Browsing by Author "Seeley, Janet"

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    Afri-Can Forum 2
    (Biomed Central, 2016-07-12) Mukudu, Hillary; Martinson, Neil; Sartorius, Benn; Coetzee, Jenny; Dietrich, Janan; Mokgatswana, Kgaugelo; Jewkes, Rachel; Gray, Glenda E.; Dugas, Marylene; Behanzin, Luc; Guedou, Fernand A.; Gagnon, Marie-Pierre; Alary, Michel; Rutakumwa, Rwamahe; Mbonye, Martin; Kiwanuka, Thadeus; Nakamanya, Sarah; Muhumuza, Richard; Nalukenge, Winfred; Seeley, Janet; Atujuna, Millicent; Wallace, Melissa; Brown, Ben; Bekker, Linda G.; Newman, Peter A.; Harryparsad, Rushil; Olivier, Abraham J.; Jaspan, Heather B.; Wilson, Douglas; Dietrich, Janan; Martinson, Neil; Mukudu, Hillary; Mkhize, Nonhlanhla; Morris, Lynn; Cianci, Gianguido; Dinh, Minh; Hope, Thomas; Passmore, Jo-Ann S.; Gray, Clive M.; Henrick, Bethany M.; Yao, Xiao-Dan; Rosenthal, Kenneth L.; Henrick, Bethany M.; Yao, Xiao-Dan; Drannik, Anna G.; Rosenthal, Kenneth L.; Chanzu, Nadia; Mwanda, Walter; Oyugi, Julius; Anzala, Omu; Mbow, Moustapha; Jallow, Sabelle; Thiam, Moussa; Davis, Alberta; Diouf, Assane; Ndour, Cheikh T.; Seydi, Moussa; Dieye, Tandakha N.; Mboup, Souleymane; Goodier, Martin; Rilley, Eleanor; Jaye, Assan; Yao, Xiao-Dan; Omange, R. W.; Henrick, Bethany M.; Lester, Richard T.; Kimani, Joshua; Ball, T. B.; Plummer, Francis A.; Rosenthal, Kenneth L.; Behanzin, Luc; Guedou, Fernand A.; Geraldo, Nassirou; Mastetse, Ella G.; Sossa, Jerome C.; Zannou, Marcel D.; Alary, Michel; Osawe, Sophia; Okpokoro, Evaezi; Okolo, Felicia; Umaru, Stephen; Abimiku, Rebecca; Audu, Sam; Datong, Pam; Abimiku, Alashle; Nyange, Jacquelyn; Olenja, Joyce; Mutua, Gaudensia; Jaoko, Walter; Omosa-Manyonyi, Gloria; Farah, Bashir; Khaniri, Maureen; Anzala, Omu; Cockcroft, Anne; Tonkin, Kendra; Girish, Indu; Mhati, Puna; Cunningham, Ashley; Andersson, Neil; Farah, Bashir; Indangasi, Jackton; Jaoko, Walter; Mutua, Gaudensia; Khaniri, Maureen; Nyange, Jacquelyn; Anzala, Omu; Diphoko, Thabo; Gaseitsiwe, Simani; Maiswe, Victoria; Iketleng, Thato; Maruapula, Dorcas; Bedi, Keabetswe; Moyo, Sikhulile; Musonda, Rosemary; Wainberg, Mark; Makhema, Joseph; Novitsky, Vladimir; Marlink, Richard; Essex, Max; Okoboi, Stephen; Ssali, Livingstone; Kalibala, Sam; Birungi, Josephine; Egessa, Aggrey; Wangisi, Jonathan; Okullu, Lyavala J.; Bakanda, Celestin; Obare, Francis; Boer, I. M. S.; Semvua, Hadija H.; Van den Boogaard, Jossy; Kiwango, Krisanta W.; Ngowi, Kennedy M.; Nieuwkerk, Pythia T.; Aarnoutse, Rob E.; Kiwelu, Ireen; Muro, Eva; Kibiki, Gibson S.; Datiri, Ruth; Choji, Grace; Osawe, Sophia; Okpokoro, Evaezi; Okolo, Felicia; Umaru, Stephen; Abimiku, Rebecca; Datong, Pam; Abimiku, Alashle; Fomsgaard, A.; Karlsson, I.; Jensen, K. J; Jensen, S. S.; Leo-Hansen, C.; Jespersen, S.; Da Silva Te, D.; Rodrigues, C. M.; Da Silva, Z. J.; Janitzek, C. M.; Gerstoft, J.; Kronborg, G.; Okpokoro, Evaezi; Osawe, Sophia; Daitiri, Ruth; Choji, Grace; Umaru, Stephen; Okolo, Felicia; Datong, Pam; Emily, Nyariki; Joyce, Olenja; Robert, Lorway R.; Anzala, Anzala; Viljoen, Katie; Wendoh, Jerome; Kidzeru, Elvis; Karaoz, Ulas; Brodie, Eoin; Botha, Gerrit; Mulder, Nicola; Gray, Clive; Cameron, William; Stintzi, Alain; Jaspan, Heather; Levett, Paul N.; Alexander, David; Gulzar, Naveed; Grewal, Prabvir S.; Poon, Art F Y.; Brumme, Zabrina; Harrigan, P. R.; Brooks, James I.; Sandstrom, Paul A.; Calvez, Stryker; Sanche, Stephen E.; Scott, Jamie K.; Swartz, Leslie; Kagee, Ashraf; Lesch, Anthea; Kafaar, Zuhayr; De