IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Siika, Abraham"

Browsing by Author "Siika, Abraham"

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The Academic Model Providing Access To Healthcare (AMPATH) in Kenya
(Global Livestock CRSP, UC Davis, 2008-11) Nyandiko, Winstone; Siika, Abraham; Ernst, Judith A.; Ettyang, Grace; Neumann, Charlotte; Yiannoutsos, Constantin
In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 28 million people are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In 2001, Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya joined with Kenya’s second national referral hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Indiana University (IU) to establish the Academic Model Providing Access To Healthcare (AMPATH). AMPATH’s missions were to (1) provide high-quality patient care; (2) educate patients and health care providers; and (3) establish a laboratory for clinical research in HIV/AIDS (http://medicine.iupui.edu/kenya/hiv.aids.html). Leveraging the power of an academic medical partnership, AMPATH has quickly become one of the largest and most comprehensive HIV/AIDS control systems in sub-Saharan Africa, providing a comprehensive system of care that has been described as a model of sustainable development (Tobias, 2006). Delivery of services occurs in the public sector through hospitals and health centers run by Kenya’s Ministry of Health. AMPATH currently implements prevention activities that touch the lives of millions of persons in a wide geographic area. The research arm of AMPATH, created to facilitate and manage the international research agenda being generated by Kenyan and US faculty, includes the Global Livestock CRSP’s HIV Nutrition Project (HNP), “Increasing Animal Source Foods in Diets of HIV-infected Kenyan Women and Their Children,” which is a collaborative initiative between AMPATH and faculty from Moi University, Indiana University and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Assessing HIV-infected patient retention in a program of differentiated care in sub-Saharan Africa: a G-estimation approach
(De Gruyter, 2023-09-18) Yiannoutsos, Constantin T.; Wools-Kaloustian, Kara; Musick, Beverly S.; Kosgei, Rose; Kimaiyo, Sylvester; Siika, Abraham; Biostatistics and Health Data Science, Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Differentiated care delivery aims to simplify care of people living with HIV, reflect their preferences, reduce burdens on the healthcare system, maintain care quality and preserve resources. However, assessing program effectiveness using observational data is difficult due to confounding by indication and randomized trials may be infeasible. Also, benefits can reach patients directly, through enrollment in the program, and indirectly, by increasing quality of and accessibility to care. Low-risk express care (LREC), the program under evaluation, is a nurse-centered model which assigns patients stable on ART to a nurse every two months and a clinician every third visit, reducing annual clinician visits by two thirds. Study population is comprised of 16,832 subjects from 15 clinics in Kenya. We focus on patient retention in care based on whether the LREC program is available at a clinic and whether the patient is enrolled in LREC. We use G-estimation to assess the effect on retention of two “strategies”: (i) program availability but no enrollment; (ii) enrollment at an available program; versus no program availability. Compared to no availability, LREC results in a non-significant increase in patient retention, among patients not enrolled in the program (indirect effect), while enrollment in LREC is associated with a significant extension of the time retained in care (direct effect). G-estimation provides an analytical framework useful to the assessment of similar programs using observational data.
Building Comprehensive and Sustainable Health Informatics Institutions in Developing Countries: Moi University Experience
(IOS, 2015) Were, Martin C.; Siika, Abraham; Ayuo, Paul O.; Atwoli, Lukoye; Esamai, Fabian; Department of Medicine, IU School of Medicine
Current approaches for capacity building in Health Informatics (HI) in developing countries mostly focus on training, and often rely on support from foreign entities. In this paper, we describe a comprehensive and multidimensional capacity-building framework by Lansang & Dennis, and its application for HI capacity building as implemented in a higher-education institution in Kenya. This framework incorporates training, learning-by-doing, partnerships, and centers of excellence. At Moi University (Kenya), the training dimensions include an accredited Masters in HI Program, PhD in HI, and HI short courses. Learning-by-doing occurs through work within MOH facilities at the AMPATH care and treatment program serving 3 million people. Moi University has formed strategic HI partnerships with Regenstrief Institute, Inc. (USA), University of Bergen (Norway), and Makerere University (Uganda), among others. The University has also created an Institute of Biomedical Informatics to serve as an HI Center of Excellence in the region. This Institute has divisions in Training, Research, Service and Administration. The HI capacity-building approach by Moi provides a model for adoption by other institutions in resource-limited settings.
