Journal Article > ResearchAbstract
Int Health. 30 July 2013; Volume 5 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1093/inthealth/iht016
Decroo T, Rasschaert F, Telfer B, Remartinez D, Laga M, et al.
Int Health. 30 July 2013; Volume 5 (Issue 3); DOI:10.1093/inthealth/iht016
In sub-Saharan Africa models of care need to adapt to support continued scale up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retain millions in care. Task shifting, coupled with community participation has the potential to address the workforce gap, decongest health services, improve ART coverage, and to sustain retention of patients on ART over the long-term. The evidence supporting different models of community participation for ART care, or community-based ART, in sub-Saharan Africa, was reviewed. In Uganda and Kenya community health workers or volunteers delivered ART at home. In Mozambique people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) self-formed community-based ART groups to deliver ART in the community. These examples of community ART programs made treatment more accessible and affordable. However, to achieve success some major challenges need to be overcome: first, community programs need to be driven, owned by and embedded in the communities. Second, an enabling and supportive environment is needed to ensure that task shifting to lay staff and PLWHA is effective and quality services are provided. Finally, a long term vision and commitment from national governments and international donors is required. Exploration of the cost, effectiveness, and sustainability of the different community-based ART models in different contexts will be needed.
Journal Article > ResearchAbstract
Int J STD AIDS. 1 June 2012; Volume 23 (Issue 6); DOI:10.1258/ijsa.2009.009328
Chu KM, Manzi M, Zuniga I, Biot M, Ford NP, et al.
Int J STD AIDS. 1 June 2012; Volume 23 (Issue 6); DOI:10.1258/ijsa.2009.009328
To describe the frequency, risk factors, and clinical signs and symptoms associated with hepatotoxicity (HT) in patients on nevirapine- or efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy (ART), we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of patients attending the ART clinic in Kibera, Kenya, from April 2003 to December 2006 and in Mavalane, Mozambique, from December 2002 to March 2007. Data were collected on 5832 HIV-positive individuals who had initiated nevirapine- or efavirenz-based ART. Median baseline CD4+ count was 125 cells/μL (interquartile range [IQR] 55-196). Over a median follow-up time of 426 (IQR 147-693) days, 124 (2.4%) patients developed HT. Forty-one (54.7%) of 75 patients with grade 3 HT compared with 21 (80.8%) of 26 with grade 4 had associated clinical signs or symptoms (P = 0.018). Four (5.7%) of 124 patients with HT died in the first six months compared with 271 (5.3%) of 5159 patients who did not develop HT (P = 0.315). The proportion of patients developing HT was low and HT was not associated with increased mortality. Clinical signs and symptoms identified 50% of grade 3 HT and most cases of grade 4 HT. This suggests that in settings where alanine aminotransferase measurement is not feasible, nevirapine- and efavirenz-based ART may be given safely without laboratory monitoring.
Journal Article > ResearchAbstract
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1 February 2010; Volume 104 (Issue 2); DOI:10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.07.009
van Griensven J, Zachariah R, Rasschaert F, Mugabo J, Atté EF, et al.
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1 February 2010; Volume 104 (Issue 2); DOI:10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.07.009
This cohort study was conducted to report on the incidence, timing and risk factors for stavudine (d4T)- and nevirapine (NVP)-related severe drug toxicity (requiring substitution) with a generic fixed-dose combination under program conditions in Kigali, Rwanda. Probability of 'time to first toxicity-related drug substitution' was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox-proportional hazards modeling was used to identify risk factors. Out of 2190 adults (median follow-up: 1.5 years), d4T was replaced in 175 patients (8.0%) for neuropathy, 69 (3.1%) for lactic acidosis and 157 (7.2%) for lipoatrophy, which was the most frequent toxicity by 3 years of antiretroviral treatment (ART). NVP was substituted in 4.9 and 1.3% of patients for skin rash and hepatotoxicity, respectively. Use of d4T 40mg was associated with increased risk of lipoatrophy and early (<6 months) neuropathy. Significant risk factors associated with lactic acidosis and late neuropathy included higher baseline body weight. Older age and advanced HIV disease increased the risk of neuropathy. Elevated baseline liver tests and older age were identified as risk factors for NVP-related hepatotoxicity. d4T is associated with significant long-term toxicity. d4T-dose reduction, increased access to safer ART in low-income countries and close monitoring for those at risk are all relevant strategies.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
AIDS Res Treat. 19 April 2012; Volume 2012; DOI:10.1155/2012/749718
Decroo T, Van Damme W, Kegels G, Remartinez D, Rasschaert F
AIDS Res Treat. 19 April 2012; Volume 2012; DOI:10.1155/2012/749718
