Community and service provider views to inform the 2013 WHO consolidated antiretroviral guidelines: key findings and lessons learnt.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate community and healthcare worker (HCW) values and preferences on key topics to inform the development of the 2013 WHO consolidated guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in low and middle income countries.


METHODS
Cross-sectional e-survey and e-forum discussion; focus group discussions (FGDs)


METHODS
: Data were collected on community perspectives regarding a range of potential clinical and operational recommendations in the 2013 guidelines between November 2012 and January 2013 through an e-survey (n = 1088) and e-forum (n = 955). Additional FGDs were held with people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Malawi and Uganda (n = 88) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) use among pregnant women. Two surveys were also undertaken on similar topics covered in the e-survey for health care workers caring for adults (n = 98) and children (n = 348).


RESULTS
There were 1088 e-survey respondents from 117 countries: of whom 37.7% (298/791) were females, 49.9% (431/864) PLHIV, and 20.9% (174/831) from low-income countries. The proportion of e-survey respondents who supported raising the CD4 T-cell threshold for ART initiation in adults from 350 to 500 cells/μl was 51.0% (355/696), and regardless of CD4 T-cell count for all pregnant females 89.8% (607/676), HIV serodiscordant partners 71.9% (486/676), and all children on diagnosis of infection 47.4% (212/447). E-survey respondents strongly supported discontinuing use of stavudine (72.7%, 416/572), task-shifting/sharing from doctors to nurses (75.2%, 275/365) and from nurses to community health workers (71.1%, 261/367) as strategies to expand access to HIV testing, care, and treatment. Focus group discussion respondents identified service capacity, and social and legal concerns as key considerations influencing the decisions of women living with HIV to continue ART after the risk of vertical transmission has passed. Key lessons learnt in these consultations included the need for piloting and validation of questions; sufficient time to adequately disseminate the survey; and consideration of using FGDs and mobile phone technology to improve participation of people with limited internet access.


CONCLUSIONS
Community participation in guideline development processes is important to ensure that their perspectives are considered in the resulting recommendations. Communities should be actively involved in the adaptation, implementation, and accountability processes related to the guidelines.
aGlobal Network of People Living with HIV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands bThe International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Hove, United Kingdom cSocial Justice 4 All, Amsterdam, The Netherlands dUNAIDS, Geneva, Switzerland eHIV department, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Amy C
AC
Hsieh
Gitau
G
Mburu
Adam B J
AB
Garner
Anja
A
Teltschik
Mala
M
Ram
Christoforos
C
Mallouris
Martina
M
Penazzato
Nathan
N
Shaffer
Philippa J
PJ
Easterbrook
Andrew
A
Ball
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents