AEGiS-15IAC: Preparing to deliver ARV therapy in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa: Assessing the "readiness to deliver ARV" through a situation analysis study.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Preparing to deliver ARV therapy in KwaZulu Natal Province, South Africa: Assessing the "readiness to deliver ARV" through a situation analysis study.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1034)

Fisher AA, Miller RA, Snyman E, Ndhlovu L, Searle C
Horizons/Population Council, Washington DC, United States

BACKGROUND: South Africa is preparing to deliver ARVs to large numbers of PLHAs. Key to successfully implementing this activity will be strengthening the health care system in such areas as: VCT, provider skills, equipment, supplies, community support groups, and educational materials. In KwaZulu Natal the DOH with the Population Council conducted a Situation Analysis assessment in 98 randomly selected health facilities. The assessment examines the functioning or "readiness" of many different components of the health care system to delivery HIV/AIDS services. This paper describes the results from the assessment.

METHODS: Data consisted of observations of 418 clients receiving services, exit interviews, inventories of equipment and supplies at 98 facilities, and interviews with 229 providers. Using this data, we assessed readiness of facilities to provide HIV/AIDS services and scored each facility on a "readiness" index. Among components included: provider training, range of services pro vided, available of equipment, supplies, diagnostic tests, educational materials, and links with community groups.

RESULTS: 52% of the facilities offered VCT services, 28% had nevirapine, 63% had educational materials on HIV/AIDS, 95% had antibiotics for treating opportunistic infections, and over 40% had access to viral load and CD4 cell counts services. The 98 facilities were scored on an index of readiness to provide ARVs.

CONCLUSIONS: From the Situation Analysis the DOH has substantial information on the strengths and weaknesses of its present activities in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. ARVs can be delivered over a widespread area quickly by initially directing ARV drugs to facilities with high readiness index scores.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, South Africa, Research, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Anti-HIV Agents, Interviews, Health Services Accessibility, Humans, therapy

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