By Lorraine Anyango.                                                                                                                                                                              Kisumu County is set to participate in a groundbreaking new study led by Emory’s Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program. This research aims to identify the specific causes of death among adults living with HIV in the region. This study is a new grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The study comes amidst a growing population of older adults living with HIV due to improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Kenya. While ART has significantly reduced AIDS-related deaths, the underlying causes of death in this population remain unclear.

Understanding the Gap in Knowledge

According to the 2022 World Aids Day Report, an estimated 883,694 Kenyans aged between 35 and 74 live with HIV. Between 2010 and 2021, ART uptake is credited with averting approximately 622,724 deaths, with Kisumu County leading in the number of deaths averted (1,703).

However, the report also highlights the need to address the specific challenges faced by this aging population. As more people live longer with HIV, the potential for age-related conditions to worsen their quality-of-life increases.

CHAMPS Taking the Lead

Leveraging its expertise in child mortality studies, CHAMPS will now embark on this crucial investigation in adults living with HIV. The study will be conducted in the Manyatta catchment area, encompassing Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) and Siaya County Referral Hospital.

JOOTRH alone provides HIV services to over 6,500 adults, with 116 HIV-related deaths recorded between January 2022 and March 2023. This data underscores the urgent need to delve deeper into the causes of these deaths.

Emory’s Global Network Advantage

The study will utilize the extensive laboratory capacity and partnerships within the Emory network across Africa. This collaboration will be instrumental in identifying and documenting the specific causes of death among adults living with HIV.

Despite the progress in ART access, HIV-related deaths remain alarmingly high in low-resource communities. Understanding the underlying causes, particularly those related to Advanced HIV Disease (AHD), is crucial for preventing future deaths.

Targeted Interventions for a Healthier Future

“CHAMPS network data can be used to close critical gaps in understanding the causes of deaths among persons living with HIV,” says Mr. Victor Akelo, who will lead the study for Kenya. He emphasizes that knowing the definitive causes of death can significantly transform HIV programs and guide targeted investments.

This knowledge can lead to interventions that reduce HIV transmission, prevent progression to AHD, and ultimately save lives within these communities.

Building on Established Success

Since 2015, CHAMPS has played a vital role in determining the causes of stillbirths and child deaths across Africa and South Asia. This new grant will see the program expand its efforts to include adults aged 18-64 living with HIV in Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and South Africa.

The study will employ established CHAMPS procedures while incorporating additional tests to investigate markers of AHD. This comprehensive approach, including minimally invasive tissue sampling, verbal autopsies, and advanced diagnostics, will provide invaluable insights.

Open Access to Drive Change

Over the three-year study period, the findings will be made readily available to local and global health programs, policymakers, and practitioners. This open access to data and expert analysis will inform the evaluation and improvement of existing HIV programs, ultimately ensuring better service delivery for underserved communities.

“This study represents a significant opportunity to address the challenges faced by adults living with HIV,” says Ziyaad Dangor, CHAMPS South Africa co-director. The in-depth investigation into the causes of death has the potential to guide the development of additional interventions, ultimately reducing the disproportionately high mortality rate within this population.

This groundbreaking research, with Kisumu County at the forefront, holds immense promise for improving the lives of those living with HIV across Africa.