Evaluation of the pediatric antiretroviral therapy service in Gondar city public health facilities-A case study design with mixed methods.

Journal: PloS one

Volume: 17

Issue: 12

Year of Publication: 2023

Affiliated Institutions:  Student Clinic, Student Service Directorate, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Department of Health Systems and Policy, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract summary 

The pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) service is introduced to save lives, restore mental and physical functions, and improve the quality of life of children living with HIV/AIDS. This evaluation aimed to assess the implementation status of the pediatric ART service provision in Gondar city administration health facilities to promote evidence-based decision-making for program improvement.An institutional-based single case-study design with concurrent mixed methods were applied. The service was evaluated by the availability of essential resources, compliance of health providers with the standard guideline, and caregivers' satisfaction dimensions. Document review, key informant interviews, observations, and interviewer-administered exit-interview were conducted. The quantitative data were analyzed in descriptive and analytical, while the qualitative data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with caregivers' satisfaction.The overall implementation of pediatric ART service was 75.32%. The availability, compliance, and satisfaction were 68.96%, 74.44%, and 84.64%, respectively. Trained healthcare professionals, essential ART drugs, registers, and basic laboratory diagnostic equipment were reasonably available. However, the lack of opportunistic infection medications and adequate rooms were significant gaps in service provision. Respondents noted a shortage of drugs and rooms for consultation and service provision. Short travel distance (AOR = 2.87), low viral load (AOR = 3.15), and sex of caregivers (AOR = 4.98) were significantly associated with good satisfaction.The overall implementation of pediatric ART service is well based on the pre-determined judgment criteria. The health facilities and policymakers are advised to focus on availing medications to treat opportunistic infections and expanding the health facility to have enough space for consultation and service provision. Furthermore, particular emphasis should be given to caregivers who come from long distances and patients with a high viral load to increase caregivers' satisfaction.

Authors & Co-authors:  Azanaw Abrham A Alemu Melaku Birhanu MB Yitayal Mezgebu M Aschalew Andualem Yalew AY

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  HIV.gov. Global HIV/AIDS Overview 2020 [https://www.hiv.gov/federal-response/pepfar-global-aids/global-hiv-aids-overview.
Authors :  4
Identifiers
Doi : e0279890
SSN : 1932-6203
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Child
Other Terms
Study Design
Case Study,Descriptive Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative,Qualitative,Mixed Methods
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States