Wet, Anneliese; Okpokoro, Evaezi; Osawe, Sophia; Daitiri, Ruth; Choji, Grace; Umaru, Stephen; Okolo, Felicia; Datong, Pam; Abimiku, Alashle; Dietrich, Janan; Smith, Tricia; Cotton, Laura; Hornschuh, Stefanie; Van der Watt, Martin; Miller, Cari L.; Gray, Glenda; Smit, Jenni; Jaggernath, Manjeetha; Ndungu, Thumbi; Brockman, Mark; Kaida, Angela; Akolo, Maureen; Kimani, Joshua; Gelmon, Larry; Chitwa, Michael; Osero, Justus; Cockcroft, Anne; Marokoane, Nobantu; Kgakole, Leagajang; Maswabi, Boikhutso; Mpofu, Neo; Ansari, Umaira; Andersson, Neil; Nakinobe, Elizabeth; Miiro, George M.; Zalwango, Flavia; Nakiyingi-Miiro, Jessica; Kaleebu, Potiano; Semwanga, John R.; Nyanzi, Emily; Musoke, Saidat N.; Nakinobe, Elizabeth; Miiro, George; Mbidde, Edward K.; Lutalo, Tom; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Handema, Ray; Chianzu, Graham P.; Thiam, Moussa; Diagne-Gueye, Diabou; Ndiaye, Mame K.; Mbow, Moustapha; Ndiaye, Birahim P.; Traore, Ibrahima; Dia, Mamadou C.; Thomas, Gilleh; Tour-Kane, Coumba; Mboup, Souleymane; Jaye, Assan; Nyanzi, Emily; Mbidde, Edward K.; Kaleebu, Pontiano; Mpendo, Juliet; Kimani, Joshua; Birungi, Josephine; Muyindike, Winnie; Kambugu, Andrew; Sebastian, Hachizovu; Ray, Handema; Mike, Chaponda; Bertin, Kabuya J.; Modest, Mulenga; Thiam, Moussa; Janha, Omar; Davis, Alberta; Amambua-Ngwa, Alfred; Nwakanma, Davis C.; Mboup, Souleymane; Jaye, Assan; Jespersen, Sanne; Hønge, Bo L.; Esbjornsson, Joakim; Medina, Candida; Te, David Da Silva; Correira, Faustino G.; Laursen, Alex L.; Ostergaard, Lars; Andersen, Andreas; Aaby, Peter; Erikstrup, Christian; Wejse, Christian; Dieye, Siry; Sarr, Moussa; Sy, Haby; Mbodj, Helene D.; Ndiaye, Marianne; Ndiaye, Amy; Moussa, Seydi; Jaye, Assan; Mboup, Souleymane; Nyombi, Balthazar M.; Shao, Elichilia R.; Chilumba, Innocent B.; Moyo, Sikhulile; Gaseitsiwe, Simani; Musonda, Rosemary; Datong, Pam; Inyang, Bucky; Osawe, Sophia; Izang, Abel; Cole, Chundung; Okolo, Felicia; Cameron, Bill; Rosenthal, Kenneth; Gray, Clive; Jaspan, Heather; Seraise, Boitumelo; Andrea-Marobela, Kerstin; Moyo, Sikhulile; Musonda, Rosemary; Makhema, Joseph; Essex, Max; Gaseitsiwe, Simani
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: We are pleased to present peer reviewed forum proceedings of the 2nd synchronicity forum of GHRI/CHVIfunded Canadian and African HIV prevention and vaccine teams Forum objectives ∙GHRI-funded capacity building and HIV prevention research teams presented highlights of achievements ∙Teams discussed how to jointly build on achievements for sustainability ∙Provided an opportunity for inter-team collaboration, synchronize best approach to capacity building, mentoring of new researchers and building leadership ∙Provided opportunities for informal discussions and networking among the teams. ∙Teams learnt about recent advances in the area of African regulatory and ethics review process ∙The forum proceedings was a special supplement in an openaccess journal was produced
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    Community narratives about women and HIV risk in 21 high-burden communities in Zambia and South Africa
    (Dove Medical Press, 2017) Viljoen, Lario; Ndubani, Rhoda; Bond, Virginia; Seeley, Janet; Reynolds, Lindsey; Hoddinott, Graeme
