Abstract Background: HIV-infected women are at increased risk for developing cervical cancer. Women living in resource-limited countries are especially at risk due to poor access to cervical cancer screening and treatment. We evaluated three cervical cancer screening methods to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 and above (CIN 2+) in HIV-infected women in South Africa; Pap smear, visual inspection with 5% acetic acid (VIA) and human papillomavirus detection (HPV). Methods:
Abstract: Introduction: After almost 10 years of PEPFAR funding for antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatment programmes in Kenya, little is known about the cost of care provided to HIV-positive patients receiving ART. With some 430,000 ART patients, understanding and managing costs is essential to treatment programme sustainability. Methods: Using patient-level data from medical records (n120/site), we estimated the cost of providing ART at three treatment sites in the Rift Valley Province of
Abstract: Objective: To estimate the impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on labour productivity and income using detailed employment data from two large tea plantations in western Kenya for HIV-infected tea pluckers who initiated ART. Design: Longitudinal study using primary data on key employment outcomes for a group of HIV-infected workers receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and workers in the general workforce. Methods: We used nearest-neighbour matching methods to estimate the
Abstract: Background: In South Africa, patients with multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) are hospitalised from MDR-TB treatment initiation until culture conversion. Although MDR-TB accounts for <3% of incident TB in South Africa, 55% of the public sector TB budget is spent on MDR-TB. To inform new strategies for MDR-TB management, we estimated the per-patient cost (USD 2011) of inpatient MDR-TB treatment. Methods: All resources used by patients admitted to the MDR-TB hospital with
Abstract: Background: South Africa has the world’s largest number of patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART). As coverage expands beyond urban environments, the cost of care is becoming increasingly important. Methods: Health care cost data for the first year after initiation were analyzed for cohorts of patients in a semiurban and an urban public sector ART clinic in South Africa. We compared mean cost by CD4 cell count and time on ART between clinics. Results: Patients in both clinics
Abstract: Objective: To propose practical, standardized definitions for reporting retention for pre-ART care. Method: Definitions footed on three stages: Stage 1, testing HIV-positive to initial ART eligibility assessment; Stage 2, initial assessment to ART eligibility; and Stage 3, ART eligibility to ART initiation. For each stage, negative outcomes include death, loss, or not being retained. Results: Stage 1 Retention: proportion of patients who complete initial ART eligibility assessment
Abstract: Background: A mobile HIV counseling and testing (HCT) program around Johannesburg piloted the integration of point-of-care CD4 testing, using the Pima™ Analyzer, to improve linkages to HIV care. We report results from this pilot program for patients testing positive (n=508) from May–October 2010. Methods: We analyzed three primary outcomes: assignment to testing group (offered POC CD4 or not; successful follow up (by phone); and completed the referral visit for HIV care within 8
Abstract: Objectives: To assess outcomes over the first 7 years of antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Themba Lethu Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa. Design: Observational cohort study. Methods: Patients are managed according to South African National Treatment Guidelines. Mortality is ascertained through linkage with the national vital registration system. Loss to follow-up is defined as at least 3 months late for the last scheduled appointment. Results: Between April 2004 and March 2010, 13
Abstract: Background: Increased mortality among men on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been documented but remains poorly understood. We examined the magnitude of and risk factors for gender differences in mortality on ART. Methods and Findings: Analyses included 46,201 ART-naı¨ve adults starting ART between January 2002 and December 2009 in eight ART programmes across South Africa (SA). Patients were followed from initiation of ART to outcome or analysis closure. The primary outcome was
Abstract: Objective: The World Health Organization recommends using Xpert MTB/RIF for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), but there is little evidence on the optimal placement of Xpert instruments in public health systems. We used recent South African data to compare the cost of placing Xpert at points of TB treatment (all primary clinics and hospitals) with the cost of placement at sub-district laboratories. Methods: We estimated Xpert’s cost/test in a primary clinic pilot and in the
Abstract: Objective: Pregnancy is a common indication for initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to evaluate how pregnancy at treatment initiation predicts virologic response to HAART. Methods: We evaluated an open cohort of 9,173 patients who initiated HAART between April 2004 and September 2009 in the Themba Lethu Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. Risk ratios were estimated using log-binomial regression; hazard ratios were
Abstract: Background: The World Health Organization is currently developing guidelines on screening for tuberculosis disease to inform national screening strategies. This process is complicated by significant gaps in knowledge regarding mass screening. This study aimed to assess feasibility, uptake, yield, treatment outcomes, and costs of adding an active tuberculosis case-finding program to an existing mobile HIV testing service. Methods and Findings: The study was conducted at a mobile HIV
