Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Introduction Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therap...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-11-01
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| Series: | AIDS Research and Therapy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-021-00395-3 |
| _version_ | 1818422243498131456 |
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| author | Benjamin Momo Kadia Christian Akem Dimala Noah T. Fongwen Adrian D. Smith |
| author_facet | Benjamin Momo Kadia Christian Akem Dimala Noah T. Fongwen Adrian D. Smith |
| author_sort | Benjamin Momo Kadia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) even after integration of HIV and TB treatment. This study assessed ART uptake, its barriers and enablers in programmes integrating TB and HIV treatment in SSA. Method A systematic review was performed. Seven databases were searched for eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published from March 2004 through July 2019. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of ART uptake. A thematic approach was used to analyse and synthesise data on barriers and enablers. Results Of 5139 references identified, 27 were included in the review: 23/27 estimated ART uptake and 10/27 assessed barriers to and/or enablers of ART uptake. The pooled ART uptake was 53% (95% CI: 42, 63%) and between-study heterogeneity was high (I2 = 99.71%, p < 0.001). WHO guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities and sample size were associated with heterogeneity. There were statistically significant subgroup effects with high heterogeneity after subgroup analyses by region, guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities, study design, and sample size. The most frequently described socioeconomic and individual level barriers to ART uptake were stigma, low income, and younger age group. The most frequently reported health system-related barriers were limited staff capacity, shortages in medical supplies, lack of infrastructure, and poor adherence to or lack of treatment guidelines. Clinical barriers included intolerance to anti-TB drugs, fear of drug toxicity, and contraindications to antiretrovirals. Health system enablers included good management of the procurement, supply, and dispensation chain; convenience and accessibility of treatment services; and strong staff capacity. Availability of psychosocial support was the most frequently reported enabler of uptake at the community level. Conclusions In SSA, programmes integrating treatment of TB and HIV do not, in general, achieve high ART uptake but we observe a net improvement in uptake after WHO issued the 2012 guidelines on collaborative TB/HIV activities. The recurrence of specific modifiable system-level and patient-level factors in the literature reveals key intervention points to improve ART uptake in these programmes. Systematic review registration: CRD42019131933. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T13:23:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a4ae856f3d504a659d2009de45fae44a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T13:23:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | AIDS Research and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj.art-a4ae856f3d504a659d2009de45fae44a2022-12-21T22:59:53ZengBMCAIDS Research and Therapy1742-64052021-11-0118111710.1186/s12981-021-00395-3Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysisBenjamin Momo Kadia0Christian Akem Dimala1Noah T. Fongwen2Adrian D. Smith3Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical MedicineDepartment of Medicine, Reading Hospital, Tower Health SystemDepartment of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineNuffield Department of Population Health, University of OxfordAbstract Introduction Programmes that merge management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) aim to improve HIV/TB co-infected patients’ access to comprehensive treatment. However, several reports from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) indicate suboptimal uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) even after integration of HIV and TB treatment. This study assessed ART uptake, its barriers and enablers in programmes integrating TB and HIV treatment in SSA. Method A systematic review was performed. Seven databases were searched for eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published from March 2004 through July 2019. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to obtain pooled estimates of ART uptake. A thematic approach was used to analyse and synthesise data on barriers and enablers. Results Of 5139 references identified, 27 were included in the review: 23/27 estimated ART uptake and 10/27 assessed barriers to and/or enablers of ART uptake. The pooled ART uptake was 53% (95% CI: 42, 63%) and between-study heterogeneity was high (I2 = 99.71%, p < 0.001). WHO guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities and sample size were associated with heterogeneity. There were statistically significant subgroup effects with high heterogeneity after subgroup analyses by region, guideline on collaborative TB/HIV activities, study design, and sample size. The most frequently described socioeconomic and individual level barriers to ART uptake were stigma, low income, and younger age group. The most frequently reported health system-related barriers were limited staff capacity, shortages in medical supplies, lack of infrastructure, and poor adherence to or lack of treatment guidelines. Clinical barriers included intolerance to anti-TB drugs, fear of drug toxicity, and contraindications to antiretrovirals. Health system enablers included good management of the procurement, supply, and dispensation chain; convenience and accessibility of treatment services; and strong staff capacity. Availability of psychosocial support was the most frequently reported enabler of uptake at the community level. Conclusions In SSA, programmes integrating treatment of TB and HIV do not, in general, achieve high ART uptake but we observe a net improvement in uptake after WHO issued the 2012 guidelines on collaborative TB/HIV activities. The recurrence of specific modifiable system-level and patient-level factors in the literature reveals key intervention points to improve ART uptake in these programmes. Systematic review registration: CRD42019131933.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-021-00395-3Integrated treatmentTuberculosisHIVUptakeBarriersEnablers |
| spellingShingle | Benjamin Momo Kadia Christian Akem Dimala Noah T. Fongwen Adrian D. Smith Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis AIDS Research and Therapy Integrated treatment Tuberculosis HIV Uptake Barriers Enablers |
| title | Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | Barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated HIV and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | barriers to and enablers of uptake of antiretroviral therapy in integrated hiv and tuberculosis treatment programmes in sub saharan africa a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Integrated treatment Tuberculosis HIV Uptake Barriers Enablers |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-021-00395-3 |
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