Caroline De Schacht

Background: Mozambique implemented a phased roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among higher-risk populations in Zambézia Province. Methods: A mixed-methods study in Zambézia Province assessed knowledge, perceptions, and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination. Structured questionnaire-based surveys among community health workers/volunteers, taxi drivers, and persons with HIV; and focus group discussions using semi-structured guides with community/religious leaders, adults aged 18–49 years and adults aged 50+ years were conducted in August–September 2021. Surveys were captured using tablets; group discussions were recorded. Univariate analyses were performed for quantitative data; qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: A total of 731 individuals participated (539 survey respondents; 192 discussion respondents); 53% male (n = 386) and 74% urban (n = 544) residents. Most had heard about COVID-19 vaccines, mainly through television and/or radio. Trustworthy information sources mentioned were community leaders and healthcare providers. Among survey respondents, 249/539 (46%) reported having received at least 1 vaccine dose. Motivators for vaccination mentioned by survey respondents were “belief that vaccines protect themselves” (72%), “belief it would protect their family” (17%). Myths and beliefs, misinformation, and long queues were main barriers for vaccination mentioned in group discussions. Participants suggested that campaigns should focus on communication talks led by health professionals, in partnership with community or church leaders and/or community health workers/volunteers. Conclusions: This study showed that information on COVID-19 vaccination had successfully reached the vast majority of study participants, mainly via radio and television. Targeted campaigns specific for rural and urban contexts can increase awareness and uptake of vaccination.

Background: In 2021, Mozambique initiated community-based oral HIV self-testing (HIVST) to increase testing access and uptake among priority groups, including adult males, adolescents, and young adults. Within an HIVST pilot project, we conducted a performance evaluation assessing participants’ ability to successfully conduct HIVST procedures and interpret results. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between February-March 2021 among employees, students (18–24 years of age), and community members, using convenience sampling, in two rural districts of Zambézia Province, Mozambique. We quantified how well untrained users performed procedures for the oral HIVST (Oraquick^®) through direct observation using a structured checklist, from which we calculated an HIVST usability index (scores ranging 0–100%). Additionally, participants interpreted three previously processed anonymous HIVST results. False reactive and false non-reactive interpretation results were presented as proportions. Bivariate analysis was conducted using Chi-square and Fisher exact tests. Results: A total of 312 persons participated (131[42%] community members, 71[23%] students, 110[35%] employees); 239 (77%) were male; the mean age was 28 years (standard deviation 10). Average usability index scores were 80% among employees, 86% among students, and 77% among community members. Main procedural errors observed included “incorrect tube positioning” (49%), “incorrect specimen collection” (43%), and “improper waiting time for result interpretation” (42%). From the presented anonymous HIVST results, 75% (n = 234) correctly interpreted all three results, while 9 (3%) of study participants failed to correctly interpret any results. Overall, 36 (12%) gave a false non-reactive result interpretation, 21 (7%) a false reactive result interpretation, and 14 (4%) gave both false non-reactive and false reactive result interpretations. Community members generally had lower performance. Conclusions: Despite some observed testing procedural errors, most users could successfully perform an HIVST. Educational sessions at strategic places (e.g., schools, workplaces), and support via social media and hotlines, may improve HIVST performance quality, reducing the risk of incorrect interpretation.

Introduction: Patient satisfaction with clinical services can have an effect on retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. This study assessed patient satisfaction and its association with retention and viral suppression in Zambézia Province, Mozambique. Methods: Monthly exit interviews with persons living with HIV were completed from August 2017-January 2019 in 20 health facilities; clinical data were extracted from medical records. Regression analyses assessed the effect of satisfaction scores on retention and viral suppression, adjusting for age, sex, education, civil status, time on treatment, and site. Satisfaction scores were correlated with time spent at health facilities using generalized linear regression models. Results: Data from 4388 patients were analyzed. Overall median satisfaction score was 75% (IQR 53%-84%); median time spent at facilities (from arrival until completion of clinical services) was 2h54min (IQR 1h48min-4h). Overall satisfaction score was not associated with higher odds of retention or viral suppression, but association was seen between satisfaction regarding attention given to patient and respect and higher odds of viral suppression. Patient satisfaction was negatively associated with time spent in facility (Spearman’s correlation -0.63). Increased time spent at facility (from 1 to 3 hours) was not associated with lower retention in care (OR 0.72 [95%CI:0.52–1.01] and 0.83 [95%CI: 0.63–1.09] at 6- and 12-months, respectively), nor with a lower odds of viral suppression (OR 0.96 [95%CI: 0.71–1.32]). Conclusions: Strategies to reduce patient wait times at the health facility warrant continued prioritization. Differentiated models of care have helped considerably, but novel approaches are still needed to further decongest crowded health facilities. In addition, a good client-provider communication and positive attitude can improve patient satisfaction with health services, with an overall improved retention.