Development, Assessment, and Outcomes of a Community-Based Model of Antiretroviral Care in Western Kenya Through a Cluster-Randomized Control Trial
(Wolters Kluwer, 2021-06-01) Goodrich, Suzanne; Siika, Abraham; Mwangi, Ann; Nyambura, Monicah; Naanyu, Violet; Yiannoutsos, Constantin; Spira, Thomas; Bateganya, Moses; Toroitich-Ruto, Cathy; Otieno-Nyunya, Boaz; Wools-Kaloustian, Kara; Medicine, School of Medicine
Objective: To develop and assess an alternative care model using community-based groups for people living with HIV and facilitate by lay personnel. Methods: Geographic locations in the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare Kitale clinic catchment were randomized to standard of care versus a community-based care group (ART Co-op). Adults stable on antiretroviral therapy and virally suppressed were eligible. Research Assistant-led ART Co-ops met in the community every 3 months. Participants were seen in the HIV clinic only if referred. CD4 count and viral load were measured in clinic at enrollment and after 12 months. Retention, viral suppression, and clinic utilization were compared between groups using χ2, Fisher exact, and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: At 12 months, there were no significant differences in mean CD4 count or viral load suppression. There was a significant difference in patient retention in assigned study group between the intervention and control group (81.6% vs 98.6%; P < 0.001), with a number of intervention patients withdrawing because of stigma, relocation, pregnancy, and work conflicts. All participants, however, were retained in an HIV care program for the study duration. The median number of clinic visits was lower for the intervention group than that for the control group (0 vs 3; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Individuals retained in a community-based HIV care model had clinical outcomes equivalent to those receiving clinic-based care. This innovative model of HIV care addresses the problems of insufficient health care personnel and patient retention barriers, including time, distance, and cost to attend clinic, and has the potential for wider implementation.
Evaluating the Impact of a HIV Low-Risk Express Care Task-Shifting Program: A Case Study of the Targeted Learning Roadmap
(Walter de Gruyter GmbH, 2016-12) Tran, Linh; Yiannoutsos, Constantin T.; Musick, Beverly S.; Wools-Kaloustian, Kara K.; Siika, Abraham; Kimaiyo, Sylvester; Laan, Mark J. van der; Petersen, Maya; Biostatistics, School of Public Health
In conducting studies on an exposure of interest, a systematic roadmap should be applied for translating causal questions into statistical analyses and interpreting the results. In this paper we describe an application of one such roadmap applied to estimating the joint effect of both time to availability of a nurse-based triage system (low risk express care (LREC)) and individual enrollment in the program among HIV patients in East Africa. Our study population is comprised of 16,513 subjects found eligible for this task-shifting program within 15 clinics in Kenya between 2006 and 2009, with each clinic starting the LREC program between 2007 and 2008. After discretizing follow-up into 90-day time intervals, we targeted the population mean counterfactual outcome (i. e. counterfactual probability of either dying or being lost to follow up) at up to 450 days after initial LREC eligibility under three fixed treatment interventions. These were (i) under no program availability during the entire follow-up, (ii) under immediate program availability at initial eligibility, but non-enrollment during the entire follow-up, and (iii) under immediate program availability and enrollment at initial eligibility. We further estimated the controlled direct effect of immediate program availability compared to no program availability, under a hypothetical intervention to prevent individual enrollment in the program. Targeted minimum loss-based estimation was used to estimate the mean outcome, while Super Learning was implemented to estimate the required nuisance parameters. Analyses were conducted with the ltmle R package; analysis code is available at an online repository as an R package. Results showed that at 450 days, the probability of in-care survival for subjects with immediate availability and enrollment was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.91, 0.95) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.87) for subjects with immediate availability never enrolling. For subjects without LREC availability, it was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.90, 0.92). Immediate program availability without individual enrollment, compared to no program availability, was estimated to slightly albeit significantly decrease survival by 4% (95% CI 0.03,0.06, p<0.01). Immediately availability and enrollment resulted in a 7 % higher in-care survival compared to immediate availability with non-enrollment after 450 days (95% CI-0.08,-0.05, p<0.01). The results are consistent with a fairly small impact of both availability and enrollment in the LREC program on incare survival.
Experience and Challenges in the Recruitment and Retention of HIV-infected Rural Kenyan Women and Their Children into a Randomized Nutrition Intervention Study
(Global Livestock CRSP, UC Davis, 2010-01) Verdun, Deidre; Siika, Abraham; Sawe, Caroline; Ernst, Judith A.
Despite the knowledge and information available about HIV, stigma is still present. The affects of stigma are real and tangible. Globally HIV positive people are marginalized and often dread that their HIV status will adversely affect them socially. The belief that HIV-infected people are somehow deviant, or misconceptions about the mode of transmission fuels anxiety, fear, and distrust, which translates into barriers to adequate health care, emotional distress, and actions that can have adverse affects on health outcomes. When working with HIV-infected individuals and those at risk of becoming infected with HIV, the impact of stigma can be crippling to research. Stigma associated with HIV has had a significant role in the ability to recruit and retain eligible study subjects for a nutrition based HIV study, Increasing Animal Source Foods in Diets of HIV-infected Kenyan Women and Their Children (HNP). While this study specifically focused on HIV-infected women living in Kenya, the generalization gathered could be extrapolated to other populations. It is recommended that similar studies conduct focus groups with the study population prior to piloting, to ensure stakeholder input and an understanding of the particular challenges and concerns within a local context. Future studies should also employ individuals known in the community that the population trusts to assist with recruitment. Finally, factors that identify study staff, or associate subjects with the study should be minimal to reduce the risk of disclosing a subject’s HIV status.
Hand Grip Strength and Body Composition in HIV-Infected Rural Kenyan Women
(2012-04-23) Ernst, Judith A.; Ettyang, Grace; Johnson, Cynthia; Nyandiko, Winstone; Siika, Abraham; Neumann, Charlotte
To determine if meat in the diets of HIV infected rural Kenyan women prevents the loss of strength and body mass in those not yet ill enough to warrant antiretroviral drugs.
HIV Infection and Nutrition Status: The Importance of Food in Disease Management
(Global Livestock CRSP, UC Davis, 2008-11) Ernst, Judith A.; Ettyang, Grace; Neumann, Charlotte; Nyandiko, Winstone; Siika, Abraham
Preliminary evidence suggests that improved nutrition early in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may delay progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and delay the initiation or improve the effectiveness of antiretroviral drug therapy (ART). The scientific community has evolved in its appreciation of the value of food as an integral component of comprehensive care for individuals with HIV infection and AIDS. It is now well recognized that those who are food insecure and malnourished are more likely to fail drug treatment regimens. Body mass index (BMI) < 18 at the initiation of ART is strongly predictive of death. In addition, weight loss during the first four weeks of ART is also associated with death. A higher BMI is protective and is associated with better responses with ART. Patient response to nutrition intervention, however, may be confounded by the stage of HIV progression and other infections. That is, those who are in the earlier stages of the disease may respond better to aggressive nutrition intervention. The HIV Nutrition Project (HNP), "Increasing Animal Source Foods in Diets of HIV-infected Kenyan Women and Their Children," will evaluate the effect of protein quality and micronutrients found in meat on the health and nutritional well-being of women living with HIV in rural Kenya and the health and development of their children. By means of a randomized nutrition feeding intervention, researchers will study if the inclusion of meat added as an ingredient to a biscuit, when compared to soy or wheat, will best protect the immune system and prevent severe infection, prevent the loss of body mass and enhance the quality of life. These women are not yet receiving antiretroviral drugs and therefore not yet experiencing metabolic inefficiencies associated with AIDS.
Introduction to the HIV Nutrition Project (HNP): Increasing Animal Source Foods (ASF) in Diets of HIV-infected Kenyan Women and Their Children
(Global Livestock CRSP, UC Davis, 2008-11) Ernst, Judith A.; Ettyang, Grace; Neumann, Charlotte; Nyandiko, Winstone; Siika, Abraham; Yiannoutsos, Constantin
Many of the 28 million people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) estimated to be living in sub-Saharan Africa also suffer from malnutrition. Reproductive-aged women, their infants and young children are among the most vulnerable to malnutrition and progression of HIV to AIDS. As seen in eastern and southern Africa, mortality is increased in the malnourished. The HIV Nutrition Project (HNP) researchers will be evaluating the effect of protein quality and micronutrients found in meat on the health and nutritional well-being of women living with HIV in rural Kenya and the health and development of their children. By means of a randomized nutrition feeding intervention, the study will determine if meat in the diets of HIV-infected women and their children (1) protects the immune system and prevents severe infection, (2) prevents the loss of lean body mass, enhancing the quality of life among these drug naive women and enabling women to carry out their activities of daily living, and (3) supports the growth and development of their vulnerable children when compared to those given supplements with the same amount of energy, but with either soya or wheat protein. The intervention food with beef protein provides significantly more vitamin B12, lysine and bio-available iron and zinc when compared to the soya and wheat supplements. Deficiencies of these nutrients may hasten HIV disease progression.
Morbidity and nutrition status of rural drug-naïve Kenyan women living with HIV
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Neumann, Charlotte G.; Nyandiko, Winstone; Siika, Abraham; Drorbaugh, Natalie; Samari, Goleen; Ettyang, Grace; Ernst, Judith A.; Department of Health Sciences, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
This paper describes morbidity in a group of HIV-positive drug-naïve rural women in western Kenya. A total of 226 drug-naïve HIV-positive women were evaluated for baseline morbidity, immune function, and anthropometry before a food-based nutrition intervention. Kenyan nurses visited women in their homes and conducted semi-structured interviews regarding symptoms and physical signs experienced at the time of the visit and during the previous week and physical inspection. Blood and urine samples were examined for determination of immune function (CD4, CD8, and total lymphocyte counts), anaemia, malaria, and pregnancy status. Intradermal skin testing with tuberculin (PPD), candida, and tetanus toxoid antigens was also performed to evaluate cell-mediated immunity. Anthropometry was measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Seventy-six per cent of the women reported being sick on the day of the interview or within the previous week. Illnesses considered serious were reported by 13.7% of women. The most frequent morbidity episodes reported were upper respiratory tract infections (13.3%), suspected malaria (5.85%), skeletal pain (4.87%), and stomach pain (4.42%). The most common morbidity signs on physical inspection were respiratory symptoms, most commonly rhinorrhea and coughing. Confirmed malaria and severe diarrhea were significantly associated with a higher BMI.

Browsing by Author "Siika, Abraham"

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