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The 2015 WHO recommendation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all immediately following HIV diagnosis is partially based on the anticipated impact on HIV incidence in the surrounding population. We investigated this approach in a cluster-randomised trial in a high HIV prevalence setting in rural KwaZulu-Natal. We present findings from the first phase of the trial and report on uptake of home-based HIV testing, linkage to care, uptake of ART, and community attitudes about ART. Between 9 March 2012 and 22 May 2014, five clusters in the intervention arm (immediate ART offered to all HIV-positive adults) and five clusters in the control arm (ART offered according to national guidelines, i.e., CD4 count ≤ 350 cells/μl) contributed to the first phase of the trial. Households were visited every 6 mo. Following informed consent and administration of a study questionnaire, each resident adult (≥16 y) was asked for a finger-prick blood sample, which was used to estimate HIV prevalence, and offered a rapid HIV test using a serial HIV testing algorithm. All HIV-positive adults were referred to the trial clinic in their cluster. Those not linked to care 3 mo after identification were contacted by a linkage-to-care team. Study procedures were not blinded. In all, 12,894 adults were registered as eligible for participation (5,790 in intervention arm; 7,104 in control arm), of whom 9,927 (77.0%) were contacted at least once during household visits. HIV status was ever ascertained for a total of 8,233/9,927 (82.9%), including 2,569 ascertained as HIV-positive (942 tested HIV-positive and 1,627 reported a known HIV-positive status). Of the 1,177 HIV-positive individuals not previously in care and followed for at least 6 mo in the trial, 559 (47.5%) visited their cluster trial clinic within 6 mo. In the intervention arm, 89% (194/218) initiated ART within 3 mo of their first clinic visit. In the control arm, 42.3% (83/196) had a CD4 count ≤ 350 cells/μl at first visit, of whom 92.8% initiated ART within 3 mo. Regarding attitudes about ART, 93% (8,802/9,460) of participants agreed with the statement that they would want to start ART as soon as possible if HIV-positive. Estimated baseline HIV prevalence was 30.5% (2,028/6,656) (95% CI 25.0%, 37.0%). HIV prevalence, uptake of home-based HIV testing, linkage to care within 6 mo, and initiation of ART within 3 mo in those with CD4 count ≤ 350 cells/μl did not differ significantly between the intervention and control clusters. Selection bias related to noncontact could not be entirely excluded. Home-based HIV testing was well received in this rural population, although men were less easily contactable at home; immediate ART was acceptable, with good viral suppression and retention. However, only about half of HIV-positive people accessed care within 6 mo of being identified, with nearly two-thirds accessing care by 12 mo. The observed delay in linkage to care would limit the individual and public health ART benefits of universal testing and treatment in this population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01509508.

Previous studies in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals on thymidine analogue backbone antiretroviral therapy (ART) with either nevirapine or efavirenz have suggested poorer virological outcomes in the presence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR). We assessed the impact of PDR on virological suppression (VS; <50 copies/mL) in individuals prescribed primarily tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz in rural KwaZulu-Natal within a treatment-as-prevention trial. Among 1557 HIV-positive individuals who reported no prior ART at study entry and provided plasma samples, 1328 individuals with entry viral load (VL) >1000 copies/mL had next-generation sequencing (NGS) of the HIV pol gene with MiSeq technology. Results were obtained for 1148 individuals, and the presence of PDR was assessed at 5% and 20% detection thresholds. Virological outcome was assessed using Cox regression in 837 of 920 ART initiators with at least 1 follow-up VL after ART initiation. PDR prevalence was 9.5% (109/1148) and 12.8% (147/1148) at 20% and 5% thresholds, respectively. After a median of 1.36 years (interquartile range, 0.91-2.13), mostly on fixed-dose combination tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz, presence of both nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)/nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor PDR vs no PDR was associated with longer time to VS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.12-0.86), while there was no difference between those with only NNRTI PDR vs no PDR (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.82-1.34) at the 5% threshold. Similar differences were observed for mutations detected at the 20% threshold, although without statistical significance. NGS uncovered a high prevalence of PDR among participants enrolled in trial clinics in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Dual-class PDR to a mainly tenofovir/emtricitabine/efavirenz regimen was associated with poorer VS. However, there was no impact of NNRTI PDR alone. NCT01509508; South African National Clinical Trials Register: DOH-27-0512-3974.

