African health sciences
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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
Predictors of antiretroviral therapy interruptions and factors influencing return to care at the Nkolndongo Health District, Cameroon.
Antiretroviral therapy is a lifelong commitment that requires consistent intake of tablets to optimize health outcomes, attain and maintain viral suppression. ⋯ Structural barriers like exposed health facility, and dispensing ARVs in open spaces stigmatizes clients and increases odds of attrition. Attrition of patients on ART will be minimized through implementation of client centered approaches like multiplying proxy ART pick points, devolving stable clients to community ARV model.
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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
The utility of a modified WHO TB screening tool among children at a Botswana child welfare clinic.
In high TB/HIV settings, the increased risk for TB amongst children exposed to HIV has been established through biomedical tests. Screening HIV exposed children for TB can improve early childhood TB detection and treatment. ⋯ Integrating HIV variables in the existing WHO screening tool for childhood TB can be useful in early detection and treatment of TB in HIV exposed children in resource limited settings.
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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.