The understanding of healthcare workers on the content of palliative care policy in Shesilweni Swaziland: a qualitative study.
Authors: Maseko TN, Pfaff C, Mwisongo A
Abstract
We undertook a qualitative study design to explore the understanding of healthcare workers of the content of the palliative care policy in Swaziland. A total of 17 health workers participated in this study. The study showed that there was a lack of knowledge about palliative care, confusion as to where palliative care should be offered and by whom and the role of providing medication as a part of palliative care. Interestingly, the health workers mentioned the importance of different actors, the importance of teamwork and some perceived successes of palliati...
Source: Ecancermedicalscience - September 5, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Ecancermedicalscience Source Type: research
Think global, act local: the experience of Global Fund and PEPFAR joint cascade assessments to harmonize and strengthen key population HIV programmes in eight countries.
CONCLUSIONS: The assessment teams and country stakeholders viewed the assessments as a best practice for coordinating donor-funded programmes that may overlap or inefficiently serve KPs. Global and national HIV programmes need investments of time, resources, and commitment from stakeholders to continually course-correct to align and improve programmes for sustained impact. The type of continued partnership demonstrated by the joint assessments is key to address HIV among KPs globally.
PMID: 30033537 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of the International AIDS Society)
Source: Journal of the International AIDS Society - July 25, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: J Int AIDS Soc Source Type: research
Understanding reasons for discontinued antiretroviral treatment among clients in test and treat: a qualitative study in Swaziland.
CONCLUSIONS: Clients' reasons for abandoning ART are a complex, inextricably interwoven chain of events rather than a single occurrence. Mobility is often the first step in the process and commonly results from precarious economic and social circumstances. Currently the health system poorly caters to the reality of people's mobile lives. Interventions should seek to increase healthcare workers' understanding of the chain of events leading up to discontinuation on ART and the social dilemmas that clients face.
PMID: 30027651 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Journal of the International AIDS Society)
Source: Journal of the International AIDS Society - July 22, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: J Int AIDS Soc Source Type: research
Barriers to antiretroviral therapy initiation for HIV-positive children aged 2-18 months in Swaziland.
This study was conducted to identify barriers to early ART initiation among HIV-positive infants. This was a case-control study among HIV-positive infants, aged 2 to 18 months, who either did not initiate ART (cases), or initiated ART (controls), during 18 months after testing. Multivariable logistic regression showed that infants who visited the clinic every month, or every 2 months, were 5.78 and 6.20 times more likely to initiate ART than those who visited less often (OR 5.78, 95% CI 1.82-18.33 and OR 6.20, 95% CI 1.30-29.60 respectively). Children who lived ≤30 and 31-60 minutes from the nearest clinic were 84% and 7...
Source: African Journal of AIDS Research - July 15, 2018 Category: African Health Tags: Afr J AIDS Res Source Type: research
Estimating spatial catchment natural hydrological response characteristics in Swaziland
This study establishes the hydrological response of 122 catchments in Swaziland's trans-boundary basins on the basis of validated WR90 hydro-meteorological time series data. The flow duration indices (FDIs: Q10, Q50, Q90) were determined and standardised by the mean monthly streamflow, and the runoff ratio was calculated as a method to determine how catchments respond to precipitation inputs. The runoff ratio and FDIs were then plotted against aridity indices, and the plot shows that the runoff ratio is consistent with the aridity index, except for a few suspected anomalies emanating from values of Q50 and Q90. The finding...
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - July 11, 2018 Category: Science Source Type: research
Social representations of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention in narratives by young Africans from five countries, 1997–2014: Implications for communication
This study examines how young Africans made sense of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and PMTCT and related barriers and facilitators between 1997 and 2014 in the context of these complex and changing recommendations. It uses a distinctive data source: 1343 creative narratives submitted to HIV-themed scriptwriting competitions by young people aged 10–24 from 5 African countries (Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Kenya, and Swaziland) between 1997 and 2014. The study triangulates between analysis of quantifiable characteristics of the narratives, thematic qualitative analysis, and narrative-based approaches. MTCT occurs ...
Source: Social Science and Medicine - July 10, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
Estimating spatial catchment natural hydrological response characteristics in Swaziland
This study establishes the hydrological response of 122 catchments in Swaziland's trans-boundary basins on the basis of validated WR90 hydro-meteorological time series data. The flow duration indices (FDIs: Q10, Q50, Q90) were determined and standardised by the mean monthly streamflow, and the runoff ratio was calculated as a method to determine how catchments respond to precipitation inputs. The runoff ratio and FDIs were then plotted against aridity indices, and the plot shows that the runoff ratio is consistent with the aridity index, except for a few suspected anomalies emanating from values of Q50 and Q90. The finding...
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - July 5, 2018 Category: Science Source Type: research
Social representations of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention in narratives by young Africans from five countries, 1997–2014: Implications for communication
This study examines how young Africans made sense of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and PMTCT and related barriers and facilitators between 1997 and 2014 in the context of these complex and changing recommendations. It uses a distinctive data source: 1343 creative narratives submitted to HIV-themed scriptwriting competitions by young people aged 10–24 from 5 African countries (Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Kenya, and Swaziland) between 1997 and 2014. The study triangulates between analysis of quantifiable characteristics of the narratives, thematic qualitative analysis, and narrative-based approaches. MTCT occurs ...