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Public health researchers repeatedly represent women as a group vulnerable to ill health. This has been particularly true in the field of HIV research, where women are disproportionately affected by HIV in terms of disease burden and the social effects of the epidemic. Although women have been the focus of many prevention and treatment programs, structural barriers to implementation of these targeted programs persist. In this article we explore how high HIV-burden communities in South Africa and Zambia engage with the concepts of “woman” and “HIV risk”. The data are drawn from participatory storytelling activities completed with 604 participants across 78 group discussions between December 2012 and May 2013. During discussions we found that participants made use of the core archetypal caricatures of “goodness,” “badness,” and “vulnerability” when describing women’s HIV risk. Community members shifted between these categories in their characterizations of women, as they acknowledged the multiple roles women play, internalized different stories about women, and sometimes shifted register in the same stories. Findings suggest that health implementers, in consultation with community members, should consider the multiple positions women occupy and how this impacts the wider community’s understandings of women and “risk”. This approach of taking on board community understandings of the complexity of HIV risk can inform the design and implementation of HIV prevention and care programs by rendering programs more focused and in-line with community needs.
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    Comparison of antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV-infected older adults with younger adults in Africa : systematic review and meta-analysis
    (Springer, 2019) Soomro, Najeebullah; Fitzgerald, Grace; Seeley, Janet; Schatz, Enid; Nachega, Jean B.; Negin, Joel
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As access to antiretroviral treatment in low- and middle-income countries improves, the number of older adults (aged ≥ 50 years) living with HIV is increasing. This study compares the adherence to antiretroviral treatment among older adults to that of younger adults living in Africa. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Google Scholar and EMBASE for keywords (HIV, ART, compliance, adherence, age, Africa) on publications from 1st Jan 2000 to 1st March 2016. Eligible studies were pooled for meta-analysis using a random-effects model, with the odds ratio as the primary outcome. Twenty studies were included, among them were five randomised trials and five cohort studies. Overall, we pooled data for 148,819 individuals in two groups (older and younger adults) and found no significant difference in adherence between them [odds ratio (OR) 1.01; 95% CI 0.94–1.09]. Subgroup analyses of studies using medication possession ratio and clinician counts to measure adherence revealed higher proportions of older adults were adherent to medication regimens compared with younger adults (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02–1.11). Antiretroviral treatment adherence levels among older and younger adults in Africa are comparable. Further research is required to identify specific barriers to adherence in the aging HIV affected population in Africa which will help in development of interventions to improve their clinical outcomes and quality of life.
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    Hepatitis B virus seroepidemiology data for Africa : modelling intervention strategies based on a systematic review and meta-analysis
    (Public Library of Science, 2021-04-21) McNaughton, Anna L.; Lourenco, Jose; Bester, Phillip Armand; Mokaya, Jolynne; Lumley, Sheila F.; Obolski, Uri; Forde, Donall; Maponga, Tongai G.; Katumba, Kenneth R.; Goedhals, Dominique; Gupta, Sunetra; Seeley, Janet; Newton, Robert; Ocama, Ponsiano; Matthews, Philippa C.
