During public health crises, people living with HIV (PLWH) may become disengaged from care. The goal of this study was to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent flooding disasters on HIV care delivery in western Kenya. We conducted ten individual in-depth interviews with HIV providers across four health facilities. We used an iterative and integrated inductive and deductive data analysis approach to generate four themes. First, increased structural interruptions created exacerbating strain on health facilities. Second, there was increased physical and psychosocial burnout among providers. Third, patient uptake of services along the HIV continuum decreased, particularly among vulnerable patients. Finally, existing community-based programs and teleconsultations could be adapted to provide differentiated HIV care. Community-centric care programs, with an emphasis on overcoming the social, economic, and structural barriers will be crucial to ensure optimal care and limit the impact of public health disruptions on HIV care globally.

Serum vitamin D status exerts effects on glucose-insulin-homeostatic states underlying Diabetes-Mellitus, Type 2 (T2DM). This has been described in white and Asian population where low Vitamin D levels predicted future impairments in beta cell function and worsening of insulin resistance. This study aimed to examine the relationship between serum vitamin D, insulin resistance and beta cell function in a sub population of black Kenyan T2DM patients. The primary objective was to determine the levels of serum 25 hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D, and estimate the insulin resistance, and beta cell function among T2DM patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). This was a cross sectional study. 124 T2DM patients attending the MTRH Diabetes clinic between February and May 2016 were enrolled. Patients on insulin therapy and/or thiazolidinediones were excluded. Anthropometric, clinical and demographic data was obtained. Samples were drawn for estimation of serum 25-OH vitamin D, fasting insulin levels and fasting blood glucose levels. HOMA (Homeostatic model of assessment) model was used to estimate Beta cell secretion (HOMA-B) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR); while the Disposition index {(DI) hyperbola product of insulin sensitivity (1/HOMA-IR) and beta cell secretion} was used to estimate the beta cell function. The relationships between serum vitamin D, insulin resistance and beta cell function were explored using a linear regression model. The study participants had a mean age of 56.2 (± 9.2) years, and a mean BMI of 26.9 kg/m2 (4.3). Forty nine percent (n = 61) were males. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 71.1% (n = 88) of the respondents. Relatively low levels of insulin resistance and higher levels of beta cell dysfunction were observed {median HOMA-IR of 2.3 (0.7, 6.5) and Disposition Index (DI) of 25.5 (14.3, 47.2)}. Vitamin D levels exhibited a low positive correlation with DI [r = 0.22 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.37)], but was not significantly correlated with HOMA-IR [r = 0.07(95% CI: − 0.11, 0.25)]. These results indicate that beta cell dysfunction rather than insulin resistance as the predominant defect among black T2DM patients seeking care at the MTRH diabetes clinic. Vitamin D deficiency is also prevalent among them and exhibits a low positive correlation with beta cell dysfunction. There was no correlation observed between Vitamin D deficiency and insulin resistance.

Objective To describe the patterns and burden of neurological and neurosurgical disorders at a national tertiary level referral hospital in western Kenya. Methods We conducted a three-month period prevalence study. We recruited consecutive adult patients seeking neurological-neurosurgical care in both inpatient and outpatient settings at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. Results 833 participants were included. The age range was between 19 year and 99 years (mean age = 45.3 years). The most common diagnoses among neurology inpatients were meningitis (12%), ischemic stroke (11.0%) and epilepsy/seizure (6.7%). Among neurology outpatients, epilepsy (35.1%) and ischemic stroke (18.8%) were the most common diagnoses. The most common neurosurgery inpatient diagnosis was hemorrhagic stroke (16.3%) and among outpatients, the most common diagnoses were traumatic brain injury (17.4%) and hemorrhagic stroke (16.3%). Overall, 471 (56.5%) patients underwent HIV testing, of which, 89 (18.9%) were HIV positive and 382 (81.1%) were HIV negative. Thirty-one inpatient deaths (male 58%), attributable to neurological and neurosurgical disorders, occurred during the study period. Meningitis was the most common cause of death. Conclusions The findings suggest that meningitis, stroke, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury were the most common diagnosis. More resources and efforts should be directed towards prevention, diagnosis and management of these conditions in the region.

IntroductionIn Kenya, distance to health facilities, inefficient vertical care delivery and limited financial means are barriers to retention in HIV care. Furthermore, the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people living with HIV complicates chronic disease treatment and strains traditional care delivery models. Potential strategies for improving HIV/NCD treatment outcomes are differentiated care, community-based care and microfinance (MF).Methods and analysisWe will use a cluster randomised trial to evaluate integrated community-based (ICB) care incorporated into MF groups in medium and high HIV prevalence areas in western Kenya. We will conduct baseline assessments with n=900 HIV positive members of 40 existing MF groups. Group clusters will be randomised to receive either (1) ICB or (2) standard of care (SOC). The ICB intervention will include: (1) clinical care visits during MF group meetings inclusive of medical consultations, NCD management, distribution of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and NCD medications, and point-of-care laboratory testing; (2) peer support for ART adherence and (3) facility referrals as needed. MF groups randomised to SOC will receive regularly scheduled care at a health facility. Findings from the two trial arms will be compared with follow-up data from n=300 matched controls. The primary outcome will be VS at 18 months. Secondary outcomes will be retention in care, absolute mean change in systolic blood pressure and absolute mean change in HbA1c level at 18 months. We will use mediation analysis to evaluate mechanisms through which MF and ICB care impact outcomes and analyse incremental cost-effectiveness of the intervention in terms of cost per HIV suppressed person-time, cost per patient retained in care and cost per disability-adjusted life-year saved.Ethics and disseminationThe Moi University Institutional Research and Ethics Committee approved this study (IREC#0003054). We will share data via the Brown University Digital Repository and disseminate findings via publication.Trial registration numberNCT04417127.

As coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) restrictions upend the community bonds that have enabled African communities to thrive in the face of numerous challenges, it is vital that the gains made in community-based healthcare are preserved by adapting our approaches. Instead of reversing the many gains made through locally driven development partnerships with international funding agencies for other viral diseases like HIV, we must use this opportunity to adapt the many lessons learned to address the burden of Covid-19. Programs like the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare are currently leveraging widely available technologies in Africa to prevent patients from experiencing significant interruptions in care as the healthcare system adjusts to the challenges presented by Covid-19. These approaches are designed to preserve social contact while incorporating physical distancing. The gains and successes made through approaches like group-based medical care must not only continue but can help expand upon the extraordinary success of programs like President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.

Diabetes mellitus affects over 463 million individuals worldwide. Religious activities such as the Hajj pilgrimage have a major impact on patients with diabetes mellitus, including increasing the risk of hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia. This increased risk is due to dietary changes and intense physical activity during pilgrimage while being on antidiabetic medications. Approximately 20% of the pilgrims with underlying illnesses who visit Mecca are diabetic, and complications, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, nonketotic hyperosmolar state, and fatigue/unconsciousness due to hypoglycaemia, have been observed among these patients. Diabetic patients are also at a high risk for foot complications and infections. To avoid any aggravation of the diabetes, a complete biochemical evaluation of the patient must be conducted before Hajj, and the patients must be provided contextualized educational guidance to avert these potential health challenges. This counselling should include the importance of

Background: The Harambee Study is a cluster randomized trial in western Kenya that tests the effect, mechanisms, and cost-effectiveness of integrating community-based HIV and non-communicable disease (NCD) care with group microfinance (MF) on HIV treatment outcomes. This paper documents the formative work to: (1) identify, enumerate, and characterize existing community-based microfinance groups to refine the study’s eligibility criteria, and (2) elicit support from multi-sectoral stakeholders in preparation for trial start. Methods: This mixed methods formative research took place between November 2019 and February 2020 in western Kenya. Surveys were administered to 115 group leaders of community-based MF groups. Field notes and GPS coordinates of group meeting locations and HIV healthcare facilities were also taken. A further 28 in-person meetings and two workshops involving stakeholders from multiple sectors of the health system took place throughout the formative phase. Quantitative survey data was analyzed using STATA IC/13. Longitude and latitude coordinates were mapped to County boundaries using Esri ArcMap. Qualitative data obtained from the meetings and field notes were analyzed thematically.Results: A total of 105 community-based microfinance groups were reached and 77 were eligible for the study. Of the eligible groups, we found differences in terms of definition of active membership, microfinance models, meeting location, and meeting frequency. Despite these differences, all the groups had an annual cycle period. Predominant themes emerging from the minutes and field notes revealed enthusiasm and support for the intervention among key stakeholders. Key stakeholders expressed a desire to have interventions integrated into the AMPATH care model for sustainability after the study period. Continuous engagement of various stakeholders, collaboration on various aspects of the study, identification of areas that could potentially lead to conflict, and overall increased transparency were identified as crucial to this integration.Conclusions: For randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in rural communities, formative research is essential for pre-determining eligibility, mapping implementation sites and eliciting buy-in from community leaders. Adaptations identified from formative work should be addressed prior to study start.Trial registration: NCT04417127. Registered 4 June 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https:// www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04417127

Background The Harambee study is a cluster randomized trial in Western Kenya that tests the effect, mechanisms, and cost-effectiveness of integrating community-based HIV and non-communicable disease care within microfinance groups on chronic disease treatment outcomes. This paper documents the stages of our feasibility study conducted in preparation for the Harambee trial, which include (1) characterizing the target population and gauging recruitment capacity, (2) determining community acceptability of the integrated intervention and study procedures, and (3) identifying key implementation considerations prior to study start. Methods Feasibility research took place between November 2019 and February 2020 in Western Kenya. Mixed methods data collection included surveys administered to 115 leaders of 105 community-based microfinance groups, 7 in-person meetings and two workshops with stakeholders from multiple sectors of the health system, and ascertainment of field notes and geographic coordinates for group meeting locations and HIV healthcare facilities. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using STATA IC/13. Longitude and latitude coordinates were mapped to county boundaries using Esri ArcMap. Qualitative data obtained from stakeholder meetings and field notes were analyzed thematically. Results Of the 105 surveyed microfinance groups, 77 met eligibility criteria. Eligible groups had been in existence from 6 months to 18 years and had an average of 22 members. The majority (64%) of groups had at least one member who owned a smartphone. The definition of “active” membership and model of saving and lending differed across groups. Stakeholders perceived the community-based intervention and trial procedures to be acceptable given the minimal risks to participants and the potential to improve HIV treatment outcomes while facilitating care integration. Potential challenges identified by stakeholders included possible conflicts between the trial and existing community-based interventions, fear of group disintegration prior to trial end, clinicians’ inability to draw blood for viral load testing in the community, and deviations from standard care protocols. Conclusions This study revealed that it was feasible to recruit the number of microfinance groups necessary to ensure that our clinical trial was sufficient powered. Elicitation of stakeholder feedback confirmed that the planned intervention was largely acceptable and was critical to identifying challenges prior to implementation. Trial registration The original trial was prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04417127) on 4 June 2020.