Background Four large community-randomized trials examining universal testing and treatment (UTT) to reduce HIV transmission were conducted between 2012–2018 in Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and South Africa. In 2014, the UNAIDS 90–90-90 targets were adopted as a useful metric to monitor coverage. We systematically review the approaches used by the trials to measure intervention delivery, and estimate coverage against the 90–90-90 targets. We aim to provide in-depth understanding of the background contexts and complexities that affect estimation of population-level coverage related to the 90–90-90 targets. Methods Estimates were based predominantly on “process” data obtained during delivery of the interventions which included a combination of home-based and community-based services. Cascade coverage data included routine electronic health records, self-reported data, survey data, and active ascertainment of HIV viral load measurements in the field. Results The estimated total adult populations of trial intervention communities included in this study ranged from 4,290 (TasP) to 142,250 (Zambian PopART Arm-B). The estimated total numbers of PLHIV ranged from 1,283 (TasP) to 20,541 (Zambian PopART Arm-B). By the end of intervention delivery, the first-90 target (knowledge of HIV status among all PLHIV) was met by all the trials (89.2%-94.0%). Three of the four trials also achieved the second- and third-90 targets, and viral suppression in BCPP and SEARCH exceeded the UNAIDS target of 73%, while viral suppression in the Zambian PopART Arm-A and B communities was within a small margin (~ 3%) of the target. Conclusions All four UTT trials aimed to implement wide-scale testing and treatment for HIV prevention at population level and showed substantial increases in testing and treatment for HIV in the intervention communities. This study has not uncovered any one estimation approach which is superior, rather that several approaches are available and researchers or policy makers seeking to measure coverage should reflect on background contexts and complexities that affect estimation of population-level coverage in their specific settings. All four trials surpassed UNAIDS targets for universal testing in their intervention communities ahead of the 2020 milestone. All but one of the trials also achieved the 90–90 targets for treatment and viral suppression. UTT is a realistic option to achieve 95–95-95 by 2030 and fast-track the end of the HIV epidemic.

BackgroundJoint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has previously hypothesised that in sub-Saharan Africa, extreme weather/climate and HIV might be associated. A systematic review was conducted to summarise current evidence on the indirect associations between weather/climate variability and HIV-related measures (such as risk behaviours and access to care) in sub-Saharan Africa. This review does not assess environmental mediation of viral transmission.MethodsFive literature databases (Web of Science, PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Global Health) were searched for relevant qualitative and quantitative studies that contained data on associations between weather/climate variables (including extreme weather events and changes in precipitation and temperature) and HIV measures (including HIV risk behaviours and measures of HIV transmission and progression) in the general population of sub-Saharan Africa up to 6 April 2024. Results were summarised through narrative synthesis.ResultsOverall, 5853 non-duplicate papers were retrieved for abstract screening, with 57 studies selected for full-text screening. Of those, 20 studies (14 quantitative and 6 qualitative) were included in the review. Most studies suggested that weather/climate variability was associated with worsening of HIV-related outcome measures. Drought was the most frequently reported weather/climate exposure (12 studies in total), while HIV prevalence and antiretroviral therapy uptake were the most frequently reported HIV measures (10 and 9 studies, respectively). Few studies analysed data from longitudinal datasets and research gaps were identified on West and Central Africa, children and key populations such as female sex workers.ConclusionsDespite potential associations between weather/climate variability and HIV measures, primarily between droughts and HIV prevalence, there has been limited research published on the topic. The current evidence base is sparse, heterogeneous and insufficient to establish causality. The review highlighted the need for using longitudinal datasets to assess directionality and mediators of weather/climate-HIV relationships, while data on West and Central Africa, children and key populations should be incorporated in future research.

