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13th International AIDS ConferenceDurban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000 |
Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. ThOrB709)
Moss V, Sozi C, Seruyange H, Ndaze P
V. Moss, Mildmay International, The Mildmay Centre, PO Box 24985, Kampala, Uganda, Tel.: +256 41 200862, Fax: +256 41 200861, E-mail: vronmoss@hotmail.com
BACKGROUND: Palliative care is the total active care of a person with a progressive life-limiting condition (such as HIV/AIDS) which is not responsive to curative treatment. Its emphasis is on promoting quality of life through good management of symptoms and medical problems, rehabilitation using an inter-disciplinary appraoch,and integrating social, psychological and spiritual care into the total care for the patient and the family. The Mildmay Centre in Uganda has successfully developed this approach, with training for health workers, volunteers and family carers.
METHODS: A prospective collection of clinical data on 200 patients consecutively registering and attending outpatient clinics in the last quarter of 1999 (second year of operation) is analysed and compared with a similar cohort attending one year earlier (in the first year of operation). Data analysed includes diagnoses and symptoms at presentation, referrals between team members, and outcomes of treatment after 4 outpatient attendances.
RESULTS: Pain is the most frequently recorded symptom (more than 50%); causes are further analysed. More than 70% benefit significantly, the rest being lost to follow-up, or having conditions requiring longer to resolve than 4 visits, or have died.The second year cohort shows improvement in outcome scores as compared to the first year cohort, and return to independence, with an increase in appropriate referrals and a development of expertise in the team.
CONCLUSION: An AIDS rehabilitation and palliative care approach can contribute significantly to cost-effective care for people living with HIV/AIDS in resource limited settings.
Copyright © 2000 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.