    Background: International Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection set ambitious targets for 2030. In African populations, infant immunisation has been fundamental to reducing incident infections in children, but overall population prevalence of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection remains high. In high-prevalence populations, adult catch-up vaccination has sometimes been deployed, but an alternative Test and Treat (T&T) approach could be used as an intervention to interrupt transmission. Universal T&T has not been previously evaluated as a population intervention for HBV infection, despite high-profile data supporting its success with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods and findings: We set out to investigate the relationship between prevalence of HBV infection and exposure in Africa, undertaking a systematic literature review in November 2019. We identified published seroepidemiology data representing the period 1995–2019 from PubMed and Web of Science, including studies of adults that reported prevalence of both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; prevalence of HBV infection) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc; prevalence of HBV exposure). We identified 96 studies representing 39 African countries, with a median cohort size of 370 participants and a median participant age of 34 years. Using weighted linear regression analysis, we found a strong relationship between the prevalence of infection (HBsAg) and exposure (anti-HBc) (R2 = 0.45, p < 0.001). Region-specific differences were present, with estimated CHB prevalence in Northern Africa typically 30% to 40% lower (p = 0.007) than in Southern Africa for statistically similar exposure rates, demonstrating the need for intervention strategies to be tailored to individual settings. We applied a previously published mathematical model to investigate the effect of interventions in a high-prevalence setting. The most marked and sustained impact was projected with a T&T strategy, with a predicted reduction of 33% prevalence by 20 years (95% CI 30%–37%) and 62% at 50 years (95% CI 57%–68%), followed by routine neonatal vaccination and prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT; at 100% coverage). In contrast, the impact of catch-up vaccination in adults had a negligible and transient effect on population prevalence. The study is constrained by gaps in the published data, such that we could not model the impact of antiviral therapy based on stratification by specific clinical criteria and our model framework does not include explicit age-specific or risk-group assumptions regarding force of transmission. Conclusions: The unique data set collected in this study highlights how regional epidemiology data for HBV can provide insights into patterns of transmission, and it provides an evidence base for future quantitative research into the most effective local interventions. In combination with robust neonatal immunisation programmes, ongoing PMTCT efforts, and the vaccination of high-risk groups, diagnosing and treating HBV infection is likely to be of most impact in driving advances towards elimination targets at a population level.
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    Households, fluidity, and HIV service delivery in Zambia and South Africa – an exploratory analysis of longitudinal qualitative data from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial
    (Wiley Open Access, 2018) Hoddinott, Graeme; Myburgh, Hanlie; De Villiers, Laing; Ndubani, Rhoda; Mantantana, Jabulile; Thomas, Angelique; Mbewe, Madalitso; Ayles, Helen; Bock, Peter; Seeley, Janet; Shanaube, Kwame; Hargreaves, James; Bond, Virginia; Reynolds, Lindsey
    Introduction: Population distributions, family and household compositions, and people’s sense of belonging and social stability in southern Africa have been shaped by tumultuous, continuing large-scale historical disruptions. As a result, many people experience high levels of geographic and social fluidity, which intersect with individual and population-level migration patterns. We describe the complexities of household fluidity and HIV service access in South Africa and Zambia to explore implications for health systems and service delivery in contexts of high household fluidity. Methods: HPTN 071 (PopART) is a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial implemented in 21 peri-urban study communities in Zambia and South Africa between 2013 and 2018. A qualitative cohort nested in the trial included 148 purposively sampled households. Data collection was informed by ethnographic and participatory research principles. The analysis process was reflexive and findings are descriptive narrative summaries of emergent ideas. Results: Households in southern Africa are extremely fluid, with people having a tenuous sense of security in their social networks. This fluidity intersects with high individual and population mobility. To characterize fluidity, we describe thematic patterns of household membership and residence. We also identify reasons people give for moving around and shifting social ties, including economic survival, fostering interpersonal relationships, participating in cultural, traditional, religious, or familial gatherings, being institutionalized, and maintaining patterns of substance use. High fluidity disrupted HIV service access for some participants. Despite these challenges, many participants were able to regularly access HIV testing services and participants living with HIV were especially resourceful in maintaining continuity of antiretroviral therapy (ART). We identify three key features of health service interactions that facilitated care continuity: disclosure to family members, understanding attitudes among health services staff including flexibility to accommodate clients’ transient pressures, and participants’ agency in ARTrelated decisions. Conclusions: Choices made to manage one’s experiential sense of household fluidity are intentional responses to livelihood and social support constraints. To enhance retention in care for people living with HIV, policy makers and service providers should focus on creating responsive, flexible health service delivery systems designed to accommodate many shifts in client circumstances.
