Isolde Birdthistle
Dados Biográficos
| ID | 220501 |
|---|---|
| NOME | Isolde Birdthistle |
| PRENOMES | Isolde |
| SOBRENOME | Birdthistle |
| ASSINATURA | BIRDTHISTLE I |
| AFILIAÇÕES | London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5742-6588 |
| VERIFICADO | Sim |
| TOTAL DE OBRAS | 31 |
| TOTAL DE CITAÇÕES | 30 |
| TOTAL COMO AUTOR | 31 |
| TOTAL COMO EDITOR | 0 |
| PRIMEIRO ANO DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2001 |
| ANO MAIS RECENTE DE PUBLICAÇÃO | 2025 |
| ÍNDICE H | 3 |
What combination of interventions can optimise HIV prevention for adolescent girls and young women? Cohort analysis of DREAMS participation in urban and rural Kenya
Comprehensive intervention packages are recommended to address multiple sources of HIV risk for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). DREAMS is a multi-component HIV prevention program designed to reduce HIV incidence among AGYW. We conducted a prospective cohort study among AGYW aged 13–22 years, randomly selected in rural Gem and urban Nairobi informal settlements followed from 2017/2018–2019. AGYW were classified into three groups: (1) invi…
Impact of a multilevel HIV prevention programme on adolescent girls and young women’s empowerment for risk reduction
Empowerment is key to person-centered HIV prevention. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, Safe (DREAMS) Partnership promotes empowerment of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya. We conducted a mixed-methods study to examine DREAMS influence on empowerment precursors (resources, agency, institutional structures) and outcomes, guided by Kabeer’s framework for women’s…
Gender-transformative HIV and SRHR programme approaches for adolescents and young people
Introduction Gender inequalities continue to drive new HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at rates too high to achieve global goals. In high HIV-burden jurisdictions, this is particularly true for adolescent girls and young women at disproportionate risk, while social and systemic barriers also impede the engagement of young men and gender minorities with health services. We sought evidence of approaches to promote sexual and reproduc…
Uptake of multi-level HIV interventions and HIV-related behaviours among young people in rural South Africa
Combination HIV prevention packages have reduced HIV incidence and improved HIV-related outcomes among young people. However, there is limited data on how package components interact to promote HIV-related prevention behaviours. We described the uptake of HIV prevention interventions supported by Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Motivated and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership and assessed the association between uptake and HIV-related behavio…
Impact of DREAMS interventions on attitudes towards gender norms among adolescent girls and young women
The DREAMS partnership aims to deliver a comprehensive package to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), including through shifting gender norms. We evaluate DREAMS’ effect on attitudes towards gender norms in two Kenyan settings. AGYW aged 15–22 in Nairobi (n = 852) and Gem (n = 761) were randomly selected for cohort enrolment in 2017–18 and followed-up to 2019. We described the proportion of AGYW and their male peer…
Impact of DREAMS interventions on experiences of violence among adolescent girls and young women
DREAMS aims to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) by tackling drivers of HIV risk including gender-based violence. We evaluate the impact of DREAMS on recent experiences of violence perpetuated by men against AGYW. AGYW cohorts were randomly selected from demographic platforms in South Africa (rural KwaZulu-Natal) and Kenya (Nairobi informal settlements and rural Gem sub-county). AGYW aged 13–22 years were enrolled…
Impact of the DREAMS Partnership on social support and general self-efficacy among adolescent girls and young women
INTRODUCTION: The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership aimed to influence psychosocial processes that promote empowerment among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), and reduce HIV incidence. We estimated the impact of DREAMS on aspects of AGYW's collective and individual agency (specifically, social support and self-efficacy), in three settings where DREAMS was implemented from 2016 until at leas…
Effects of a multimedia campaign on HIV self-testing and PrEP outcomes among young people in South Africa
INTRODUCTION: Innovative HIV technologies can help to reduce HIV incidence, yet uptake of such tools is relatively low among young people. To create awareness and demand among adolescents and young adults, a new campaign of the pan-African MTV Shuga series ('Down South 2'; DS2), featured storylines and messages about HIV self-testing (HIVST) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through television, radio and accompanying multimedia activities in 20…
A socio-ecological approach to understanding experiences and perceptions of a multilevel HIV prevention intervention
