Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa

Introduction KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA) has the highest prevalence of pregnant women living with HIV in the world. Pregnancy and the postpartum period offer opportunities to engage women in HIV care, to prevent perinatal transmission and to optimise maternal and infant well-being. Howeve...

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Main Authors: Jessica Haberer, Christina Psaros, Amelia M Stanton, C Andres Bedoya, Nzwakie Mosery, Shannon Evans, Lynn Turner Matthews, Mark Vangel, Steven Safren, Jennifer A Smit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2020-01-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e035465.full
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author Jessica Haberer
Christina Psaros
Amelia M Stanton
C Andres Bedoya
Nzwakie Mosery
Shannon Evans
Lynn Turner Matthews
Mark Vangel
Steven Safren
Jennifer A Smit
author_facet Jessica Haberer
Christina Psaros
Amelia M Stanton
C Andres Bedoya
Nzwakie Mosery
Shannon Evans
Lynn Turner Matthews
Mark Vangel
Steven Safren
Jennifer A Smit
author_sort Jessica Haberer
collection DOAJ
description Introduction KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA) has the highest prevalence of pregnant women living with HIV in the world. Pregnancy and the postpartum period offer opportunities to engage women in HIV care, to prevent perinatal transmission and to optimise maternal and infant well-being. However, research suggests that remaining engaged in HIV care during this time can be challenging.Methods and analysis We are conducting a 5-year prospective cohort study among pregnant women living with HIV in KZN to estimate the rates and factors associated with attrition from HIV care during this critical period. To determine who is most likely to fall out of care, we are examining a range of relevant variables informed by a socioecological model of HIV care, including individual, relational, community and healthcare system variables. We are enrolling 18–45-year-old women, at 28 weeks or more of pregnancy, who are living with HIV and currently taking antiretroviral therapies. Participants complete quantitative assessments at baseline (pregnancy) and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postpartum. A subset of women and their partners are invited to complete qualitative interviews to further explore their experiences in HIV care. The main study outcomes are suppressed HIV RNA and retention in care at each study assessment. Our understanding of the factors that drive postpartum attrition from HIV care will ultimately inform the development of interventions to facilitate continued engagement in postpartum HIV care.Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) at The University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, SA) and the Partners Human Research Committee at Partners HealthCare (Boston, Massachusetts, USA). Site support and approval were obtained from the District Hospital and the KZN Provincial Department of Health. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports and both local and international presentations (Ethics Registration #170 212).
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spelling doaj-art-eae23c8365834932b7a74dfc13e14d932024-12-07T05:30:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552020-01-0110110.1136/bmjopen-2019-035465Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South AfricaJessica Haberer0Christina Psaros1Amelia M Stanton2C Andres Bedoya3Nzwakie Mosery4Shannon Evans5Lynn Turner Matthews6Mark Vangel7Steven Safren8Jennifer A Smit914 Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA2 Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA1 Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA1 Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA3 MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa3 MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa4 Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA1 Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA7 Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USAMatCH Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Durban, South AfricaIntroduction KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA) has the highest prevalence of pregnant women living with HIV in the world. Pregnancy and the postpartum period offer opportunities to engage women in HIV care, to prevent perinatal transmission and to optimise maternal and infant well-being. However, research suggests that remaining engaged in HIV care during this time can be challenging.Methods and analysis We are conducting a 5-year prospective cohort study among pregnant women living with HIV in KZN to estimate the rates and factors associated with attrition from HIV care during this critical period. To determine who is most likely to fall out of care, we are examining a range of relevant variables informed by a socioecological model of HIV care, including individual, relational, community and healthcare system variables. We are enrolling 18–45-year-old women, at 28 weeks or more of pregnancy, who are living with HIV and currently taking antiretroviral therapies. Participants complete quantitative assessments at baseline (pregnancy) and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postpartum. A subset of women and their partners are invited to complete qualitative interviews to further explore their experiences in HIV care. The main study outcomes are suppressed HIV RNA and retention in care at each study assessment. Our understanding of the factors that drive postpartum attrition from HIV care will ultimately inform the development of interventions to facilitate continued engagement in postpartum HIV care.Ethics and dissemination This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) at The University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, SA) and the Partners Human Research Committee at Partners HealthCare (Boston, Massachusetts, USA). Site support and approval were obtained from the District Hospital and the KZN Provincial Department of Health. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports and both local and international presentations (Ethics Registration #170 212).https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e035465.full
spellingShingle Jessica Haberer
Christina Psaros
Amelia M Stanton
C Andres Bedoya
Nzwakie Mosery
Shannon Evans
Lynn Turner Matthews
Mark Vangel
Steven Safren
Jennifer A Smit
Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
BMJ Open
title Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
title_full Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
title_fullStr Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
title_short Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa
title_sort protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in hiv care among women living with hiv in south africa
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e035465.full
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