The Fortune Society’s Latino Discharge Planning: A Model of Comprehensive Care for HIV-Positive Ex-Offenders

Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is multipronged but its nerve centre is lifelong adequate and consistent use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). The overall objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral drugs among HIV positive patients attending selected Comprehensive Care Centres (CCC) in Kibwezi West Sub-county, Makueni County, Kenya. 385 respondents were recruited by systematic random sampling and interviewed. Three Focused Group Discussions (FGD) and two Key Informant Interviews (KII) were also conducted. Majority 364(94.5%) of the respondents were adherent to ARVs. There was a significant association between adherence to ARVs and gender {χ 2 (1) =4.636, p<0.05} with males likely to have poor adherence {OR 0.174 (95%CI 0.130, 0.233)}. Age was significantly associated with adherence {Likelihood Ratio G2 (4) =10.693, p<0.05} with older ages (above 65 years) likely to adhere. Living in the same house with someone on ARVs was significantly associated with adherence to ARVs {χ 2 (1) =3.997 p=<0.05} with respondents living in the same house with someone on ARVs likely to adhere {OR 0.144 (95%CI 0.103, 0.200)}. Majority of the respondents had adequate knowledge and positive attitude towards adherence to ARVs. FGDs and KIIs identified fear, stigma, not believing in oneself, participating in activities that hamper adherence such as drinking alcohol, ignorance, denial, lack of social support, busy work schedule poor attitude by health service providers, drug stock outs, distance and long waiting time as contributing to poor adherence to ARVs. In conclusion, constant education and awareness creation on importance of adherence to ARVs should be strengthened particularly during clinic appointments to maintain knowledge and enhance positive attitude towards adherence. Measures to improve adherence among the male and younger population should be strengthened. Key words: adherence, antiretrovirals age, gender, knowledge, attitude.

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Relationship between Housing Status and Retention Rates among HIV-Positive African Americans Enrolled in a Comprehensive Care Program

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs ◽

10.1080/02791072.2015.1130882 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 48 (2) ◽

pp. 109-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hong Xiao ◽

William Mains

Keyword(s):

African Americans ◽

Care Program ◽

Comprehensive Care ◽

Retention Rates ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Housing Status

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Examining the Retention of HIV Positive Patients who attend the Drexel Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice

10.17918/etd-4084 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Darryl Fields

Keyword(s):

Comprehensive Care ◽

Care Practice ◽

Hiv Positive

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CAREGIVERS’ EXPERIENCES IN CARING FOR HIV POSITIVE CHILDREN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY AT A COMPREHENSIVE CARE CENTRE IN KENYA

Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing ◽

10.47604/jhmn.1384 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 45-55

Author(s):

Drusilla Makworo

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Comprehensive Care ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Unique Contribution ◽

Care Centre ◽

Hiv Status ◽

Hiv Diagnosis ◽

Caregiver Support ◽

Main Challenge

Purpose: Caring for HIV positive children poses various challenges and uncertainties depending on the disclosure of their status. To explore the caregivers’ experiences in caring for HIV positive children before, during and after disclosure of their HIV positive status. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted a Comprehensive Care Centre in a national referral Hospital in Kenya. The study population included parents/guardians of HIV positive children with complete disclosure of their HIV status. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative data is analysed by use of content analysis and presented in themes and narratives. Results: The results revealed that caring for these children was more challenging before disclosure than after disclosure. The main challenge was in responding to the children’s questions in regards to their health status. The questions asked by the children before disclosures include the reason for treatment, clinic follow up and when treatment will stop among others. The study further established that the parents/guardians expressed diverse fears of how the children might react during disclosure; however, the children mostly did not display the feared reactions at the moment of disclosure. Finally, the findings of this study established that care after disclosure becomes easier and that the children become more engaged in their own care. Conclusion: The study found that caring for HIV positive children is less challenging after disclosure of their HIV status. Further, fears by caregivers are unfounded and there are minimal negative reactions by the children upon disclosure. In order to become actively engaged in their own care, children as early as 11 years old need to be informed about their positive HIV status. Unique contribution to practice, theory and policy: The healthcare providers should ensure early preparation of the caregivers for disclosure to the children of their HIV status. Further, community members and school teachers need to be educated about the beneficial effects of disclosure of an HIV diagnosis to a child or adolescent. Research is needed on the development and implementation of caregiver support groups similar to that of children living with HIV. Purpose: Caring for HIV positive children poses various challenges and uncertainties depending on the disclosure of their status. To explore the caregivers’ experiences in caring for HIV positive children before, during and after disclosure of their HIV positive status. Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted a Comprehensive Care Centre in a national referral Hospital in Kenya. The study population included parents/guardians of HIV positive children with complete disclosure of their HIV status. Data was collected through in-depth interviews. The socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were analysed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative data is analysed by use of content analysis and presented in themes and narratives. Results: The results revealed that caring for these children was more challenging before disclosure than after disclosure. The main challenge was in responding to the children’s questions in regards to their health status. The questions asked by the children before disclosures include the reason for treatment, clinic follow up and when treatment will stop among others. The study further established that the parents/guardians expressed diverse fears of how the children might react during disclosure; however, the children mostly did not display the feared reactions at the moment of disclosure. Finally, the findings of this study established that care after disclosure becomes easier and that the children become more engaged in their own care. Conclusion: The study found that caring for HIV positive children is less challenging after disclosure of their HIV status. Further, fears by caregivers are unfounded and there are minimal negative reactions by the children upon disclosure. In order to become actively engaged in their own care, children as early as 11 years old need to be informed about their positive HIV status. Unique contribution to practice, theory and policy: The healthcare providers should ensure early preparation of the caregivers for disclosure to the children of their HIV status. Further, community members and school teachers need to be educated about the beneficial effects of disclosure of an HIV diagnosis to a child or adolescent. Research is needed on the development and implementation of caregiver support groups similar to that of children living with HIV.

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