Antiretroviral therapy based HIV prevention targeting young women who sell sex
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a potential game-changer for HIV. We used PrEP introduction for Young Women Who Sell Sex (YWSS) in a rural South Africa district to understand community norms and PrEP coverage in YWSS. Between 2017 and 2018, we measured awareness and uptake of PrEP in a representative cohort of 2184 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 13-22. We conducted group discussions with young people and community members (19); k…
Early impact of the DREAMS partnership on young women’s knowledge of their HIV status
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of one's HIV status is the gateway to treatment and prevention, but remains low among young people. We investigated the early impact (2016-2017) of Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS), a multisectoral HIV prevention package, on knowledge of HIV status among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). METHODS: In 2017, randomly selected AGYW were enrolled into surveys, N=1081 aged 15-22 years …
It is guiding us to protect ourselves
This study explores how and why young people engage with MTV Shuga , a popular mass media campaign in South Africa, to understand what makes effective HIV edutainment. Young MTV Shuga viewers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa and their parents participated in remote individual interviews and focus groups in 2020. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using a thematic iterative approach. Young participants engaged with MTV Shuga for rel…
The impact of the DREAMS partnership on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex in two Zimbabwean cities
INTRODUCTION: Young women who sell sex (YWSS) in Zimbabwe remain at high risk of HIV infection. Effective HIV prevention strategies are needed. Through support to access a combination of evidence-based interventions, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) partnership aimed to reduce new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women by 40% over 24 months. …
Reaching early adolescents with a complex intervention for HIV prevention
Uptake of DREAMS interventions among a representative sample of EAG was high and quickly increased over the implementation period. The majority accessed multiple interventions, indicating that it is feasible to integrate and deliver a package of interventions to EAG in a challenging informal context
Common mental disorders and HIV status in the context of DREAMS among adolescent girls and young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
We found high prevalence of probable CMD among AGYW in rural South Africa, but it was only associated with HIV serostatus when not controlling for HIV acquisition risk factors. Our findings highlight that improving mental health service access for AGYW at high risk for HIV acquisition might protect them. Interventions already reaching AGYW with CMD, such as DREAMS, can be used to deliver mental health services to reduce both CMD and HIV risks. Th…
Young people’s experiences of sexual and reproductive health interventions in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Despite efforts to address HIV-infection, adolescents and young peoples' (AYP) engagement in interventions remains suboptimal. Guided by a risk protection framework we describe factors that support positive and negative experiences of HIV and SRH interventions among AYP in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using data from: community mapping; repeat semi-structured individual interviews (n= 58 in 2017, n=50 in 2018, n=37 in 2019-2020); and group …
Awareness and uptake of layered HIV prevention programming for young women
In representative population-based samples, awareness and uptake of DREAMS were high after 1 year of implementation. Evidence of 'layering' (receiving multiple interventions from the DREAMS core package), particularly among more socio-economically vulnerable AGYW, indicate that intervention packages can be implemented at scale, for intended recipients, in real-world contexts. Challenges remain for higher coverage and greater 'layering', including…
Changes Over Time in HIV Prevalence and Sexual Behaviour Among Young Female Sex-Workers in 14 Sites in Zimbabwe, 2013–2016
Young female sex-workers (FSW) aged 18-24 are at high risk of HIV due to high numbers of sexual partners, difficulty negotiating condom use, increased risk of gender-based violence, and limited access to services. Here we describe changes in sexual behaviours among young FSW across Zimbabwe between 2013 and 2016, and risk factors for prevalent HIV in 2013 and 2016. FSW ≥ 18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in 14 sites across …
Evaluating the impact of the DREAMS partnership to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women in four settings
DREAMS is, to date, the most ambitious effort to scale-up combinations or 'packages' of multi-sectoral interventions for HIV prevention. Evidence of its effectiveness in reducing HIV incidence among AGYW, and demonstrating which aspects of the lives of AGYW were changed, will offer valuable lessons for replication
