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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1888
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| Title: | Multiple ART programs create a dilemma for providers to monitor ARV adherence in Uganda. |
| Authors: | Obua, Celestino
Waako, Paul
Gusdal, Annelie
Chalker, John C.
Goran, Tomson
Wahlström, Rolf
INRUD-IAA Team |
| Keywords: | HIV/AIDS
Antiretroviral therapy
PLWHA
Adherence
Uganda
Sub-Saharan African |
| Issue Date: | 2010 |
| Publisher: | Bentham Open |
| Citation: | Obua, C., Waako, P., Gusdal, A., Chalker, J.C., Goran, T., Wahlström, R., INRUD-IAA Team (2010). Multiple ART programs create a dilemma for providers to monitor ARV adherence in Uganda. The Open AIDS Journal, 4 |
| Abstract: | Background: Increased availability and accessibility of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved the length
and quality of life amongst people living with HIV/AIDS. This has changed the landscape for care from episodic to longterm
care that requires more monitoring of adherence. This has led to increased demand on human resources, a major
problem for most ART programs. This paper presents experiences and perspectives of providers in ART facilities,
exploring the organizational factors affecting their capacity to monitor adherence to ARVs.
Methods: From an earlier survey to test adherence indicators and rank facilities as good, medium or poor adherence
performances, six facilities were randomly selected, two from each rank. Observations on facility set-up, provider-patient
interactions and key informant interviews were carried out. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats identified
by health workers as facilitators or barriers to their capacity to monitor adherence to ARVs were explored during group
discussions.
Results: Findings show that the performance levels of the facilities were characterized by four different organizational
ART programs operating in Uganda, with apparent lack of integration and coordination at the facilities. Of the six
facilities studied, the two high adherence performing facilities were Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) programs,
while facilities with dual organizational programs (Governmental/NGO) performed poorly. Working conditions, record
keeping and the duality of programs underscored the providers’ capacity to monitor adherence. Overall 70% of the
observed provider-patient interactions were conducted in environments that ensured privacy of the patient. The mean
performance for record keeping was 79% and 50% in the high and low performing facilities respectively. Providers often
found it difficult to monitor adherence due to the conflicting demands from the different organizational ART programs.
Conclusion: Organizational duality at facilities is a major factor in poor adherence monitoring. The different ART
programs in Uganda need to be coordinated and integrated into a single well resourced program to improve ART services
and adherence monitoring. The focus on long-term care of patients on ART requires that the limitations to providers’
capacity for monitoring adherence become central during the planning and implementation of ART programs |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1888 |
| ISSN: | 1874-6136 |
| Appears in Collections: | Research Articles (Health-Sciences)
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| obua-chs-res.pdf | | 673Kb | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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