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In sub-Saharan Africa, there is no standardized approach to pediatric palliative care assessment. Because of this, there is a critical demand for evidence-based assessment tools that identify the specialized needs of children and their families requiring palliative care in developing countries.To develop a standardized approach to pediatric palliative care (PPC) assessment that includes an individualized plan of care for use in sub-Saharan Africa.A Delphi method approach used five rounds to explore core elements that define the essential assessment attributes mandatory for providing excellence in PPC. Using the Delphi method, the consensus from 11 PPC experts was obtained during four Delphi rounds regarding the most important questions to include in a PPC assessment tool and plan of care. During the final Delphi round 5, the expert consensus was confirmed in a separate group of 36 childhood cancer/palliative care clinical providers.Five core elements were developed as the foundation for a PPC assessment. A symptom assessment tool was developed that includes 15 symptoms that PPC experts agreed occurred more than 65% of the time in their patients.The Delphi method was an effective tool to develop a consensus on a PPC assessment tool to use with children and their families in sub-Saharan Africa. This standardized approach will enable the collection of data to drive outcomes and research.

Maternal rectovaginal colonization is the major risk factor for early-onset neonatal sepsis due to Group B Streptococcus (GBS), a major cause of early life morbidity and mortality. Transmission generally occurs perinatally from colonized mothers to infants. Vaccines targeting a subset of GBS serotypes are under development, but GBS epidemiology remains poorly understood in many African nations. We performed a cross-sectional study of GBS colonization among pregnant women at two sites in Botswana, a country with minimal prior GBS carriage data. We found a rectovaginal colonization rate of 19%, comparable with studies in other regions; however, we also noted a striking predominance of serotype V (> 45% of strains). Although further studies are required to delineate the burden of invasive GBS disease in Botswana and the generalizability of type V epidemiology, these data provide a useful baseline for understanding the potential local impact of GBS prevention strategies, including vaccines.

Background: A rising tide of cancers and other chronic diseases, alongside the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, has created an increasing demand for palliative care in Africa. Yet, few African nations have established effective palliative care programs. In Botswana, the escalating HIV/AIDS crisis revealed an unmet need for holistic care, prompting efforts to expand palliative care education and policy, and target curricular and health system integration in the years that followed. Despite numerous successes, Botswana continues to face barriers to palliative care development. In this paper, we examine the country’s current state of palliative care and the challenges it must still overcome. Methods: Data was collected from June to July of 2015, and includes interviews of physicians, nurses and hospice staff. Results: Palliative care delivery in Botswana is primarily concentrated in the south, where the country’s first palliative care clinic and three hospices are located. While 157 health care workers, students and lecturers received palliative care training from 2013 to 2014, 100% of participants felt that education remains a significant obstacle for palliative care expansion. Sixty-four percent commented on the need for increased palliative care understanding and awareness, while 91% noted the difficulty of achieving adequate access to pain medication. Conclusions: Several targets were identified that have persistently hampered efforts to advance palliative care in Botswana, including: infrastructural challenges such as access to pain medications, the strained size of the palliative care workforce, and a need for increased palliative care education and understanding. However, recent achievements in national strategy and policy offer promising avenues for moving past these historical barriers. With implementation of action plans already underway, Botswana may ultimately provide a model for successful palliative care implementation in continuing to strengthen palliative care services throughout the country.

Background: The persistent global unmet need for palliative care continues to be felt acutely in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the volume is growing and access to palliative services remains underdeveloped. Recognizing the increasing urgency of bolstering palliative care infrastructure, several countries, such as Botswana, have established national policies and strategies to enhance care delivery. Given that education and training are essential components in pursuing this goal, we present a model for a training workshop that was successful in increasing the palliative care knowledge base and skill set in a group of nurses. Methods: A 2-day palliative care workshop was conducted for 15 nurses in Gaborone, Botswana in October 2014. Ten nurses completed pre- and post-workshop tests consisting of 21 questions spanning palliative care topics and delivery skills. Results: The survey category with the highest pre-test score of 70% was principles of palliative care. Ninety percent of participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement in post-test scores in comparison to pre-test results. The greatest increase in scores were observed in the categories of communication, end-of-life care and syringe driver use for administration of analgesic medications. The lowest post-test score category was spirituality, though it consisted of one survey question. Conclusions: Here we provide quantitative data that supports the success of the training workshop model presented. Improvement in palliative care knowledge and treatment skills, as evidenced by the increased scores from pre- to post-test results, suggests the efficacy of this 2-day training program in advancing palliative care education of nurses. Given the unmet need for healthcare workers trained in palliative care, this model could serve as a valuable tool for expanding and strengthening the delivery of care in settings where patients have limited access to palliative care services.

ObjectivesChlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are curable, mostly asymptomatic, STIs that cause adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Most countries do not test for those infections during antenatal care. We implemented a CT, NG and TV testing and treatment programme in an antenatal clinic in Gaborone, Botswana.MethodsWe conducted a prospective study in the antenatal clinic at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. We offered pregnant women who were 18 years or older and less than 35 weeks of gestation, CT, NG and TV testing using self-collected vaginal swabs. Testing was conducted using a GeneXpert® CT/NG and TV system. Those who tested positive were given directly observed antibiotic therapy and asked to return for a test of cure. We determined the prevalence of infections, uptake of treatment and proportion cured. The relationships between positive STI test and participant characteristics were assessed.ResultsWe enrolled 400 pregnant women. Fifty-four (13.5%) tested positive for CT, NG and/or TV: 31 (8%) for CT, 5 (1.3%) for NG and 21 (5%) for TV. Among those who tested positive, 74% (40) received same-day, in person results and treatment. Among those who received delayed results (6), 67% (4) were treated. Statistical comparisons showed that being unmarried and HIV infected were positively association CT, NG and/or TV infection. Self-reported STI symptoms were not associated with CT, NG and/or TV infection.ConclusionThe prevalence of CT, NG and/or TV was high, particularly among women with HIV infection. Among women with CT, NG and/or TV infection, those who received same-day results were more likely to be treated than those who received delayed results. More research is needed on the costs and benefits of integrating highly sensitive and specific STI testing into antenatal care in Southern Africa.

Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) associated with adverse birth outcomes. Untreated partners contribute to high rates of STI reinfection; thus, partner notification and treatment remain important components of STI care and control. A prospective cohort study was conducted among 300 pregnant women presenting to the antenatal clinic at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, Botswana who enrolled in an STI screening study. Following informed consent and sample collection for CT/NG/TV testing, participants were asked if they were willing to disclose their STI result and to deliver medications to their partner(s). Those who tested positive were asked at a follow-up appointment if they notified their partners. Among the 300 participants, 294 (98%) said they would be willing to tell their partner(s) about their test results if they tested positive, and 284 (95%) said they would be willing to give their partner(s) medication if the option was available. Of those who tested positive and returned for a test of cure, 27 of 32 (84%) reported that they told their partner about the results, and 20 of 32 (63%) reported that their partner received treatment. Almost all pregnant women reported willingness to tell their partner the STI test result and give their partner medications. At test of cure, most women reported informing their partner, although actual treatment receipt was lower. Our findings suggest that pregnant women are willing to utilize patient-based partner notification, but actual partner treatment might be lower than intended.

Introduction.Chlamydia trachomatis(CT),Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG), andTrichomonas vaginalis(TV) are curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Most countries do not conduct routine testing during antenatal care. We present data on the acceptability and feasibility of testing and treating pregnant women for STIs in an antenatal clinic in Gaborone, Botswana.Materials and Methods. We offered CT, NG, and TV testing using self-collected vaginal swabs to eligible pregnant women. Participants received same-day test results. Those who tested positive were given treatment.Results. Among the 225 women who were eligible and recruited, 200 (89%) agreed to participate. The median age of our study sample was 30 years; most were unmarried (77%), with a median gestational age of 27 weeks and a 23% HIV prevalence. All participants received their results with at least 72% (n=143) on the same day. Thirty participants (15%) tested positive for an STI, all were treated, and 24 (80%) were treated on the same day.Conclusion. The acceptability of STI testing was high, and the intervention was feasible. This study provides support for continued research into STI prevalence, cost-effectiveness, and the association of STIs with adverse maternal and infant outcomes.

5526Background: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in Sub-Saharan Africa. HIV increases risk for cervical cancer and concurrent antiretroviral treatment (ART) could incr...