Evaluating the impact of DREAMS on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex
HIV prevention products of known efficacy are available. Innovative studies are needed to provide evidence of how to optimise product use through combination interventions to achieve population impact within different contexts. We describe the design of such a study
Impact of Integrated Services on HIV Testing
The impact of integrated reproductive health and HIV services on HIV testing and counseling (HTC) uptake was assessed among 882 Kenyan family planning clients using a nonrandomized cohort design within six intervention and six “comparison” facilities. The effect of integration on HTC goals (two tests over two years) was assessed using conditional logistic regression to test four “integration” exposures: a training and reorganization intervention;…
Barriers and facilitating factors to the uptake of antiretroviral drugs for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa
Intimate Partner Violence and Socioeconomic Deprivation in England
Objectives. We examined the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with social deprivation in England. Methods. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate IPV correlates among 21 226 men and women aged 16 to 59 years in the 2008 nationally representative cross-sectional British Crime Survey. Results. Lifetime IPV was reported by 23.8% of women and 11.5% of men. Physical IPV was reported by 16.8% and 7.0%, …
How HIV Diagnosis and Disclosure Affect Sexual Behavior and Relationships in Ugandan Fishing Communities
In this article we examine how members of fishing communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda respond to HIV diagnosis in terms of disclosure to sexual partners. We then explore the subsequent changes in sexual behavior and relationships. To access this information, we collected life history data from 78 HIV-positive individuals in five fishing communities. We found that the strength of the sexual relationships shaped how and why individ…
Study protocol for the Integra Initiative to assess the benefits and costs of integrating sexual and reproductive health and HIV services in Kenya and Swaziland
Current Controlled Trials NCT01694862
Is education the link between orphanhood and HIV/HSV-2 risk among female adolescents in urban Zimbabwe
Intimate Partner Violence and Socioeconomic Deprivation in England
Objectives. We examined the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with social deprivation in England. Methods. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate IPV correlates among 21 226 men and women aged 16 to 59 years in the 2008 nationally representative cross-sectional British Crime Survey. Results. Lifetime IPV was reported by 23.8% of women and 11.5% of men. Physical IPV was reported by 16.8% and 7.0%, …
Impact of Integrated Services on HIV Testing
The impact of integrated reproductive health and HIV services on HIV testing and counseling (HTC) uptake was assessed among 882 Kenyan family planning clients using a nonrandomized cohort design within six intervention and six “comparison” facilities. The effect of integration on HTC goals (two tests over two years) was assessed using conditional logistic regression to test four “integration” exposures: a training and reorganization intervention;…
How HIV Diagnosis and Disclosure Affect Sexual Behavior and Relationships in Ugandan Fishing Communities
In this article we examine how members of fishing communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda respond to HIV diagnosis in terms of disclosure to sexual partners. We then explore the subsequent changes in sexual behavior and relationships. To access this information, we collected life history data from 78 HIV-positive individuals in five fishing communities. We found that the strength of the sexual relationships shaped how and why individ…
Youth exposure to violence
Recent empirical work on the distribution, determinants, and consequences of children and adolescents' witnessing of community violence are reviewed. Major findings across studies indicate that males, ethnic minorities, and urban residents are at increased risk for witnessing violence, and that higher rates of PTSD, depression, distress, aggression, and externalizing behavior disturbances are reported among those who witness violence. Degree of f…
From affected to infected? Orphanhood and HIV risk among female adolescents in urban Zimbabwe
BACKGROUND: Despite the 15 million children orphaned by AIDS, and fears of sexual vulnerability, little is known about the link between orphanhood and HIV risk. METHODS: A random sample of 1283 15 to 19-year-old girls in a high-density suburb of Harare was identified in a cross-sectional survey in 2004. A total of 863 agreed to be interviewed and 839 provided a specimen for HIV and herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) testing. Sexual health outcom…