Source: Social Science and Medicine - July 5, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
Global Burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in People Living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Conclusions -People living with HIV are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular disease. The global burden of HIV associated cardiovascular disease has tripled over the last two decades and is now responsible for 2.6 million DALYs per annum with the greatest impact in sub-Saharan Africa and the Asia-Pacific regions. PROSPERO Registration -URL: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero Unique Identifier: CRD42016048257.
PMID: 29967196 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Circulation)
Source: Circulation - July 2, 2018 Category: Cardiology Authors: Shah ASV, Stelzle D, Lee KK, Beck EJ, Alam S, Clifford S, Longenecker CT, Strachan FE, Bagchi S, Whiteley W, Rajagopalan S, Kottilil S, Nair H, Newby DE, McAllister DA, Mills NL Tags: Circulation Source Type: research
Preference for injectable over oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in public-sector primary-care clinics in Swaziland
Long-acting injectable (LAI) HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may mitigate adherence challenges reported by young women in Southern Africa. We assessed preferences for PrEP in public-sector, primary care clinics in Swaziland. Among surveyed respondents, 75% (95% confidence interval = 65–83%) stated preference for LAI over oral PrEP; with no differences by sex, age, or sexual behavior (all P > 0.05). Notably, over 70% (95% confidence interval 58–82%) with current use of oral PrEP also stated preference for LAI PrEP. (Source: AIDS)
Source: AIDS - June 29, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: Research Letters Source Type: research
Social representations of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and its prevention in narratives by young Africans from five countries, 1997 –2014: Implications for communication
This study examines how young Africans made sense of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and PMTCT and related barriers and facilitators between 1997 and 2014 in the context of these complex and changing recommendations. It uses a distinctive data source: 1343 creative narratives submitted to HIV-themed scriptwriting competitions by young people aged 10–24 from 5 African countries (Senegal, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Kenya, and Swaziland) between 1997 and 2014. The study triangulates between analysis of quantifiable characteristics of the narratives, thematic qualitative analysis, and narrative-based approaches. MTCT occurs ...
Source: Social Science and Medicine - June 29, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research
Cost and cost ‐effectiveness of transitioning to universal initiation of lifelong antiretroviral therapy for all HIV‐positive pregnant and breastfeeding women in Swaziland
Tropical Medicine&International Health,Volume 0, Issue ja, -Not available-. (Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health)
Source: Tropical Medicine and International Health - June 29, 2018 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Lucy Cunnama
,
Elaine J. Abrams
,
Landon Myer
,
Averie Gachuhi
,
Ndumiso Dlamini
,
Thabo Hlophe
,
Joshua Kikuvi
,
Nontokozo Langwenya
,
Simangele Mthethwa
,
Dennis Mudonhi
,
Bonisile Nhlabatsi
,
Harriet Nuwagaba ‐Biribonwoha
,
V Source Type: research
Peer-Delivered Linkage Case Management and Same-Day ART Initiation for Men and Young Persons with HIV Infection - Eswatini, 2015-2017.
Abstract
To achieve epidemic control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, sub-Saharan African countries are striving to diagnose 90% of HIV infections, initiate and retain 90% of HIV-diagnosed persons on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and achieve viral load suppression* for 90% of ART recipients (90-90-90) (1). In Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), the country with the world's highest estimated HIV prevalence (27.2%), achieving 90-90-90 depends upon improving access to early ART for men and young adults with HIV infection, two groups with low ART coverage (1-3). Although community-based strategies t...
Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - June 15, 2018 Category: Epidemiology Authors: MacKellar D, Williams D, Bhembe B, Dlamini M, Byrd J, Dube L, Mazibuko S, Ao T, Pathmanathan I, Auld AF, Faura P, Lukhele N, Ryan C Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research
Characteristics of Treatment-experienced HIV-infected African Children and Adolescents Initiating Darunavir and/or Etravirine-based Antiretroviral Treatment
Conclusions:
In our study, a significant proportion of treatment-experienced African children and adolescents had one or more DRV-RM and ETR-RM. For the new regimen, more than a third of pediatric patients failing second-line ART were prescribed NRTI-sparing regimens. Better understanding of the current approaches to pediatric ART sequencing in resource-limited settings is needed. (Source: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal)
Source: The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal - June 13, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Tags: HIV Reports Source Type: research
Projected cervical Cancer incidence in Swaziland using three methods and local survey estimates
The scarcity of country data (e.g. a cancer registry) for the burden of cervical cancer (CC) in low-income countries (LCIs) such as Swaziland remains a huge challenge. Such data are critical to inform local de... (Source: BMC Cancer)
Source: BMC Cancer - June 7, 2018 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Themba G. Ginindza and Benn Sartorius Tags: Research article Source Type: research
