Moherndran Archary1,2, Brian Zanoni3, Marc Lallemant4,5, Puckwipa Suwannaprom6, Diana Clarke7, Martina Penazzato8. 1. From the Department of Paediatrics and Children Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. 2. Department of Paediatrics and Children Health, King Edward VIII Hospital, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. 3. Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. 4. Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD, France), U174 - PHPT, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 5. Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston. 6. Department of Pharmaceutical Care, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. 7. Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts. 8. Treatment and Care, Department of HIV/AIDS, World Health Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Raltegravir granules for oral suspension, now recommended by World Health Organization for use in neonates with HIV infection, may be challenging for caregivers because of the multistep preparation required. METHODS: We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of preparing granules for oral suspension in a low-to-middle-income country setting. Thirty-four caregivers and 10 health-care workers were enrolled from an HIV clinic in Durban, South Africa. Health-care workers were provided with pictorial instruction booklet, demonstration kit and guidance on preparation of granules for oral suspension. The health-care workers then trained caregivers on the preparation of granules for oral suspension. Caregivers were evaluated during the preparation process and instructed to practice at home with a sample kit and return to the clinic for repeat evaluation 5-7 days later. Caregivers and health-care workers were interviewed and participated in a focus group discussion regarding their experiences. RESULTS: The median age of the caregivers was 31 years (interquartile range: 9.7); 70% had received secondary-level education, 37% were employed. The median preparation time was 7.95 minutes (interquartile range: 5.08 minutes) and 7.48 minutes (3.55 minutes) at initial and repeated observation, respectively. Major errors were insufficient mixing time and incorrect suspension volume. The average number of errors between the 2 observation time points was significantly reduced at the repeat session (2.5 vs. 0.87, P = 0.023). Most participants found the preparation difficult at first but gained confidence over time. CONCLUSION: Despite the complexity involved in the preparation of the granules for oral suspension, with practice, this formulation was found to be acceptable and feasible to majority of participants in this low-resource setting. As a result, this formulation was included in the 2018 World Health Organization recommendations for first line in neonates living with HIV.
BACKGROUND: Raltegravir granules for oral suspension, now recommended by World Health Organization for use in neonates with HIV infection, may be challenging for caregivers because of the multistep preparation required. METHODS: We evaluated the acceptability and feasibility of preparing granules for oral suspension in a low-to-middle-income country setting. Thirty-four caregivers and 10 health-care workers were enrolled from an HIV clinic in Durban, South Africa. Health-care workers were provided with pictorial instruction booklet, demonstration kit and guidance on preparation of granules for oral suspension. The health-care workers then trained caregivers on the preparation of granules for oral suspension. Caregivers were evaluated during the preparation process and instructed to practice at home with a sample kit and return to the clinic for repeat evaluation 5-7 days later. Caregivers and health-care workers were interviewed and participated in a focus group discussion regarding their experiences. RESULTS: The median age of the caregivers was 31 years (interquartile range: 9.7); 70% had received secondary-level education, 37% were employed. The median preparation time was 7.95 minutes (interquartile range: 5.08 minutes) and 7.48 minutes (3.55 minutes) at initial and repeated observation, respectively. Major errors were insufficient mixing time and incorrect suspension volume. The average number of errors between the 2 observation time points was significantly reduced at the repeat session (2.5 vs. 0.87, P = 0.023). Most participants found the preparation difficult at first but gained confidence over time. CONCLUSION: Despite the complexity involved in the preparation of the granules for oral suspension, with practice, this formulation was found to be acceptable and feasible to majority of participants in this low-resource setting. As a result, this formulation was included in the 2018 World Health Organization recommendations for first line in neonates living with HIV.
Authors: Diana F Clarke; Edward P Acosta; Mae Cababasay; Jiajia Wang; Anne Chain; Hedy Teppler; Stephanie Popson; Bobbie Graham; Betsy Smith; Rohan Hazra; Kat Calabrese; Yvonne Bryson; Stephen A Spector; Jos Lommerse; Mark Mirochnick Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2020-05-01 Impact factor: 3.771
Authors: Alexander Mills; Laurie Myers; Casey Raudenbush; David A Vossen; Hedy Teppler; Yanna R Miteva; Suzanne Seeley; Brenda Homony; Walter L Straus Journal: Pediatr Infect Dis J Date: 2022-01-01 Impact factor: 2.129