Background Currently recommended boosted protease-inhibitor (bPI) regimens may be associated with increased risk of cardiovascular or chronic kidney diseases; in addition, boosted regimens are particularly associated with drug-drug interactions. Since both cardiovascular and renal disease, and polypharmacy, are common in ageing people with HIV, there is a need for alternative efficacious regimens. bPI-based regimens are often the treatment of choice for individuals with pre-treatment or treatment-acquired resistance but it is plausible that carefully selected HIV-positive individuals with drug resistance, who are virologically suppressed on their current bPI regimen, could maintain virological efficacy when switched to bictegravir, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) fixed dose combination (FDC). Methods/design A phase IV, investigator-initiated, multicentre, open label pilot, randomised two-arm study to assess the safety and efficacy of switching from bPI regimen to B/F/TAF single tablet regimen in integrase inhibitor-naïve, virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1 infection harbouring drug resistance mutations. Eligible individuals will either continue on their bPI regimen or switch to B/F/TAF FDC. After 24 weeks, all participants in the bPI arm will be switched to B/F/TAF and followed for a further 24 weeks and all participants will be followed for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL at week 24 using pure virologic response whilst the secondary efficacy endpoint is the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL at Week 48. Other secondary outcome measures include between arm comparisons of drug resistance at virological failure, safety and tolerability and patient-reported outcome measures. Discussion We aim to provide preliminary evidence of the efficacy of switching to B/F/TAF in patients with virological suppression on a bPI-based regimen who harbour select drug resistance mutations. Trial registration ISRCTN 44453201 , registered 19 June 2019 and EudraCT 2018–004732-30.

This review provides a survey of computational methods generally used in the evaluation of the corrosion inhibition evaluation of metallic materials in various environments. Herein a general overview of corrosion inhibition is given, thereafter, a discussion of the most widely used computational methods is given which include; molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, Monte Carlo (MC) simulations, density functional theory (DFT), Semi-empirical methods and first-principles calculations and Ab initio (Hartree Fock) calculations. A comparison of comparative analysis of experimental and computational approaches in corrosion inhibition studies was given after which the prospects of the use of computational methods in corrosion science were discussed. Overall, each of these methods has its strengths and limitations, but when used in combination, they are capable of providing a holistic understanding of corrosion inhibition mechanisms.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has revolutionised the care of HIV-positive individuals resulting in marked decreases in morbidity and mortality, and markedly reduced transmission to sexual partners. However, these benefits can only be realised if individuals are aware of their HIV-positive status, initiated and retained on suppressive lifelong ART. Framed using the socio-ecological model, the present study explores factors contributing to poor ART uptake among community members despite high acceptance of HIV-testing within a Treatment as Prevention (TasP) trial. In this paper we identify barriers and facilitators to treatment across different levels of the socio-ecological framework covering individual, community and health system components. This research was embedded within a cluster-randomised trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01509508) of HIV treatment as Prevention in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Data were collected between January 2013 and July 2014 from resident community members. Ten participants contributed to repeat in-depth interviews whilst 42 participants took part in repeat focus group discussions. Data from individual interviews and focus group discussions were triangulated using community walks to give insights into community members' perception of the barriers and facilitators of ART uptake. We used thematic analysis guided by a socio-ecological framework to analyse participants' narratives from both individual interviews and focus group discussions. Barriers and facilitators operating at the individual, community and health system levels influence ART uptake. Stigma was an over-arching barrier, across all three levels and expressed variably as fear of HIV disclosure, concerns about segregated HIV clinical services and negative community religious perceptions. Other barriers were individual (substance misuse, fear of ART side effects), community (alternative health beliefs). Facilitators cited by participants included individual (expectations of improved health and longer life expectancy following ART, single tablet regimens), community (availability of ART in the community through mobile trial facilities) and health system factors (fast and efficient service provided by friendly staff). We identified multiple barriers to achieving universal ART uptake. To enhance uptake in HIV care services, and achieve the full benefits of ART requires interventions that tackle persistent HIV stigma, and offer people with HIV respectful, convenient and efficient services. These interventions require evaluation in appropriately designed studies.

Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) suppresses HIV viral load in all body compartments and so limits the risk of HIV transmission. It has been suggested that ART not only contributes to preventing transmission at individual but potentially also at population level. This trial aims to evaluate the effect of ART initiated immediately after identification/diagnosis of HIV-infected individuals, regardless of CD4 count, on HIV incidence in the surrounding population. The primary outcome of the overall trial will be HIV incidence over two years. Secondary outcomes will include i) socio-behavioural outcomes (acceptability of repeat HIV counselling and testing, treatment acceptance and linkage to care, sexual partnerships and quality of life); ii) clinical outcomes (mortality and morbidity, retention into care, adherence to ART, virologic failure and acquired HIV drug resistance), iii) cost-effectiveness of the intervention. The first phase will specifically focus on the trial’s secondary outcomes. Methods/design A cluster-randomised trial in 34 (2 × 17) clusters within a rural area of northern KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa), covering a total population of 34,000 inhabitants aged 16 years and above, of whom an estimated 27,200 would be HIV-uninfected at start of the trial. The first phase of the trial will include ten (2 × 5) clusters. Consecutive rounds of home-based HIV testing will be carried out. HIV-infected participants will be followed in dedicated trial clinics: in intervention clusters, they will be offered immediate ART initiation regardless of CD4 count and clinical stage; in control clusters they will be offered ART according to national treatment eligibility guidelines (CD4 <350 cells/μL, World Health Organisation stage 3 or 4 disease or multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis). Following proof of acceptability and feasibility from the first phase, the trial will be rolled out to further clusters. Discussion We aim to provide proof-of-principle evidence regarding the effectiveness of Treatment-as-Prevention in reducing HIV incidence at the population level. Data collected from the participants at home and in the clinics will inform understanding of socio-behavioural, economic and clinical impacts of the intervention as well as feasibility and generalizability. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01509508 ; South African Trial Register: DOH-27-0512-3974.

This research investigated radio refractivity impact on signal strength of mobile communication. The mobile communication signal strengths of two popular networks in Nigeria, 9Mobile and MTN, were considered. In the 2100 MHz-3 G band, 9Mobile transmits in the downlink spectrum of 2130.00–2140.00 MHz, while MTN transmits in the downlink spectrum of 2110.00–2120.00 MHz. Also, 9Mobile transmits in the downlink spectrum of 791–821 MHz in the 800 MHz band and 1805–1880 MHz in the 1800 MHz, while MTN transmits in the downlink spectrums of 2620–2690 MHz in the 2600 MHz band; all in the 4 G band. Using the instrument of a mobile station in each station (location) in some selected cities in southern Nigeria, the signal strengths were measured. A cell signal monitor (version 5.1.1) mobile application installed in an Android (transceiver) device (having two SIM slots) constituted the mobile station. To achieve high accuracy, there was a restriction in measuring transmission from specific cells. Hourly measurement of signal strengths was carried out and instantaneously corresponding weather parameters were recorded. Weather parameters for this investigation; atmospheric temperature and pressure; and relative humidity were excerpted online from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) hourly weather report for the various cities where the stations were situated. The hourly radio refractivity was computed using the 2015 International Telecommunication Union–Radio-communication sector (ITU-R) recommended model. Overall, the results indicate that there was no established linear relationship between signal strength and radio refractivity since the overall average R value is 0.0123691 and the overall average standard deviation of R values is 0.1112165. The inconsistencies in the linear relationships obtained from different locations and cells could be due to variations in topography, antenna properties, seasonal variations, wind and position, and distance of the receiver from the transmitter.