Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
BMC Infect Dis. 26 June 2018; Volume 18 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s12879-018-3194-6
Vernier L, Lenglet AD, Hogema B, Moussa AM, Ariti C, et al.
BMC Infect Dis. 26 June 2018; Volume 18 (Issue 1); DOI:10.1186/s12879-018-3194-6
From September 2016-April 2017, Am Timan, Chad, experienced a large HEV outbreak in an urban setting with a limited impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. To better understand HEV epidemiology in this context, we estimated the seroprevalence of anti-HEV antibodies (IgM and IgG) and assessed the risk factors for recent HEV infections (positive anti-HEV IgM) during this outbreak.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
PLOS One. 27 November 2017; Volume 12 (Issue 11); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0188240
Spina A, Lenglet AD, Beversluis D, de Jong M, Vernier L, et al.
PLOS One. 27 November 2017; Volume 12 (Issue 11); DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0188240
In September 2016, three acutely jaundiced (AJS) pregnant women were admitted to Am Timan Hospital, eastern Chad. We described the outbreak and conducted a case test-negative study to identify risk factors for this genotype of HEV in an acute outbreak setting.
Journal Article > ResearchFull Text
AIDS. 14 June 2018; Volume 32 (Issue 14); 2067-2073.; DOI:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001924
Hu J, Geldsetzer P, Steele SJ, Matthews P, Ortblad K, et al.
AIDS. 14 June 2018; Volume 32 (Issue 14); 2067-2073.; DOI:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001924
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the causal effect of the number of lay counselors removed from a primary care clinic in rural South Africa on the number of clinic-based HIV tests performed.
DESIGN
Fixed-effects panel analysis.
METHODS
We collected monthly data on the number of lay counselors employed and HIV tests performed at nine primary care clinics in rural KwaZulu-Natal from January 2014 to December 2015. Using clinic-level and month-level fixed-effects regressions, we exploited the fact that lay counselors were removed from clinics at two quasi-random time points by a redeployment policy.
RESULTS
A total of 24 526 HIV tests were conducted over the study period. Twenty-one of 27 lay counselors were removed across the nine clinics in the two redeployment waves. A 10% reduction in the number of lay counselors at a clinic was associated with a 4.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-7.0, P < 0.001] decrease in the number of HIV tests performed. In absolute terms, losing one lay counselor from a clinic was associated with a mean of 29.7 (95% CI 21.2-38.2, P < 0.001) fewer HIV tests carried out at the clinic per month.
CONCLUSION
This study provides some evidence that lay counselors play an important role in the HIV response in rural South Africa. More broadly, this analysis adds some empirical support to plans to increase the involvement of lay health workers in the HIV response.
This study aimed to determine the causal effect of the number of lay counselors removed from a primary care clinic in rural South Africa on the number of clinic-based HIV tests performed.
DESIGN
Fixed-effects panel analysis.
METHODS
We collected monthly data on the number of lay counselors employed and HIV tests performed at nine primary care clinics in rural KwaZulu-Natal from January 2014 to December 2015. Using clinic-level and month-level fixed-effects regressions, we exploited the fact that lay counselors were removed from clinics at two quasi-random time points by a redeployment policy.
RESULTS
A total of 24 526 HIV tests were conducted over the study period. Twenty-one of 27 lay counselors were removed across the nine clinics in the two redeployment waves. A 10% reduction in the number of lay counselors at a clinic was associated with a 4.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.8-7.0, P < 0.001] decrease in the number of HIV tests performed. In absolute terms, losing one lay counselor from a clinic was associated with a mean of 29.7 (95% CI 21.2-38.2, P < 0.001) fewer HIV tests carried out at the clinic per month.
CONCLUSION
This study provides some evidence that lay counselors play an important role in the HIV response in rural South Africa. More broadly, this analysis adds some empirical support to plans to increase the involvement of lay health workers in the HIV response.