HIV/AIDS

Microbicides and HIV: Help or Hindrance?

Eran Karmon
Malcolm Potts
Wayne Getz
2003

We present a simple mathematical model for assessing the effects of introducing a microbicide as an HIV infection protective method. As very little is known about the in vivo efficacy of microbicides, we ran sample scenarios for microbicides of various efficacies. We found that, in general, if existing condom usage in a community is low, introducing a microbicide will most likely have a positive impact on HIV incidence as abandonment of condom use in favor of microbicides will not play a significant role. If condom use in a community is high, though, attrition of condom users could play a...

Transportation cost as a barrier to contraceptive use among women initiating treatment for HIV in Tanzania

Lauren A Hunter
Ndola Prata
Brenda Eskenazi
Prosper F Njau
Sandra I McCoy
2022

Transportation cost is a barrier to HIV treatment, yet no studies have examined its association with contraceptive use among women living with HIV. We analyzed cross-sectional data from women attending three public healthcare facilities in Shinyanga, Tanzania where they initiated antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection in the previous 90 days; all facilities offered free contraception. Women self-reported current contraceptive use and the round-trip cost of transportation to the facility. Among 421 women aged 18–49, 86 (20.4%) were using any modern contraceptive method, of which...

A mixed-methods study to explore opportunities and challenges with using a mHealth approach to engage men who have sex with men in HIV prevention, treatment and care in Lomé, Togo

Ndola Prata
Karen Weidert
Doumenan Raphaël Soro
2021

Background: In Togo, men who have sex with men (MSM) experience disproportionately high rates of human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV), with prevalence at 13% compared to the countrywide general HIV prevalence of 2.5%. Mobile phone adoption has grown rapidly in West Africa in recent years and mobile
health (mHealth) provides an opportunity to engage high-risk populations in HIV prevention, treatment and care (PTC). This study focuses on the text messaging component of a mHealth program and resulting linkages to PTC in Lomé, Togo.

Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach to collect...

Risks of Intimate Partner Violence for Women Living with HIV Receiving Cash Transfers: A Qualitative Study in Shinyanga, Tanzania

Rebecca Hémono
Agatha Mnyippembe
Atuganile Kalinjila
Jesca Msoma
Ndola Prata
William H Dow
Claire Snell-Rood
Amon Sabasaba
Prosper Njau
Sandra I McCoy
2023

Cash transfers are increasingly used to motivate adherence to HIV care. However, evidence on cash transfers and intimate partner violence (IPV) is mixed and little is known about their safety for women living with HIV. We conducted in-depth interviews with women living with HIV who participated in a randomized trial providing 6 months of cash transfers (~$4.5 or $11 USD) conditional on HIV clinic attendance in Shinyanga, Tanzania to assess how receiving cash affects IPV and relationship dynamics. Eligible participants were 18-49 years, received cash transfers, and in a partnership at...

Impact of Financial Incentives on Intimate Partner Violence for Women Living with HIV Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy.

Rebecca Hémono
Emmanuel Katabaro
Babuu Joseph
Hamza Maila
Janeth Msasa
Kassim Hassan
Solis Winters
Ndola Prata
William H Dow
Prosper Njau
Amon Sabasaba
Sandra I McCoy
2025

Financial incentives have demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes for people living with HIV; however, little is known about their impact on intimate partner violence (IPV) in this vulnerable population. A cluster-randomized trial investigating financial incentives and viral suppression was conducted in the Lake Zone of Tanzania (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT0420135). Between May 2021-March 2022, 32 clinics were randomized 1:1 to receive the standard of...

Understanding stakeholder perspectives on integrating and sustaining a vertical HIV prevention programme into routine health services in Zimbabwe: a qualitative study

Amanda Marr Chung
Joseph Murungu
Peter Case
Precious Chitapi
Rudo Chikodzore
Jonathan Gosling
Sinokuthemba Xaba
Getrude Ncube
Owen Mugurungi
Patience Kunaka
Ndola Prata
Roly Daniel Gosling
Stefano M Bertozzi
Colette Auerswald
2025
Abstract

Introduction: The transition of voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), an HIV prevention service, in Zimbabwe from a donor-funded to a government-owned programme involves the collective efforts and alignment of national and subnational government leaders, managers, healthcare providers, village health workers, community members, donors and implementing partners. We sought to understand stakeholders' perspectives on barriers, facilitators and recommendations as a vertical HIV prevention programme transitioned to an integrated, government-led model.

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Tackling India’s HIV epidemic: lessons from Africa

Malcolm Potts
Julia Walsh
2005

India stands on the brink of a major HIV epidemic. However, by examining where public health initiatives went wrong in Africa, the international community may be able to help India avoid the devastating effects seen in Africa

Published in BMJ, 6 21 2003, 326(7403):1389-92

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Gender and Relationship Differences in Condom Use Among 15-24-Year-Olds in Angola

Ndola Prata
Farnaz Vahidnia
Ashley Frase
2005

CONTEXT: The sexual behavior of young people in Angola will play a major role in the future spread of HIV, yet few young people use condoms consistently, and reported rates of condom use are low. It is important to identify determinants of condom use among Angolan adolescents and young adults.

METHODS:Data for analysis came from 1,995 sexually experienced youth aged 15–24 who participated in a 2001 knowledge, attitudes and practices survey in Luanda, Angola. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of consistent condom use by gender and determinants of...

Cut to the chase: quickly achieving high coverage male circumcision

David Griffith
Benjamin Bellows
Malcolm Potts
2007

This article argues that it is now high time to make MC available to the poor in countries with high HIV prevalence.

Published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2007 Jul;61(7):612

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Lime Juice as a candidate for microbicide? An open-label safety trial of 10% and 20% lime juice used vaginally

A Hemmerling
M Potts
J Walsh
B Young-Holt
K Whaley
D Stefanski
2007

Objective: Lime has a long history as a contraceptive and vaginal hygiene douche, and ongoing use in Africa is documented. We report on the first safety study on diluted lime juice to assess its potential as a candidate microbicide. Methods: Twenty-five sexually abstinent women were randomly assigned to apply a 10% or 20% concentration of lime juice or 0% (water-only) through a soaked tampon once daily for 14 consecutive days. Tests for genital infections, measurement of inflammatory biomarkers, and a colposcopy were performed before and after treatment. Results: No participant showed...