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Implementation Science at UW

Keywords: Sub-Saharan Africa

✪ Advancing Adolescent HIV Prevention and Care Through Implementation Science: An Agenda for Combating the Global AIDS Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa

Authors:

Eric Goosby, Judith N Wasserheit, Roger Glass & Peter Kilmarx

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: March 2023

Read the full text in the open access journal Prevention Science

Abstract:

AIDS continues to be a major driver of adolescent mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite evidence of efficacy in this population, many efforts to address adolescent HIV have had limited impact across the region because of difficulty with implementation. The field of implementation science holds promise for addressing these challenges. The Fogarty-led Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA) creates a platform for bidirectional learning between researchers and the users of research evidence that promotes the use of implementation science to strengthen adolescent HIV prevention and care across Africa. The unique contributions of AHISA are reflected in this supplement’s articles which represent the collective learning of the Alliance; illustrate the value of implementation science in the context of adolescent HIV; and identify critical research gaps that should be addressed by implementation science in the future.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Addressing the Know-Do Gap in Adolescent HIV: Framing and Measuring Implementation Determinants, Outcomes, and Strategies in the AHISA Network

Authors:

Krsitin Beima-Sofie, Irene Njuguna, Tessa Concepcion, Stephanie M. DeLong, Geri Donenberg, Brian C. Zanoni, Dorothy Dow, Paula Braistein & Anjuli Wagner

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: March 2023

Read the full text in the open access journal Prevention Science

Abstract:

Implementation science (IS) uses systematic methods to close gaps between research and practice by identifying and addressing barriers to implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs). To reach UNAIDS HIV targets, IS can support programs to reach vulnerable populations and achieve sustainability. We studied the application of IS methods in 36 study protocols that were part of the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (AHISA). Protocols focused on youth, caregivers, or healthcare workers in high HIV-burden African countries and evaluated medication, clinical and behavioral/social EBIs. All studies measured clinical outcomes and implementation science outcomes; most focused on early implementation outcomes of acceptability (81%), reach (47%), and feasibility (44%). Only 53% used an implementation science framework/theory. Most studies (72%) evaluated implementation strategies. Some developed and tested strategies, while others adapted an EBI/strategy. Harmonizing IS approaches allows cross study learning and optimization of delivery of EBIs and could support attainment of HIV goals.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**

✪ Scaling-up PrEP Delivery in Sub-Saharan Africa: What Can We Learn from the Scale-up of ART?

Authors:

Gabrielle O’Malley, Gena Barnabee, & Kenneth Mugwanya

University of Washington affiliated authors are displayed in bold.

✪ Open Access

Published: February 2019

Read the full text open access from subscription journal Current HIV/AIDS Reports

Abstract:

Purpose of Review

Clinical trials have found that PrEP is highly effective in reducing risk of HIV acquisition across types of exposure, gender, PrEP regimens, and dosing schemes. Evidence is urgently needed to inform scale-up of PrEP to meet the ambitious WHO/UNAIDS prevention target of 3,000,000 individuals on PrEP by 2020.

Recent Findings

Successful models of delivering HIV services at scale evolved from years of formal research and programmatic evidence. These efforts produced lessons-learned relevant for scaling-up PrEP delivery, including the importance of streamlining laboratory tests, expanding prescription and management authority, differentiating medication access points, and reducing stigma and barriers of parental consent for PrEP uptake. Further research is especially needed in areas differentiating PrEP from ART delivery, including repeat HIV testing to ensure HIV negative status and defining and measuring prevention-effective adherence.

Summary

Evidence from 15 years of ART scale-up could immediately inform a public health approach to PrEP delivery.

**This abstract is posted with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License**