scholarly journals Barriers To Optimal Index Testing for Improved HIV Positivity Yield in Lusaka Urban District of Zambia - A Research Protocol

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102
Author(s):  
Cibangu Katamba
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
High Volume ◽  
Case Finding ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Urban District ◽  
Partner Testing ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
One Year ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Programs

As The Proportions Of People Living With HIV Who Do Not Know Their HIV Infection Status Decrease, Reaching The Last Mile Of Those Who Are Asymptomatic And Not In Contact With The Health Care System Becomes A Critical Challenge. This Project Will Use An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study Design. It Will Be Conducted In Three High-Volume Health Facilities In Matero Sub-District 3 Of Lusaka District In Zambia Over A Period Of One Year. The Specific Objectives Are: To Understand The Perceived Facilitators And Barriers To HIV Partner Testing From The Perspective Of The Health-Care Provider; To Propose Interventions Necessary For Improved HIV Case Finding; And To Reach High Risk But Hard To Reach Populations In HIV Programs Such As Middle-Aged Men And Adolescent Girls And Young Women (AGYW). The Permission To Conduct This Study Will Be Obtained From The Lusaka Provincial Health Office Before Its Commencement. Ethical Clearance Will Be Sought And Obtained From The ERES Converge Research Ethical Committee. The Authority To Conduct Research Will Be Sought From The National Health Research Authority. The Expected Main Findings Following The Address Of The Identified Challenges Are: Increased Number Of Recipients Of Care Indexed, Increased Index Contact Elicitation Ration From 1:1 To At Least 1:2, Improved Rate Of Contacts Tested On Time, Improved HIV Case Finding Through Index Testing, And Overall, Increased HIV Index Testing Positivity Rate From Below 25% (Baseline) To Above 40% (At The End Of The Project).

scholarly journals Healthcare providers’ perspective on barriers to optimal HIV index testing: an interview-based study

F1000Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1258
Author(s):  
Cibangu Katamba
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Partner Testing ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Hiv Testing Services ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Hiv Programs

Background: HIV testing services (HTS) and antiretroviral therapy have seen a substantial scale-up. Poorly targeted HTS have continued to miss people living with HIV who do not know their HIV status. This requires new and targeted approaches to reach undiagnosed people with HIV, such as HIV partner services. The aim of this study was to assess the barriers to optimal index testing for improved HIV testing yield in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: One-to-one interviews were conducted with index testing providers to explore provider-related and client-related barriers to testing, and document other experiences arising during the process of HIV index testing. An interview guide was utilized for consistency of information collected. Results: Provider related challenges included inadequate elicitation skills among healthcare workers; low number of volunteers trained in index testing; inadequate index testing knowledge among staff; limited elicitation of index partners to only wife and husband (not eliciting all sexual partners); and limited transport for contact tracing. On the other hand, client-related challenges were mobile communities due to seasonal activities such as cross boarder trades, sex work and farming; some key populations and adolescent index clients do not have contact details for their casual relationships; provider’s age or gender difference for some clients; missing details on client locator forms or wrong details provided; and limited space dedicated to conduct elicitation of index clients. Discussion: The challenges identified have future implications for index partner testing. These barriers were also gender and age specific. HIV testing services need to adapt to the social context of Zambia where HIV-related stigma and discrimination is still persistent and overwhelming. As Zambia makes significant progress towards achieving HIV epidemic control, more effort is needed to reach specific high risk but hard to reach populations in HIV programs, such as men and adolescent girls and young women.

scholarly journals Substance Use Among Older People Living With HIV: Challenges for Health Care Providers

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherry Deren ◽  
Tara Cortes ◽  
Victoria Vaughan Dickson ◽  
Vincent Guilamo-Ramos ◽  
Benjamin H. Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals Consequences of COVID-19 crisis for persons with HIV: the impact of social determinants of health

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristie C. Waterfield ◽  
Gulzar H. Shah ◽  
Gina D. Etheredge ◽  
Osaremhen Ikhile
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Hiv Infections ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Persons Who Inject Drugs ◽  
Persons Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background With the indiscriminate spread of COVID-19 globally, many populations are experiencing negative consequences such as job loss, food insecurity, and inability to manage existing medical conditions and maintain preventive measures such as social distancing and personal preventative equipment. Some of the most disadvantaged in the COVID-19 era are people living with HIV/AIDS and other autoimmune diseases. Discussion As the number of new HIV infections decrease globally, many subpopulations remain at high risk of infection due to lack of or limited access to prevention services, as well as clinical care and treatment. For persons living with HIV or at higher risk of contracting HIV, including persons who inject drugs or men that have sex with men, the risk of COVID-19 infection increases if they have certain comorbidities, are older than 60 years of age, and are homeless, orphaned, or vulnerable children. The risk of COVID-19 is also more significant for those that live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, rural, and/or poverty-stricken areas. An additional concern for those living the HIV is the double stigma that may arise if they also test positive for COVID-19. As public health and health care workers try to tackle the needs of the populations that they serve, they are beginning to realize the need for a change in the infrastructure that will include more efficient partnerships between public health, health care, and HIV programs. Conclusion Persons living with HIV that also have other underlying comorbidities are a great disadvantage from the negative consequences of COVID-19. For those that may test positive for both HIV and COVID-19, the increased psychosocial burdens stemming from stress and isolation, as well as, experiencing additional barriers that inhibit access to care, may cause them to become more disenfranchised. Thus, it becomes very important during the current pandemic for these challenges and barriers to be addressed so that these persons living with HIV can maintain continuity of care, as well as, their social and mental support systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document