The community adherence support group (CASG) was one of the first differentiated service delivery (DSD) models introduced in Mozambique. This study assessed the impact of this model on retention in care, loss to follow-up (LTFU), and viral suppression among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated adults in Mozambique. A retrospective cohort study included CASG-eligible adults enrolled between April 2012 and October 2017 at 123 health facilities in Zambézia Province. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) was used to allocate CASG members and those who never enrolled in a CASG. Logistic regressions were performed to estimate the impact of CASG membership on 6- and 12-month retention and viral load (VL) suppression. Cox proportional regression was used to model differences in LTFU. Data from 26,858 patients were included. The median age at CASG eligibility was 32 years and 75% were female, with 84% residing in rural areas. A total of 93% and 90% of CASG members were retained in care at 6 and 12 months, respectively, while 77% and 66% non-CASG members were retained during the same periods. The odds of being retained in care at 6 and 12 months were significantly higher among patients receiving ART through CASG support (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.19 [95% confidence interval; CI: 3.79–4.63], p < .001, and aOR = 4.43 [95% CI: 4.01–4.90], p < .001, respectively). Among 7,674 patients with available VL measurements, the odds of being virally suppressed were higher among CASG members (aOR = 1.14 [95% CI: 1.02–1.28], p < .001). Non-CASG members had a significantly higher likelihood of being LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.45 [95% CI: 3.20–3.73], p < .001). While Mozambique rapidly scales up multi-month drug dispensation as the preferred DSD model, this study emphasizes the continued importance of CASG as an efficacious DSD alternative, especially among patients residing in rural areas, where CASG acceptability is higher.

Introduction: As COVID-19 continues to spread globally and within Mozambique, its impact among immunosuppressed persons, specifically persons living with HIV (PLHIV), and on the health system is unknown in the country. The ‘COVid and hIV’ (COVIV) study aims to investigate: (1) the seroprevalence and seroincidence of SARS-CoV-2 among PLHIV and healthcare workers providing HIV services; (2) knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceptions regarding SARS-CoV-2 infection; (3) the pandemic’s impact on HIV care continuum outcomes and (4) facility level compliance with national COVID-19 guidelines.Methods and analysis: A multimethod study will be conducted in a maximum of 11 health facilities across Mozambique, comprising four components: (1) a cohort study among PLHIV and healthcare workers providing HIV services to determine the seroprevalence and seroincidence of SARS-CoV-2, (2) a structured survey to assess knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices regarding COVID-19 disease, (3) analysis of aggregated patient data to evaluate retention in HIV services among PLHIV, (4) an assessment of facility implementation of infection prevention and control measures.Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval was obtained from the National Health Bioethics Committee, and institutional review boards of implementing partners. Study findings will be discussed with local and national health authorities and key stakeholders and will be disseminated in clinical and scientific forums.Trial registration number: NCT05022407.

Approximately 15% of people with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa have comorbid depression, which impacts treatment outcomes. We describe predictors of baseline depressive symptoms in 1079 female and 1079 male participants in a cluster-randomized trial in Zambézia Province, Mozambique from November 2017 to December 2020. We modeled each partners' depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) using proportional odds models adjusted for enrollment date, age, body mass index [BMI], partner's PHQ-9 score, district, relationship status, education, occupation, WHO HIV clinical stage, and antiretroviral therapy use history. A post hoc analysis assessed covariate-adjusted rank correlation between partner depressive symptoms. Females were younger than males (median 23 vs. 28 years) and more likely to report no education (20.7% vs. 7.9%). Approximately 10% screened positive for depression (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10). Partner depressive symptoms were predictive of higher participant PHQ-9 scores. A male partner PHQ-9 score of 10 (versus 5) increased the odds that the female partner would have a higher PHQ-9 score (adjusted odds ratio: 7.25, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 5.43-9.67). Partner PHQ-9 scores were highly correlated after covariate adjustment (Spearman's rho 0.65, 95% CI 0.57-0.72). Interventions aimed to reduce depressive symptoms and improve HIV-related outcomes during pregnancy should address both partners' depressive symptoms.