Since the introduction of antiretroviral treatment, HIV/AIDS can be framed as a chronic lifelong condition, requiring lifelong adherence to medication. Reinforcement of self-management through information, acquisition of problem solving skills, motivation, and peer support is expected to allow PLWHA to become involved as expert patients in the care management and to decrease the dependency on scarce skilled medical staff. We developed a conceptual framework to analyse how PLWHA can become expert patients and performed a literature review on involvement of PLWHA as expert patients in ART provision in Sub-Saharan Africa. This paper revealed two published examples: one on trained PLWHA in Kenya and another on self-formed peer groups in Mozambique. Both programs fit the concept of the expert patient and describe how community-embedded ART programs can be effective and improve the accessibility and affordability of ART. Using their day-to-day experience of living with HIV, expert patients are able to provide better fitting solutions to practical and psychosocial barriers to adherence. There is a need for careful design of models in which expert patients are involved in essential care functions, capacitated, and empowered to manage their condition and support fellow peers, as an untapped resource to control HIV/AIDS.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Int STD Res Rev. 31 October 2013; Volume 1 (Issue 2); 49–59.; DOI:10.9734/ISRR/2013/5867
Decroo T, Lara J, Rasschaert F, Bermudez-Aza EH, Couto AM, et al.
Int STD Res Rev. 31 October 2013; Volume 1 (Issue 2); 49–59.; DOI:10.9734/ISRR/2013/5867
AIMS
To describe the stepwise implementation and roll out of Community ART Groups (CAG) in Mozambique.
STUDY DESIGN
Descriptive study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
Mozambique, between February 2008 and December 2011.
METHODOLOGY
Description of the stepwise implementation of a model for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) delivery based on the principles of peer support and self-management. The program data on CAG were obtained through a chart review and routine datacollection.
RESULTS
To overcome patient reported barriers to monthly drug refills for ART the Tete Provincial Directorate of Health and Medecins Sans Frontieres developed a communitybased ART model or patient-centered model, through peer support groups named CAG. The first CAG commenced in 2008, in rural health facility catchment areas, where members of CAG shared transport costs to overcome distances to the ART clinics. In 2009, lessons learnt were exported in Tete province and CAG model was launched in semi-urban contexts to decrease time spent in the clinics. In 2011, retention rates as high as 97,5 % convinced a joint task force that included Ministry of Health and major partners Original Research Article Decroo et al.; ISRR, Article no. ISRR.2013.001 50 to pilot the CAG strategy on a national scale.
CONCLUSIONS
To respond to staggering attrition rates Ministry of Health in Mozambique and partners piloted an innovative patient-centered model for HIV care and exported good practices from local to provincial and national level. Success of scale up will depend on the collaboration and interaction between policymakers, donors, health-managers, caregivers, communities, and patients.
To describe the stepwise implementation and roll out of Community ART Groups (CAG) in Mozambique.
STUDY DESIGN
Descriptive study
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY
Mozambique, between February 2008 and December 2011.
METHODOLOGY
Description of the stepwise implementation of a model for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) delivery based on the principles of peer support and self-management. The program data on CAG were obtained through a chart review and routine datacollection.
RESULTS
To overcome patient reported barriers to monthly drug refills for ART the Tete Provincial Directorate of Health and Medecins Sans Frontieres developed a communitybased ART model or patient-centered model, through peer support groups named CAG. The first CAG commenced in 2008, in rural health facility catchment areas, where members of CAG shared transport costs to overcome distances to the ART clinics. In 2009, lessons learnt were exported in Tete province and CAG model was launched in semi-urban contexts to decrease time spent in the clinics. In 2011, retention rates as high as 97,5 % convinced a joint task force that included Ministry of Health and major partners Original Research Article Decroo et al.; ISRR, Article no. ISRR.2013.001 50 to pilot the CAG strategy on a national scale.
CONCLUSIONS
To respond to staggering attrition rates Ministry of Health in Mozambique and partners piloted an innovative patient-centered model for HIV care and exported good practices from local to provincial and national level. Success of scale up will depend on the collaboration and interaction between policymakers, donors, health-managers, caregivers, communities, and patients.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
J Int AIDS Soc. 1 January 2014; Volume 17 (Issue 1); 18910.; DOI:10.7448/IAS.17.1.18910
Rasschaert F, Decroo T, Remartinez D, Telfer B, Lessitala F, et al.
