African health sciences
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African health sciences · May 2021
Retention of pediatric patients in care: a study of the Kibera Community Health Center HIV/AIDS Program.
In 2011, 3.4 million children were living with HIV worldwide1. ⋯ The disclosure of the HIV status by parent/guardian to the child was associated with better retention of the children in the program.
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African health sciences · May 2021
Uptake and outcomes of early infant male circumcision services in four counties in Western Kenya.
Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) is part of sustainable HIV prevention strategies in Kenya. The goals of the national EIMC program are to circumcise at least 40% of all newborn male infants delivered at hospitals offering the service and keep the rate of moderate and adverse events below 2%. ⋯ EIMC uptake remains low in this region of Kenya due to small number of health facilities offering the service. The proportion of circumcised early male infants born at the target health facilities is below the national target of 40% even though the rate of adverse events among those circumcised is acceptable.
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African health sciences · May 2021
Short report: knowledge and perceptions of health workers that strengthen adherence for paediatric and adolescent clients on the intensive adherence counselling program in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative study.
Health care workers (HWs) support HIV positive children and adolescents with detectable HIV viral loads on the intensive adherence counselling (IAC) program to achieve viral suppression through individual adherence counselling. Low re-suppression rates of 23% showed low program effectiveness in fifteen public health facilities. ⋯ HWs are knowledgeable about the IAC program and client specific barriers should be addressed to improve viral suppression for children.
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African health sciences · May 2021
Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among children and adolescents living with HIV in the Mbita Sub-County Hospital, Homa Bay- Kenya.
Adequate adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is key to the successful treatment of children and adolescents living with HIV. Continuous ART Adherence is the key factor for virologic suppression and stability of the immune system and prevents the occurrence of opportunistic infections. Children and adolescents struggle with adherence to ART for various reasons, including a poor psychosocial support system and clinic attendance. ⋯ The clinic attendance rate within the first 3 months, and Enhanced Adherence Counseling (EAC) were significant predictors of viral suppression, and therefore adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
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African health sciences · May 2021
Health care workers experiences in emergency obstetric care following implementation of an in-service training program: case of 2 Referral Hospitals in Botswana.
Maternal mortality rate remains a challenge in many developing countries. ⋯ Strengthening health education at health facility levels, stakeholders' involvement; and prioritising EMOC in-service training are necessary in reducing the national maternal mortality.