Magister Public Health - MPH (Public Health)

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https://hdl.handle.net/10566/11948

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Browsing by Subject "HIV"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Exploring the experiences and perceptions of adolescents and young adults of adherence to antiretroviral therapy treatment at a referral opportunistic infection clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe
    (University of the Western Cape, 2025) Matikiti, Hardwicke; van Wyk, Brian
    Background: The HIV pandemic continues to have a significant impact on global public health with approximately 39 million people infected with HIV. According to estimates, there are 1.65 million adolescents living with HIV worldwide, of which 85% live in sub-Saharan Africa. While HIV/AIDS-related mortality is decreasing for most age groups, it is not declining for Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) (aged 15–24 years). Poor adherence among AYAs contributes to the poor outcomes of HIV interventions. The aim of the current study was to explore the experiences and perceptions of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among AYAs at a referral Opportunistic Infection Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methodology: The study employed qualitative methods, where data was collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 AYAs and 5 key informants at a referral Opportunistic Infection Clinic in Harare, Zimbabwe. All the interviews were audio-recorded, and Shona recordings were translated to English before transcription. An inductive thematic analysis was done.
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    Factors associated with viral non-suppression among HIV positive adults on antiretroviral therapy in Luapula Province, Zambia.
    (Universty of the Western Cape, 2024) Mvududu, Don Tafadzwa Kudzanai; van Wyk, Brian
    HIV is a significant global public health concern, with approximately 38 million individuals living with HIV by the end of 2021 globally. Zambia has a high HIV burden, with an adult prevalence of 11% in 2021. Despite significant progress in the uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by individuals living with HIV, Zambia still struggles to reach the epidemic control targets of 95-95-95 set by UNAIDS, with recent reports estimating viral suppression rate at 90%. It is therefore, imperative to investigate the factors that are associated with viral non-suppression, particularly in rural settings like Luapula Province, Zambia, where few research has been done to date. The current study describes the prevalence and factors associated with viral non-suppression among HIV positive adults on ART in Luapula Province, Zambia.
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    Retention in care among HIV-positive clients on anti-retroviral therapy who inject drugs in three South African districts
    (University of the Western Cape, 2024) Mngomezulu, Phumzile Cynthia; van Wyk, Brian
    Background: South Africa is part of numerous trade routes for illicit drugs and this has led to increased drug trafficking over the years. Furthermore, South Africa also has the highest prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) globally. People who inject drugs (PWID) are identified as a key population in the fight against the HIV pandemic. It is well noted that PWID report poor adherence and low retention in care on anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Optimal adherence to ART and remaining engaged in care are critical for people living with HIV to achieve viral suppression. The current study aimed to determine retention in care and its risk factors among PWID initiated on ART in three South African district municipalities. Methodology: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 333 PWID, aged 18 years and older, who were initiated on ART between July 2022 and March 2023 in three district municipalities. Routine health data and opioid substitution therapy (OST) data were extracted from Tier.net database for each participant. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28. Survival analysis was conducted using Stata 15. Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine factors associated with retention in care. Results: Retention in care for PWID after six months on ART was low at 40% (n=132). In the bivariate analysis, duration on ART (p<0.001*), baseline CD4 count (p=0.0002*), and treatment support (p<0.001*) for those on OST were all significantly associated with retention in care. From the Cox proportional analysis, only housing and enrolment in OST were predictors of loss to follow-up. The probability of loss to follow-up increased with unstable housing (Adjusted Hazards Ratio (AHR) = 4.94; CI: 2.35–10.35) and was significantly lower among those enrolled in OST (AHR = 0.25; CI: 0.10–0.60).