Systematic review exploring time trends in the association between educational attainment and risk of HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa
Is education the link between orphanhood and HIV/HSV-2 risk among female adolescents in urban Zimbabwe
Child sexual abuse and links to HIV and orphanhood in urban Zimbabwe
BACKGROUND: Evidence of a link between sexual violence and HIV is growing; however, studies among children are scarce. The authors sought to characterise child sexual abuse in Harare, Zimbabwe, and explore its links with HIV and orphanhood. METHODS: Records for new clients attending a child sexual abuse clinic from July 2004 to June 2005 were computerised and reviewed. Information on characteristics, medical examinations, laboratory tests and per…
Study protocol for the Integra Initiative to assess the benefits and costs of integrating sexual and reproductive health and HIV services in Kenya and Swaziland
Current Controlled Trials NCT01694862
Non-consensual Sex and Association with Incident HIV Infection Among Women
Non-consensual sex is associated with HIV infection in Africa, but there is little longitudinal data on this association. We describe reported non-consensual sex among women over two decades in southwest Uganda, including associations with incident HIV infection. Between 1990 and 2008, individuals in a population cohort who recently seroconverted to HIV were enrolled into a clinical cohort, along with randomly selected HIV-negative controls. Part…
Barriers and facilitating factors to the uptake of antiretroviral drugs for prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV in sub‐Saharan Africa
Intimate Partner Violence and Socioeconomic Deprivation in England
Objectives. We examined the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with social deprivation in England. Methods. We used multivariable logistic regression to investigate IPV correlates among 21 226 men and women aged 16 to 59 years in the 2008 nationally representative cross-sectional British Crime Survey. Results. Lifetime IPV was reported by 23.8% of women and 11.5% of men. Physical IPV was reported by 16.8% and 7.0%, …
How HIV Diagnosis and Disclosure Affect Sexual Behavior and Relationships in Ugandan Fishing Communities
In this article we examine how members of fishing communities on the shores of Lake Victoria in Uganda respond to HIV diagnosis in terms of disclosure to sexual partners. We then explore the subsequent changes in sexual behavior and relationships. To access this information, we collected life history data from 78 HIV-positive individuals in five fishing communities. We found that the strength of the sexual relationships shaped how and why individ…
Impact of Integrated Services on HIV Testing
The impact of integrated reproductive health and HIV services on HIV testing and counseling (HTC) uptake was assessed among 882 Kenyan family planning clients using a nonrandomized cohort design within six intervention and six “comparison” facilities. The effect of integration on HTC goals (two tests over two years) was assessed using conditional logistic regression to test four “integration” exposures: a training and reorganization intervention;…
Evaluating the impact of the DREAMS partnership to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women in four settings
DREAMS is, to date, the most ambitious effort to scale-up combinations or 'packages' of multi-sectoral interventions for HIV prevention. Evidence of its effectiveness in reducing HIV incidence among AGYW, and demonstrating which aspects of the lives of AGYW were changed, will offer valuable lessons for replication
Evaluating the impact of DREAMS on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex
HIV prevention products of known efficacy are available. Innovative studies are needed to provide evidence of how to optimise product use through combination interventions to achieve population impact within different contexts. We describe the design of such a study
Awareness and uptake of layered HIV prevention programming for young women
In representative population-based samples, awareness and uptake of DREAMS were high after 1 year of implementation. Evidence of 'layering' (receiving multiple interventions from the DREAMS core package), particularly among more socio-economically vulnerable AGYW, indicate that intervention packages can be implemented at scale, for intended recipients, in real-world contexts. Challenges remain for higher coverage and greater 'layering', including…
Changes Over Time in HIV Prevalence and Sexual Behaviour Among Young Female Sex-Workers in 14 Sites in Zimbabwe, 2013–2016
Young female sex-workers (FSW) aged 18-24 are at high risk of HIV due to high numbers of sexual partners, difficulty negotiating condom use, increased risk of gender-based violence, and limited access to services. Here we describe changes in sexual behaviours among young FSW across Zimbabwe between 2013 and 2016, and risk factors for prevalent HIV in 2013 and 2016. FSW ≥ 18 years were recruited using respondent-driven sampling in 14 sites across …
