Sierra Leone
Research Article
A Participatory Approach to Improving Retention in HIV Treatment and Care for Newly Diagnosed Patients in a Secondary Health Facility in Sierra Leone
Author(s): Wole Ameyan, Hannah Kamara, Jaicy Sesay, Mariama Sheriff, Khadija Dumbuya, Mabinty Timbo, Sulaiman Conteh and Etienne GuillardWole Ameyan, Hannah Kamara, Jaicy Sesay, Mariama Sheriff, Khadija Dumbuya, Mabinty Timbo, Sulaiman Conteh and Etienne Guillard
The bottom line for any successful HIV program is adherence to therapy and retention in care with the subsequent benefit of achieving undetectable viral levels. Research has shown that poor retention in care for HIV infection has a negative impact on survival and health outcomes. This study aimed to improve retention in care at a secondary health in Freetown, Sierra Leone through a participatory approach that involved health workers and support groups. Our interventions included implementing a participatory needs assessment, reorganising the patient flow, improving communication between health workers and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), trainings and capacity building and improving the content of support group meetings. The baseline period was from June 2012 to June 2013 while the post intervention period was from June 2013 to June 2014. At baseline, a total of 47 patients were n.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-6113.1000686
Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research received 5061 citations as per Google Scholar report