HIV self-testing (HIVST) is a WHO-recommended strategy to increase testing, especially among key populations, men, and young adults. Between May and December 2019, a pilot was implemented in Zambézia province, Mozambique, allowing clients to purchase HIV self-tests in 14 public/private pharmacies. The study assessed the strategy's acceptability and uptake. Pharmacy-based exit surveys were conducted among a random sample of clients, during the first three months of the pilot, independent of HIVST purchase. Another random sample of clients who bought an HIVST completed a survey 1–12 weeks after purchase. Chi-square and Mann–Whitney tests were used for the analysis, comparing clients who purchased an HIVST versus not. A total of 1,139 adults purchased 1,344 tests. Buyers were predominantly male (70%) and younger (52% between 15 and 34 years of age). Surveys were completed by 280 exiting pharmacy clients and 82 clients who purchased an HIVST. Main advantages were confidentiality and lack of need of a health provider visit, with main disadvantages being absence of nearby counseling and fear of results. No differences were seen between buyers and non-buyers for these factors. Among all undergoing HIVST, 71 (92%) perceived the instructions to be clear, however, 29 (38%) stated they would have benefitted from additional pre-test information or counseling. Ten (13%) reported following up at a nearby health facility to confirm results and/or receive care. Offering HIVST at public/private pharmacies was acceptable among people who traditionally tend to have a lower HIV testing coverage, such as men and young adults. However, additional resources and/or enhanced educational materials to address the lack of counseling, and linkage-to-care systems need to be put into place before scaling up this strategy.

Mozambique introduced guidelines for integrated gender-based violence (GBV) services in 2012. In 2017, we trained providers on empathetic and supportive services to GBV survivors and introduced home-based services for survivors who are loss-to-follow up. Rate ratios of clinic visits were compared before and after intervention initiation, using exact significance tests. Data of 1,806 GBV survivors were reviewed, with a total of 2005 events. The median age was 23 years (IQR 17–30) and 89% were women. Among those reporting violence, 69% reported physical violence, 18% reported sexual violence (SV), and 12% reported psychological violence. Rates of care-seeking behavior were higher in the intervention period (rate ratio 1.31 [95%CI: 1.18–1.46]); p < 0.01. Among those eligible for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), 94% initiated PEP. Uptake of HIV retesting improved in percentage points by 34% (14% to 48%), 34% (8% to 42%) and 26% (5% to 31%) at 1-, 3- and 6-months, respectively. The intervention led to an increase in the rate of GBV survivors seeking health care services, and improved rates of follow-up care among SV survivors initiating PEP. Strengthening of PEP adherence counseling remains crucial for improving GBV services.

Background: Historically, antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation was based on CD4 criteria, but this has been replaced with "Test and Start" wherein all people living with HIV are offered ART. We describe the baseline immunologic status among children relative to evolving ART policies in Mozambique. Methods: This retrospective evaluation was performed using routinely collected data. Children living with HIV (CL aged 5–14 years) with CD4 data in the period of 2012–2018 were included. ART initiation “policy periods” corresponded to implementation of evolving guidelines: in period 1 (2012–2016), ART was recommended for CD4 3; during period 2 (2016–2017), the CD4 threshold increased to 3; Test and Start was implemented in period 3 (2017–2018). We described temporal trends in the proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency (CD4 3) at enrollment and at ART initiation. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate associations with severe immunodeficiency. Results: The cohort included 1815 children with CD4 data at enrollment and 1922 at ART initiation. The proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency decreased over time: 20% at enrollment into care in period 1 vs. 16% in period 3 (P = 0.113) and 21% at ART initiation in period 1 vs. 15% in period 3 (P = 0.004). Children initiating ART in period 3 had lower odds of severe immunodeficiency at ART initiation compared with those in period 1 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.88]. Older age was associated with severe immunodeficiency at enrollment (aOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.20) and at ART initiation (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.21). Conclusions: The proportion of children with severe immunodeficiency at ART initiation decreased alongside more inclusive ART initiation guidelines. Earlier treatment of children living with HIV is imperative.

The Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine is focused on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention and related topics relevant to clinical and public health practice. The purpose of the journal is to disseminate original research results and support high-level learning related to HIV Medicine. It publishes original research articles, editorials, case reports/case series, reviews of state-of-the-art clinical practice and correspondence.