Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40307877›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

Facilitators, barriers and service availability for delivering integrated care for the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B vertical transmission in Uganda: a multi-site explanatory mixed methods study.

Andrew Kazibwe, Emmanuel Olal, Andrew Mijumbi Ojok, John Vianney Kigongo, Henry Kafumbe, Maria Prima Niwampeire, Charity Gloria Toskin, Doreen Ondo, Linda Kisaakye Nabitaka, Patience Mwine and 3 more

Abstract readMulticenter Study
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Andrew KazibweThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda. kazibweandy@gmail.com.
Emmanuel OlalClinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Plot 8, Moyo Close, Kampala, Uganda.
Andrew Mijumbi OjokThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
John Vianney KigongoThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Henry KafumbeThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Maria Prima NiwampeireThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Charity Gloria ToskinThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Doreen OndoElizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, P. O. Box 21127, Kampala, Uganda.
Linda Kisaakye NabitakaAIDS Control Division, Ministry of Health, Lourdel Road, P. O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda.
Patience MwineAIDS Control Division, Ministry of Health, Lourdel Road, P. O. Box 7272, Kampala, Uganda.
David KagimuThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Anna LawinoThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.
Michael Bernard EtukoitThe AIDS Support Organisation (TASO), Mulago Hospital Complex, P. O. Box 10443, Kampala, Uganda.

Funding

Pfizer Foundation 9880
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundElimination of vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B is part of the global aspiration to end the three infections as public health threats by 2030. Whereas global and national policy guidelines recommend integration of screening, prevention and treatment for the three infections in maternal and child health (MCH) service delivery points, progress has been slow. We aimed to explore the health system factors that facilitate and hinder optimal integration of triple elimination services within the MCH platforms.

methodsThis was a cross-sectional, explanatory mixed methods multi-site study implemented in two regions of Uganda, conducted in July - August 2024. Firstly, we used an observation checklist to assess for the availability of services and commodities required for provision of triple elimination care at 20 health facilities (two regional referral hospitals, two general hospitals, two specialized outpatient TASO clinics, five HCIVs, eight HCIIIs and one HCII), and computed a percentage service and commodity availability score for each site, and average for the sites. We then used findings from this assessment to guide open-ended probing during key informant interviews and focus group discussions among ten key informants and 43 focus group discussion participants. Interviews and discussions were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and then analysed manually. We categorized responses as either facilitators or barriers and extracted quotes, by theme, based on the World Health Organization's health systems building blocks framework.

resultsThe average percentage score of service and commodity availability was 61.8% (range: 46.4-78.6%) in Acholi region and 66.1% (range: 53.6-78.6%) in Teso region. We found that presence of trained focal persons, district accountability fora, routine data collection and utilization, and availability of motivated community health workers facilitated triple elimination service integration. Key barriers included limited district health team engagement, frequent stock-outs of diagnostic and treatment commodities, health personnel shortages and high reporting burden.

conclusionsHealth facility service readiness and availability percentage scores differed across facilities and between the two regions. Several health system factors facilitate integrated service provision for elimination of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B vertical transmission. This integration is, however, constrained by a number of health system barriers. Further implementation research could contribute to addressing the various health system constraints and adoption of strategies for service integration tailored to site contexts.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health Care, IntegratedHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis BHIV InfectionsInfectious Disease Transmission, VerticalSyphilisAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMalePregnancyUgandaHealth systemsHepatitis BHIVService integrationSyphilisTriple eliminationVertical transmission

Identifiers

PMID40307877
PMCPMC12044932

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.