diagnoses declined; and reporting of and response to violent incidents increased. At the same time, enrolment in LS clinics was relatively low among female sex workers, and HIV testing at LS was low among both female and male sex workers. CONCLUSION: Lessons learnt from operationalising the Programme Science framework through the Mombasa LS can inform the development and implementation of similar LS in different geographical and epidemiological contexts. Importantly, meaningful involvement of sex workers in the design, implementation and monitoring processes ensures that overall programme performance is optimised in the context of local, 'on-the-ground' realities. Additionally, learnings from LS highlight the importance of introducing enhanced monitoring and evaluations systems into complex programmes to better understand and explain programme dynamics over time.
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Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/prevención & control , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Aprendizaje , Trabajadores Sexuales/educación , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida/epidemiología , Condones/provisión & distribución , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Humanos , Kenia/epidemiología , Lubricantes/provisión & distribución , Masculino , Trabajo Sexual , Trabajadores Sexuales/psicologíaRESUMEN
To examine approaches being used to evaluate and improve quality of HIV clinical services we searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Library collection, EMBASE, Global Health, and Web of Science databases for articles and abstracts focused on evaluating or improving quality of HIV clinical services. We extracted country income level, targeted clinical services, and quality evaluation approaches, data sources, and criteria. Fifty journal articles and 46 meeting abstracts were included. Of the 96 studies reviewed, 65% were programme evaluations, 71% focused on low- and middle-income countries, and 65% focused on antiretroviral therapy services. With regard to quality, 45% used a quality improvement model or programme, 13% set a quality threshold, and 51% examined patient records to evaluate quality. No studies provided a definition for quality HIV care. Quality assurance and improvement of HIV clinical services is increasingly important. This review highlights gaps in knowledge for future research, and may also help countries and programmes develop their HIV care quality improvement frameworks.
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Infecciones por VIH/tratamiento farmacológico , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Garantía de la Calidad de Atención de Salud , Mejoramiento de la Calidad , HumanosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The term 'source of HIV infections' has been referred to as the source of HIV transmission. It has also been interpreted as the distribution of newly acquired HIV infections across subgroups. We illustrate the importance of distinguishing the two interpretations for HIV prevention planning. METHODS: We used a dynamical model of heterosexual HIV transmission to simulate three HIV epidemics, and estimated the sources of HIV transmission (cumulative population attributable fraction) and the single-year distribution of new HIV infections. We focused an intervention guided by the largest transmission source versus the largest single-year distribution of new HIV infections, and compared the fraction of discounted HIV infections averted over 30 years. RESULTS: The single-year distribution of newly acquired HIV infections underestimated the source of HIV transmission in the long term, when the source was unprotected sex in high-risk groups. Under equivalent and finite resources, an intervention strategy directed by the long-term transmission source was shown to achieve a greater impact than a distribution-directed strategy, particularly in the long term. CONCLUSIONS: Impact of HIV prevention strategies may vary depending on whether they are directed by the long-term transmission source or by the distribution of new HIV infections. Caution is required when interpreting the 'source of HIV infections' to avoid misusing the distribution of new HIV infections in HIV prevention planning.
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Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Infecciones por VIH/transmisión , Modelos Teóricos , Epidemias , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Heterosexualidad , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMEN
The primary objectives of this study were to assess the changing demographic characteristics of female sex workers (FSWs) in the urban Bangalore district, India, and trends in programme coverage, HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevalence rates and condom use. Cross-sectional, integrated behavioural and biological assessments of FSWs were conducted in 2006, 2009 and 2011. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to describe trends over time. The results indicate the mean age of initiation into sex work has increased (26.9 years in 2006 vs 27.6 years in 2011, p<0.01), a higher proportion of FSWs reported being in 'stable' relationships in 2011 (70.2% vs 43.2% in 2006, p<0.01) and having conducted sex work outside the district in the past 6 months (10.0% in 2011 vs 16.0% in 2006 p=0.01). There was an increase in the proportion of FSWs using cellphones to solicit clients (4.4% in 2006 vs 57.5% in 2011, p<0.01) and their homes for sex work (61.4% in 2006 vs 77.8% in 2011, p<0.01). Reactive syphilis prevalence declined (12.6% in 2006 to 4% in 2011, p=0.02), as did high-titre syphilis prevalence (9.5% in 2006 to 2.5% in 2011, p=0.01). HIV prevalence declined but not significantly (12.7% in 2006 and 9.3% in 2011, p=0.39). Condom use remained above 90% increasing significantly among repeat (paying) clients (66.6% in 2006 to 93.6% in 2011, p<0.01). However, condom use remained low with non-paying partners when compared with occasional paying partners (17.6% vs 97.2% in 2011, p<0.01). Given the changing dynamics in the FSW population at multiple levels, there is a need to develop and customise strategies to meet local needs.
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Condones/estadística & datos numéricos , Infecciones por VIH/prevención & control , Educación en Salud/métodos , Promoción de la Salud , Asunción de Riesgos , Trabajadores Sexuales/estadística & datos numéricos , Sífilis/prevención & control , Adolescente , Adulto , Teléfono Celular , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Infecciones por VIH/epidemiología , Infecciones por VIH/transmisión , Humanos , India/epidemiología , Prevalencia , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Sífilis/epidemiología , Sífilis/transmisión , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
Systematic analysis of STD programme data contributes to a national portrait of sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention activities, including research and evaluation specifically designed to optimise programme efficiency and impact. We analysed the narrative of the 2009 annual progress reports of the US Comprehensive STD Prevention Systems cooperative agreement for 58 STD programmes, concentrating on programme characteristics and partnerships. Programmes described 516 unique partnerships with a median of seven organisations cited per STD programme. Non-profit organisations (including service providers) were most frequently cited. Higher gonorrhoea morbidity was associated with reporting more partnerships; budget problems were associated with reporting fewer. Challenges to engaging in partnerships included budget constraints, staff turnover and low interest. Data provide a source of information for judging progress in programme collaboration and for informing a sustained programme-focused research and evaluation agenda.
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Conducta Cooperativa , Administración de los Servicios de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual/prevención & control , Administración de los Servicios de Salud/economía , Administración de los Servicios de Salud/tendencias , Humanos , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Development of efficacious interventions is only the first step in achieving population level impact. Efficacious interventions impact infection levels in the population only if they are implemented at the right scale. Coverage must be prioritised across subpopulations based on the diversity and clustering of infections and risk in society, and expanded rapidly without delay. It is important to prioritise those who are most likely to transmit infection first.