J Int AIDS Soc. 1 January 2014; Volume 17 (Issue 1); 18910.; DOI:10.7448/IAS.17.1.18910
INTRODUCTION
To overcome patients' reported barriers to accessing anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a community-based delivery model was piloted in Tete, Mozambique. Community ART Groups (CAGs) of maximum six patients stable on ART offered cost- and time-saving benefits and mutual psychosocial support, which resulted in better adherence and retention outcomes. To date, Médecins Sans Frontières has coordinated and supported these community-driven activities.
METHODS
To better understand the sustainability of the CAG model, we developed a conceptual framework on sustainability of community-based programmes. This was used to explore the data retrieved from 16 focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews with different stakeholder groups involved in the CAG model and to identify factors influencing the sustainability of the CAG model.
RESULTS
We report the findings according to the framework's five components. (1) The CAG model was designed to overcome patients' barriers to ART and was built on a concept of self-management and patient empowerment to reach effective results. (2) Despite the progressive Ministry of Health (MoH) involvement, the daily management of the model is still strongly dependent on external resources, especially the need for a regulatory cadre to form and monitor the groups. These additional resources are in contrast to the limited MoH resources available. (3) The model is strongly embedded in the community, with patients taking a more active role in their own healthcare and that of their peers. They are considered as partners in healthcare, which implies a new healthcare approach. (4) There is a growing enabling environment with political will and general acceptance to support the CAG model. (5) However, contextual factors, such as poverty, illiteracy and the weak health system, influence the community-based model and need to be addressed.
CONCLUSIONS
The community embeddedness of the model, together with patient empowerment, high acceptability and progressive MoH involvement strongly favour the future sustainability of the CAG model. The high dependency on external resources for the model's daily management, however, can potentially jeopardize its sustainability. Further reflections are required on possible solutions to solve these challenges, especially in terms of human resources.
To overcome patients' reported barriers to accessing anti-retroviral therapy (ART), a community-based delivery model was piloted in Tete, Mozambique. Community ART Groups (CAGs) of maximum six patients stable on ART offered cost- and time-saving benefits and mutual psychosocial support, which resulted in better adherence and retention outcomes. To date, Médecins Sans Frontières has coordinated and supported these community-driven activities.
METHODS
To better understand the sustainability of the CAG model, we developed a conceptual framework on sustainability of community-based programmes. This was used to explore the data retrieved from 16 focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews with different stakeholder groups involved in the CAG model and to identify factors influencing the sustainability of the CAG model.
RESULTS
We report the findings according to the framework's five components. (1) The CAG model was designed to overcome patients' barriers to ART and was built on a concept of self-management and patient empowerment to reach effective results. (2) Despite the progressive Ministry of Health (MoH) involvement, the daily management of the model is still strongly dependent on external resources, especially the need for a regulatory cadre to form and monitor the groups. These additional resources are in contrast to the limited MoH resources available. (3) The model is strongly embedded in the community, with patients taking a more active role in their own healthcare and that of their peers. They are considered as partners in healthcare, which implies a new healthcare approach. (4) There is a growing enabling environment with political will and general acceptance to support the CAG model. (5) However, contextual factors, such as poverty, illiteracy and the weak health system, influence the community-based model and need to be addressed.
CONCLUSIONS
The community embeddedness of the model, together with patient empowerment, high acceptability and progressive MoH involvement strongly favour the future sustainability of the CAG model. The high dependency on external resources for the model's daily management, however, can potentially jeopardize its sustainability. Further reflections are required on possible solutions to solve these challenges, especially in terms of human resources.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 20 March 2014; Volume 9 (Issue 3); e91544.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0091544
Rasschaert F, Telfer B, Lessitala F, Decroo T, Remartinez D, et al.
PLOS One. 20 March 2014; Volume 9 (Issue 3); e91544.; DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0091544
BACKGROUND
To improve retention on ART, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Ministry of Health and patients piloted a community-based antiretroviral distribution and adherence monitoring model through Community ART Groups (CAG) in Tete, Mozambique. By December 2012, almost 6000 patients on ART had formed groups of whom 95.7% were retained in care. We conducted a qualitative study to evaluate the relevance, dynamic and impact of the CAG model on patients, their communities and the healthcare system.
METHODS
Between October 2011 and May 2012, we conducted 16 focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews with the major stakeholders involved in the CAG model. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory approach.
