Retention of adults from fishing communities in an HIV vaccine preparedness study in Masaka, Uganda

Abstract

IntroductionPeople living in fishing communities around Lake Victoria may be suitable for enrolment in HIV prevention trials because of high HIV incidence. We assessed the ability to recruit and retain individuals from fishing communities into an HIV vaccine preparedness cohort study in Masaka, Uganda.MethodsHIV high risk, sero-negative adults (18–49 years) were identified from four fishing villages bordering Lake Victoria through door-to-door HIV counselling and testing (HCT). Interested persons were referred for screening, enrolment, and quarterly follow-up visits at a study clinic located approximately 30–40 kilometres away. Repeat HCT, HIV risk assessment, and evaluation and treatment for sexually transmitted infections were provided. Rates of and factors associated with study dropout were assessed using Poisson regression models.ResultsA total of 940 participants were screened between January 2012 and February 2015, of whom 654 were considered for the analysis. Over a two-year follow-up period, 197 (30.1%) participants dropped out of the study over 778.9 person-years, a dropout rate of 25.3 / 100 person-years of observation. Dropout was associated with being female (aRR = 1.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12–2.18), being 18–24 years (aRR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.03–2.60) or being 25–34 years (aRR = 1.63; 95% CI 1.04–2.55) compared to being 35+ years; having no education (aRR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.23–3.31); living in the community for less than one year (aRR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.46–3.38), or 1–5 years (aRR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.16–2.45), compared to more than five years.ConclusionsOur results suggest that individuals from fishing communities can be recruited and retained in longitudinal studies; however, intensified participant tracing may be necessary for women, younger volunteers, those who are less educated and new residents.

Feasibility of establishing an HIV vaccine preparedness cohort in a population of the Uganda Police Force: Lessons learnt from a prospective study

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Phylogenetic Networks and Parameters Inferred from HIV Nucleotide Sequences of High-Risk and General Population Groups in Uganda: Implications for Epidemic Control

“…HIV partial pol sequences (n = 2017) from the three populations (FFCs, FSWs and GP) were analysed by phylogenetic methods. Sequences (n = 728) from the FFCs included: the HIV Combination Intervention (HIVCOMB) [ 31 ] (n = 365), Masaka [ 32 ] (n = 210), The Lake Victoria Island Intervention Study on Worms and Allergy-Related diseases (LaVIISWA) [ 33 , 34 ] (n = 110) and a cohort of recently infected individuals (estimated sero-conversion of 6 months) [ 22 ] (n = 43). Sequences (n = 592) from FSWs included those from the good health for women’s project (GHWP) [ 3 , 8 , 9 ] that comprised women above 18 years of age, involved in commercial sex work and/or high-risk sexual behavior in Kampala.…”

Predictors of retention in the prospective HIV prevention OKAPI cohort in Kinshasa

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