Browsing by Subject "Treatment Programmes"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Knowledge and understanding of an HIV/AIDS education workshop in a multinational organisation : an evaluation of the AIDS Champions workshop at Shell Southern Africa
    (2003) Mulenga, Chao Feramo Nkhungulu; Bothma, Hazel
    HIV/AIDS poses a global medical epidemic threatening social and economic development in most developing countries. Sub-Saharan Africa currently bears the brunt of the epidemic with close to 30 million people infected with the disease. South Africa has the second fastest growing infection rates in the world as at December 2002. Currently no known cure for the disease exists. Interventions involve education and awareness programs and multiple therapy medical treatment. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the perceptions and knowledge of participants at the Shell AIDS Champions workshop. The research used a triangulatory approach utilizing pre-test and post-test survey questionnaires group discussions, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. 22 participants from Shell Southern Africa and Easigas attended the workshop. Statistical techniques were applied to the questionnaire findings. Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Findings from the evaluation indicate that participant perceptions show agreement with current Shell policy on HIV/AIDS. The findings show that the major impact of the workshop was observed on the knowledge-based section of the evaluation. The results of the evaluation confirm that participant knowledge was increased through participation in the AIDS Champions workshop.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Open Access
    Quality of life of HIV-infected individuals in a community-based antiretroviral programme
    (BioMed Central Ltd, 2008) Pitt, Jennifer; Myer, Landon; Wood, R
    Purpose of the study: The impact of HAART on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been widely researched in the developed world, however, there is limited data coming out of the developing world and, in particular, sub-Saharan Africa, where the vast majority of HIV-infected individuals live. This study examined HRQoL among HIV-positive individuals initiating HAART at the Hannan Crusaid Treatment Centre in Gugulethu, Cape Town, and explored the impact of HAART-related drug toxicities on HRQoL. Methods: HRQoL was assessed using a standardised questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36 (MOS SF36). Physical health summary (PHS) scores and mental health summary (MHS) scores were compared pre-HAART and at regular intervals during the first 48 weeks of HAART. The impact of drug toxicities on HRQoL was described and assessed both in unadjusted bivariate and adjusted multivariate analyses. Summary of results: This study reported a significant increase in HRQoL during the first 48 weeks on HAART with the bulk of this increase occurring during the first 16 weeks. Although there was a general improvement in HRQoL on HAART, 23% of participants reported a decline in PHS score, and 34% a decline in MHS score. Average drops in median PHS and MHS scores were 8.4 units (SD 9.31) and 9.9 units (SD 11.4), respectively. Eleven (4%) participants reported drug toxicity. Most toxicities (63%) occurred between weeks 32 and 48, and 73% were related to stavudine. Participants who experienced drug toxicity reported lower PHS scores than participants without a drug toxicity at all time points. However, only 27% (three) of participants with drug toxicity reported a decline in HRQoL between pre-HAART and week 48. Drug toxicities had little impact on MHS scores. Conclusion: This study confirmed the HRQoL benefits of HAART in a community ARV clinic in South Africa. While the majority of patients experienced a significant improvement in HRQoL on HAART, up to a third of patients reported declines in HRQoL. HAART-related drug toxicities (including those secondary to the use of stavudine) did not have a significant negative impact on HRQoL during the first 48 weeks of HAART supporting the ongoing use of stavudine in the national ARV roll-out programme.