Young people’s experiences of sexual and reproductive health interventions in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Despite efforts to address HIV-infection, adolescents and young peoples' (AYP) engagement in interventions remains suboptimal. Guided by a risk protection framework we describe factors that support positive and negative experiences of HIV and SRH interventions among AYP in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using data from: community mapping; repeat semi-structured individual interviews (n= 58 in 2017, n=50 in 2018, n=37 in 2019-2020); and group …
The impact of the DREAMS partnership on HIV incidence among young women who sell sex in two Zimbabwean cities
INTRODUCTION: Young women who sell sex (YWSS) in Zimbabwe remain at high risk of HIV infection. Effective HIV prevention strategies are needed. Through support to access a combination of evidence-based interventions, including oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) partnership aimed to reduce new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women by 40% over 24 months. …
Reaching early adolescents with a complex intervention for HIV prevention
Uptake of DREAMS interventions among a representative sample of EAG was high and quickly increased over the implementation period. The majority accessed multiple interventions, indicating that it is feasible to integrate and deliver a package of interventions to EAG in a challenging informal context
Common mental disorders and HIV status in the context of DREAMS among adolescent girls and young women in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
We found high prevalence of probable CMD among AGYW in rural South Africa, but it was only associated with HIV serostatus when not controlling for HIV acquisition risk factors. Our findings highlight that improving mental health service access for AGYW at high risk for HIV acquisition might protect them. Interventions already reaching AGYW with CMD, such as DREAMS, can be used to deliver mental health services to reduce both CMD and HIV risks. Th…
Impact of the DREAMS Partnership on social support and general self-efficacy among adolescent girls and young women
INTRODUCTION: The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Partnership aimed to influence psychosocial processes that promote empowerment among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), and reduce HIV incidence. We estimated the impact of DREAMS on aspects of AGYW's collective and individual agency (specifically, social support and self-efficacy), in three settings where DREAMS was implemented from 2016 until at leas…
Effects of a multimedia campaign on HIV self-testing and PrEP outcomes among young people in South Africa
INTRODUCTION: Innovative HIV technologies can help to reduce HIV incidence, yet uptake of such tools is relatively low among young people. To create awareness and demand among adolescents and young adults, a new campaign of the pan-African MTV Shuga series ('Down South 2'; DS2), featured storylines and messages about HIV self-testing (HIVST) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) through television, radio and accompanying multimedia activities in 20…
A socio-ecological approach to understanding experiences and perceptions of a multilevel HIV prevention intervention
Antiretroviral therapy based HIV prevention targeting young women who sell sex
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a potential game-changer for HIV. We used PrEP introduction for Young Women Who Sell Sex (YWSS) in a rural South Africa district to understand community norms and PrEP coverage in YWSS. Between 2017 and 2018, we measured awareness and uptake of PrEP in a representative cohort of 2184 Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 13-22. We conducted group discussions with young people and community members (19); k…
Early impact of the DREAMS partnership on young women’s knowledge of their HIV status
BACKGROUND: Knowledge of one's HIV status is the gateway to treatment and prevention, but remains low among young people. We investigated the early impact (2016-2017) of Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS), a multisectoral HIV prevention package, on knowledge of HIV status among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). METHODS: In 2017, randomly selected AGYW were enrolled into surveys, N=1081 aged 15-22 years …
It is guiding us to protect ourselves
This study explores how and why young people engage with MTV Shuga , a popular mass media campaign in South Africa, to understand what makes effective HIV edutainment. Young MTV Shuga viewers from the Eastern Cape, South Africa and their parents participated in remote individual interviews and focus groups in 2020. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using a thematic iterative approach. Young participants engaged with MTV Shuga for rel…
Medicine (27 obras) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (22 obras) · Environmental health (21 obras) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (21 obras) · Psychology (15 obras) · Family medicine (14 obras) · Population (14 obras) · Demography (12 obras) · Nursing (9 obras) · Psychiatry (9 obras)