RESULTS
Six key themes emerged from the data: 1) Barriers to access HIV care, 2) CAG functioning and actors involved, 3) Benefits for CAG members, 4) Impacts of CAG beyond the group members, 5) Setbacks, and 6) Acceptance and future expectations of the CAG model. The model provides cost and time savings, certainty of ART access and mutual peer support resulting in better adherence to treatment. Through the active role of patients, HIV information could be conveyed to the broader community, leading to an increased uptake of services and positive transformation of the identity of people living with HIV. Potential pitfalls included limited access to CAG for those most vulnerable to defaulting, some inequity to patients in individual ART care and a high dependency on counsellors.
CONCLUSION
The CAG model resulted in active patient involvement and empowerment, and the creation of a supportive environment improving the ART retention. It also sparked a reorientation of healthcare services towards the community and strengthened community actions. Successful implementation and scalability requires (a) the acceptance of patients as partners in health, (b) adequate resources, and (c) a well-functioning monitoring and management system.
To improve retention on ART, Médecins Sans Frontières, the Ministry of Health and patients piloted a community-based antiretroviral distribution and adherence monitoring model through Community ART Groups (CAG) in Tete, Mozambique. By December 2012, almost 6000 patients on ART had formed groups of whom 95.7% were retained in care. We conducted a qualitative study to evaluate the relevance, dynamic and impact of the CAG model on patients, their communities and the healthcare system.
METHODS
Between October 2011 and May 2012, we conducted 16 focus group discussions and 24 in-depth interviews with the major stakeholders involved in the CAG model. Audio-recorded data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory approach.
RESULTS
Six key themes emerged from the data: 1) Barriers to access HIV care, 2) CAG functioning and actors involved, 3) Benefits for CAG members, 4) Impacts of CAG beyond the group members, 5) Setbacks, and 6) Acceptance and future expectations of the CAG model. The model provides cost and time savings, certainty of ART access and mutual peer support resulting in better adherence to treatment. Through the active role of patients, HIV information could be conveyed to the broader community, leading to an increased uptake of services and positive transformation of the identity of people living with HIV. Potential pitfalls included limited access to CAG for those most vulnerable to defaulting, some inequity to patients in individual ART care and a high dependency on counsellors.
CONCLUSION
The CAG model resulted in active patient involvement and empowerment, and the creation of a supportive environment improving the ART retention. It also sparked a reorientation of healthcare services towards the community and strengthened community actions. Successful implementation and scalability requires (a) the acceptance of patients as partners in health, (b) adequate resources, and (c) a well-functioning monitoring and management system.
Journal Article > CommentaryFull Text
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 15 April 2009; Volume 50 (Issue 5); 556-558.; DOI:10.1097/QAI.0b013e31819b15f3
van Griensven J, Zachariah R, Rasschaert F, Reid T
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 15 April 2009; Volume 50 (Issue 5); 556-558.; DOI:10.1097/QAI.0b013e31819b15f3
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1 February 2009; Volume 103 (Issue 6); DOI:10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.08.015
van Griensven J, Zachariah R, Rasschaert F, Atté EF, Reid AJ
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1 February 2009; Volume 103 (Issue 6); DOI:10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.08.015
This cohort study was conducted amongst female patients manifesting lipoatrophy while receiving stavudine-containing first-line antiretroviral treatment regimens at two urban health centres in Rwanda. The objectives were to assess weight evolution after stavudine substitution and to describe any significant difference in weight evolution when zidovudine or tenofovir/abacavir was used for substitution. All adult patients on stavudine-containing first-line regimens who developed lipoatrophy (diagnosed using a lipodystrophy case definition study-based questionnaire) and whose treatment regimen was changed were included (n=114). In the most severe cases stavudine was replaced with tenofovir or abacavir (n=39), and in the remainder with zidovudine (n=75). For patients changed to zidovudine a progressive weight loss was seen, while those on tenofovir/abacavir showed a progressive weight increase from six months. The between-group difference in weight evolution was significant from nine months (difference at 12 months: 2.3kg, P=0.02). These differences were confirmed by follow-up lipoatrophy scores. In multivariate analysis, substitution with tenofovir/abacavir remained significantly associated with weight gain. This is the first study in Africa assessing weight gain as a proxy for recovery after stavudine substitution due to lipoatrophy, providing supporting evidence that tenofovir/abacavir is superior to zidovudine. The weight loss with zidovudine might justify earlier substitution and access to better alternatives like tenofovir/abacavir.