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    How place matters for addressing the HIV epidemic : evidence from the HPTN 071 (PopART) cluster-randomised controlled trial in Zambia and South Africa
    (BMC, 2021-04-06) Bond, Virginia; Hoddinott, Graeme; Viljoen, Lario; Ngwenya, Fredrick; Simuyaba, Melvin; Chiti, Bwalya; Ndubani, Rhoda; Makola, Nozizwe; Donnell, Deborah; Schaap, Ab; Floyd, Sian; Hargreaves, James; Shanaube, Kwame; Fidler, Sarah; Bock, Peter; Ayles, Helen; Hayes, Richard; Simwinga, Musonda; Seeley, Janet
    Background: In a cluster-randomised trial (CRT) of combination HIV prevention (HPTN 071 (PopART)) in 12 Zambian communities and nine South African communities, carried out from 2012 to 2018, the intervention arm A that offered HIV treatment irrespective of CD4 count did not have a significant impact on population level HIV incidence. Intervention arm B, where HIV incidence was reduced by 30%, followed national guidelines that mid trial (2016) changed from starting HIV treatment according to a CD4 threshold of 500 to universal treatment. Using social science data on the 21 communities, we consider how place (community context) might have influenced the primary outcome result. Methods: A social science component documented longitudinally the context of trial communities. Data were collected through rapid qualitative assessment, interviews, group discussions and observations. There were a total of 1547 participants and 1127 observations. Using these data, literature and a series of qualitative analysis steps, we identified key community characteristics of relevance to HIV and triangulated these with HIV community level incidence. Results: Two interdependent social factors were relevant to communities’ capability to manage HIV: stability/ instability and responsiveness/resistance. Key components of stability were social cohesion; limited social change; a vibrant local economy; better health, education and recreational services; strong institutional presence; established middle-class residents; predictable mobility; and less poverty and crime. Key components of responsiveness were community leadership being open to change, stronger history of HIV initiatives, willingness to take up HIV services, less HIV-related stigma and a supported and enterprising youth population. There was a clear pattern of social factors across arms. Intervention arm A communities were notably more resistant and unstable. Intervention arm B communities were overall more responsive and stable. Conclusions: In the specific case of the dissonant primary outcome results from the HPTN 071 (PopART) trial, the chance allocation of less stable, less responsive communities to arm A compared to arm B may explain some of the apparently smaller impact of the intervention in arm A. Stability and responsiveness appear to be two key social factors that may be relevant to secular trends in HIV incidence. We advocate for a systematic approach, using these factors as a framework, to community context in CRTs and monitoring HIV prevention efforts.
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    A perpetual source of DNA or something really different : ethical issues in the creation of cell lines for African genomics research
    (BioMed Central, 2014-08) De Vries, Jantina; Abayomi, Akin; Brandful, James; Littler, Katherine; Madden, Ebony; Marshall, Patricia; Ouwe Missi Oukem-Boyer, Odile; Seeley, Janet
    Background: The rise of genomic studies in Africa - not least due to projects funded under H3Africa - is associated with the development of a small number of biorepositories across Africa. For the ultimate success of these biorepositories, the creation of cell lines including those from selected H3Africa samples would be beneficial. In this paper, we map ethical challenges in the creation of cell lines. Discussion: The first challenge we identified relates to the moral status of cells living in culture. There is no doubt that cells in culture are alive, and the question is how this characteristic is relevant to ethical decision-making. The second challenge relates to the fact that cells in culture are a source of cell products and mitochondrial DNA. In combination with other technologies, cells in culture could also be used to grow human tissue. Whilst on the one hand, this feature increases the potential utility of the sample and promotes science, on the other it also enables further scientific work that may not have been specifically consented to or approved. The third challenge relates to ownership over samples, particularly in cases where cell lines are created by a biobank, and in a different country than where samples were collected. Relevant questions here concern the export of samples, approval of secondary use and the acceptability of commercialisation. A fourth challenge relates to perceptions of blood and bodily integrity, which may be particularly relevant for African research participants from certain cultures or backgrounds. Finally, we discuss challenges around informed consent and ethical review. Summary: In this paper, we sought to map the myriad of ethical challenges that need to be considered prior to making cell line creation a reality in the H3Africa project. Considering the relative novelty of this practice in Africa, such challenges will need to be considered, discussed and potentially be resolved before cell line creation in Africa becomes financially feasible and sustainable. We suggest that discussions need to be undertaken between stakeholders internationally, considering the international character of the H3Africa project. We also map out avenues for empirical research.
