CROI 2016 Abstract eBook

Abstract Listing

Poster Abstracts

977 Effect of SMS, Phone-Call, and In-Person Reminders on Repeat HIV Test Uptake in Kenya Peter M. Mugo 1 ; ElizabethW.Wahome 1 ; Evanson Gichuru 1 ; Grace Mwashigadi 1 ; Alexander N.Thiong’o 1 ; Henrieke A. Prins 1 ;Tobias Rinke deWit 2 ; Susan M. Graham 3 ; Eduard J. Sanders 1 1 Kenya Med Rsr Inst, Kilifi, Kenya; 2 Amsterdam Inst for Global Hlth and Develop, Amsterdam, Netherlands; 3 Univ of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Background: Following HIV-1 acquisition, most individuals develop an acute retroviral syndrome and a majority seek care. Available antibody testing cannot detect an acute HIV infection (AHI), but repeat testing after 2-4 weeks will detect seroconversion. This study assessed the effect of SMS, phone-call and in-person reminders on repeat HIV test uptake among patients evaluated for AHI. Methods: The study was a non-blinded randomized control trial among patients 18-29 years of age seeking care at health facilities and community pharmacies in Coastal Kenya (NCT01876199, ClinicalTrials.gov). At the initial care-seeking visit, participants were tested for HIV antibodies and p24 antigen. Locator information included mobile phone number and home or workplace address. All participants who tested antibody and antigen negative were invited to report for repeat testing after two weeks. Participants were randomized 1:1 to either standard appointment (dated appointment card) or enhanced appointment which comprised a dated appointment card plus SMS and phone call reminders or in-person reminders (home or workplace visits by a fieldworker) for participants without a phone. Reminders were sent a few days before the appointment date and after a missed appointment by a single fieldworker. Phone reminders were sent using a basic feature phone. The primary outcome measure was visit attendance, i.e., the proportion of participants attending the repeat test visit. Factors associated with visit attendance were examined by bivariable and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 410 participants were randomized. Visit attendance was 41% (85/207) for the standard group and 59% (117/199) for the enhanced group (odds ratio 2.0, p<0.001). There was no difference in visit attendance between participants in the phone reminders versus the in-person reminders sub-groups (58% vs. 60%, p=0.8). In the phone reminders sub-group. Higher attendance was independently associated with older age, enrolling health facility and report of transactional sex in past 4 weeks (Table). Lower attendance was associated with reporting >1 sex partner in past 2 months. Conclusions: Appointment reminders through SMS messages, phone calls and in-person contacts doubled the odds of repeat HIV test uptake. This low-cost intervention could help patients suspected of AHI report for repeat HIV testing 2-4 weeks after care seeking in settings that have no ability to test for p24 antigen or RNA.

Poster Abstracts

978 Effective, High-Yield HIV Testing for Partners of Newly Diagnosed Persons in Tanzania

Marya Plotkin 1 ; Catherine Kahabuka 2 ; Mbaraka Amuri 3 ; Mustafa Njozi 3 ;Werner Maokola 4 ; Erick Mlanga 5 ; Mary Drake 3 ; Kelly Curran 6 ; Charlene Brown 7 ;VincentWong 7 1 Jhpiego, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; 2 Kahabuka Consulting, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 3 Jhpiego, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 4 Natl AIDS Control Prog, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 5 US Agency for Intl Develop-Tanzania, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 6 Jhpiego, Baltimore, MD, USA; 7 US Agency for Intl Develop, Washington, DC, USA Background: With UNAIDS’s 90-90-90 goal, high yield approaches to HIV testing and counseling (HTC) are critical. Partner tracing, where sexual partners of HIV-diagnosed clients are contacted by their partner or a health provider, is effective in identifying persons with undiagnosed HIV infection. A Malawi study found a 64% infection rate among sexual partners of index clients; and in a Cameroon study half (50.1%) were infected. Partner services for STI prevention have been utilized in the US and Europe, but this approach is underutilized in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study evaluated feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of partner tracing in facility-based HTC in Tanzania.

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CROI 2016