Objectives The Malawi antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme uses the public health approach to identify ART failure. Advanced disease progression may occur before switching to second-line ART. We report outcomes for patients evaluated and initiated on second-line treatment in Malawi. Methods Patients meeting Malawi immunological or clinical criteria for ART failure in two large urban ART clinics were evaluated for virological failure (viral load >400 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) and, if failure was confirmed, initiated on second-line ART (zidovudine/lamivudine/tenofovir/lopinavir/ritonavir). Patients were seen monthly and laboratory evaluations were performed quarterly and as needed. We performed logistic regression modelling to identify factors associated with mortality, mortality or new HIV illnesses, and virological suppression at 12 months. Results Of the 109 patients with confirmed virological failure, five patients died prior to initiation, three declined switching and 101 patients initiated second-line treatment. Over 12 months, 10 additional patients died, 34 patients experienced 45 HIV-related events, and 19 patients experienced grade 3 or 4 toxicities. Among survivors, 85.2% had HIV-1 RNA<400 copies/mL at 12 months. While power to distinguish differences was limited, response rates were similar regardless of baseline resistance level. The median CD4 count increase was 142 cells/μL. World Health Organization clinical failure at baseline [odds ratio (OR) 3.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–10.59] and body mass index <18.5 (OR 4.43; 95% CI 1.15–17.12) were risk factors for death. Baseline CD4 count <50 cells/μL was associated with increased risk for death or morbidity at 12 months (OR 2.57; 95% CI 1.01–6.52). Conclusions Second-line treatment in Malawi was associated with substantial mortality, morbidity and toxicity but, among survivors, virological outcomes were favourable.

AimThere is a high burden of oesophageal cancer in Malawi with dismal outcomes. It is not known whether environmental factors are associated with oesophageal cancer. Without knowing this critical information, prevention interventions are not possible. The purpose of this analysis was to explore environmental factors associated with oesophageal cancer in the Malawian context. MethodsA hospital-based case-control study of the association between environmental risk factors and oesophageal cancer was conducted at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Ninety-six persons with squamous cell carcinoma and 180 controls were enrolled and analyzed. These two groups were compared for a range of environmental risk factors, using logistic regression models. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. ResultsFirewood cooking, cigarette smoking, and use of white maize flour all had strong associations with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus, with adjusted odds ratios of 12.6 (95% CI: 4.2-37.7), 5.4 (95% CI: 2.0-15.2) and 6.6 (95% CI: 2.3-19.3), respectively. ConclusionsSeveral modifiable risk factors were found to be strongly associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Research is needed to confirm these associations and then determine how to intervene on these modifiable risk factors in the Malawian context.

Scale-up of viral load (VL) monitoring for HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a priority in many resource-limited settings, and ART providers are critical to effective program implementation. We explored provider-perceived barriers and facilitators of VL monitoring. We interviewed all providers (n=17) engaged in a public health evaluation of dried blood spots for VL monitoring at five ART clinics in Malawi. All ART clinics were housed within district hospitals. We grouped themes at patient, provider, facility, system, and policy levels. Providers emphasized their desire for improved ART monitoring strategies, and frustration in response to restrictive policies for determining which patients were eligible to receive VL monitoring. Although many providers pled for expansion of monitoring to include all persons on ART, regardless of time on ART, the most salient provider-perceived barrier to VL monitoring implementation was the pressure of work associated with monitoring activities. The work burden was exacerbated by inefficient data management systems, highlighting a critical interaction between provider-, facility-, and system-level factors. Lack of integration between laboratory and clinical systems complicated the process for alerting providers when results were available, and these communication gaps were intensified by poor facility connectivity. Centralized second-line ART distribution was also noted as a barrier: providers reported that the time and expenses required for patients to collect second-line ART frequently obstructed referral. However, provider empowerment emerged as an unexpected facilitator of VL monitoring. For many providers, this was the first time they used an objective marker of ART response to guide clinical management. Providers’ knowledge of a patient's virological status increased confidence in adherence counseling and clinical decision making. Results from our study provide unique insight into provider perceptions of VL monitoring and indicate the importance of policies responsive to individual and environmental challenges of VL monitoring program implementation. Findings may inform scale-up by helping policymakers identify strategies to improve feasibility and sustainability of VL monitoring.

Background The Pox-Protein Public-Private Partnership is performing a suite of trials to evaluate the bivalent subtype C envelope protein (TV1.C and 1086.C glycoprotein 120) vaccine in the context of different adjuvants and priming agents for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) prevention. Methods In the HIV Vaccine Trials Network 111 trial, we compared the safety and immunogenicity of DNA prime followed by DNA/protein boost with DNA/protein coadministration injected intramuscularly via either needle/syringe or a needle-free injection device (Biojector). One hundred thirty-two healthy, HIV-1–uninfected adults were enrolled from Zambia, South Africa, and Tanzania and were randomized to 1 of 6 arms: DNA prime, protein boost by needle/syringe; DNA and protein coadministration by needle/syringe; placebo by needle/syringe; DNA prime, protein boost with DNA given by Biojector; DNA and protein coadministration with DNA given by Biojector; and placebo by Biojector. Results All vaccinations were safe and well tolerated. DNA and protein coadministration was associated with increased HIV-1 V1/V2 antibody response rate, a known correlate of decreased HIV-1 infection risk. DNA administration by Biojector elicited significantly higher CD4+ T-cell response rates to HIV envelope protein than administration by needle/syringe in the prime/boost regimen (85.7% vs 55.6%; P = .02), but not in the coadministration regimen (43.3% vs 48.3%; P = .61). Conclusions Both the prime/boost and coadministration regimens are safe and may be promising for advancement into efficacy trials depending on whether cellular or humoral responses are desired. Clinical Trials Registration South African National Clinical Trials Registry (application 3947; Department of Health [DoH] no. DOH-27–0715–4917) and ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02997969).

Less than 2% of Malawian women use long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). We describe experiences of Malawian family planning providers, focusing on LARC. We conducted a mixed-methods study using questionnaires and focus group discussions with providers in Lilongwe. Data were analyzed separately and triangulated. Most (58%) participants saw over 30 patients daily. Only 19% had ever inserted IUC. Qualitative data were complementary; participants noted that LARC provision was important, though hindered by lack of experienced providers, work burden, and low demand. Future efforts to improve LARC access in Lilongwe must address both supply and demand-side barriers. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 62-71).Keywords: Family planning, long-acting reversible contraception, Malawi. RésuméMoins de 2% des femmes malawiennes utilisent la contraception de longue durée d'action réversible (CLDR). Nous décrivons les expériences des prestataires de planification familiale malawienne, en nous concentrant sur CLDR. Nous avons effectué une étude des méthodes mixtes à l'aide des questionnaires et des discussions de groupes cibles avec les fournisseurs à Lilongwe. Les données ont été analysées séparément et ont été triangulées. La plupart (58%) des participants ont vu plus de 30 patientes par jour. Seulement 19% avaient déjà inséré DIU. Les données qualitatives etaient complémentaires; les participants ont noté que la provision de la CLDR était importante, quoique entravée par le manque de fournisseurs expérimentés, la charge de travail, et la faible demande. Les futurs efforts pour améliorer l'accès à la CLDR à Lilongwe doit s'occuper des deux barrières de coté de l'offre et de la demande. (Afr J Reprod Health 2016; 20[2]: 62-71).Mots-clés: planification familiale, contraception de longue durée d'action réversible, Malawi.