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    Spinning plates : livelihood mobility, household responsibility and anti-retroviral treatment in an urban Zambian community during the HPTN 071 (PopART) study
    (Wiley Open Access, 2018) Bond, Virginia; Ngwenya, Fredrick; Thomas, Angelique; Simuyaba, Melvin; Hoddinott, Graeme; Fidler, Sarah; Hayes, Richard; Ayles, Helen; Seeley, Janet
    Introduction: Qualitative data are lacking on the impact of mobility among people living with HIV (PLHIV) and their decisionmaking around anti-retroviral treatment (ART). We describe challenges of juggling household responsibility, livelihood mobility and HIV management for six PLHIV in urban Zambia. Methods: Six PLHIV (three men and three women, aged 21 to 44) were recruited from different geographic zones in one urban community drawn from a qualitative cohort in a social science component of a cluster-randomized trial (HPTN071 PopART). Participants were on ART (n = 2), not on ART (n = 2) and had started and stopped ART (n = 2). At least two in-depth interviews and participant observations, and three drop-in household visits with each were carried out between February and August 2017. Themed and comparative analysis was conducted. Results: The six participants relied on the informal economy to meet basic household needs. Routine livelihood mobility, either within the community and to a nearby town centre, or further afield for longer periods of time, was essential to get by. Although aware of ART benefits, only one of the six participants managed to successfully access and sustain treatment. The other five struggled to find time to access ART alongside other priorities, routine mobility and when daily routines were more chaotic. Difficulty in accessing ART was exacerbated by local health facility factors (congestion, a culture of reprimanding PLHIV who miss appointments, sporadic rationed drug supply), stigma and more limited social capital. Conclusions: Using a time-space framework illustrated how household responsibility, livelihood mobility and HIV management every day were like spinning plates, each liable to topple and demanding constant attention. If universal lifelong ART is to be delivered, the current service model needs to adjust the limited time that some PLHIV have to access ART because of household responsibilities and the need to earn a living moving around, often away from home. Practical strategies that could facilitate ART access in the context of livelihood mobility include challenging the practice of reprimand, improving drug supply, having ART services more widely distributed, mapped and available at night and weekends, and an effective centralized client health information system.
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    Understanding the time needed to link to care and start ART in seven HPTN 071 (PopART) study communities in Zambia and South Africa
    (Springer, 2019) Seeley, Janet; Bond, Virginia; Yang, Blia; Floyd, Sian; MacLeod, David; Viljoen, Lario; Phiri, Mwelwa; Simuyaba, Melvin; Hoddinott, Graeme; Shanaube, Kwame; Bwalya, Chiti; De Villiers, Laing; Jennings, Karen; Mwanza, Margaret; Schaap, Ab; Dunbar, Rory; Sabapathy, Kalpana; Ayles, Helen; Bock, Peter; Hayes, Richard; Fidler, Sarah
    To achieve UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets at population-level, knowledge of HIV status must be followed by timely linkage to care, initiation and maintenance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all people living with HIV (PLHIV). Interpreting quantitative patterns using qualitative data, we investigate time taken to link to care and initiate ART amongst individuals aware of their HIV-status in high HIV-prevalence urban communities in the HPTN 071 (PopART) study, a community-randomised trial of a combination HIV prevention package, including universal testing and treatment, in 21 communities in Zambia and South Africa. Data are drawn from the seven intervention communities where immediate ART irrespective if CD4 count was offered from the trial-start in 2014. Median time from HIV-diagnosis to ART initiation reduced after 2 years of delivering the intervention from 10 to 6 months in both countries but varied by gender and community of residence. Social and health system realities impact decisions made by PLHIV about ART initiation.