Department of Community Health Science

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Browsing Department of Community Health Science by Subject "AIDS (Disease), Namibia"

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    Assessment of determinants and levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected people in Opuwo district, Kunene region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Nghoshi, Severen S.
    Since the beginning of the outbreak of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, more than 78 million people have been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 39 million people have died globally (UNAIDS, 2014, p. 123). In Namibia, AIDS is the leading cause of death accounting for 23% of deaths (CDC in Namibia, fact sheet, 2013, & WHO Namibia, 2011). Adherence to medication refers to the extent to which a patient takes a medication in the way intended by a health care provider (Machtinger & Bangsberg, 2006). Very high levels of adherence, taking at least 95% of prescribed doses, are required to achieve sustained suppression of HIV replication over time. Namibia has a national ART coverage of 84%, but the coverage per health district differs (MoHSS, 2012). A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional, analytical research design was used to assess the levels and determinants of adherence to ART in HIV infected people in Opuwo district. Specific objectives were; to determine the levels of adherence to ART among HIV infected people in Opuwo district and to identify determinants of adherence to ART in Opuwo district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for self-reporting method, while the pill count was conducted by subtracting the number of pills left from those given. Pharmacy records were reviewed to determine the appoint keeping. Health workers were also interviewed. The study finds that the levels of adherence to ART measured by pill count and by self-reporting were 73% and 70% respectively. The determinant which is associated with adherence was educational level. Females had higher adherence, beingSince the beginning of the outbreak of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, more than 78 million people have been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and 39 million people have died globally (UNAIDS, 2014, p. 123). In Namibia, AIDS is the leading cause of death accounting for 23% of deaths (CDC in Namibia, fact sheet, 2013, & WHO Namibia, 2011). Adherence to medication refers to the extent to which a patient takes a medication in the way intended by a health care provider (Machtinger & Bangsberg, 2006). Very high levels of adherence, taking at least 95% of prescribed doses, are required to achieve sustained suppression of HIV replication over time. Namibia has a national ART coverage of 84%, but the coverage per health district differs (MoHSS, 2012). A quantitative, descriptive, exploratory, cross-sectional, analytical research design was used to assess the levels and determinants of adherence to ART in HIV infected people in Opuwo district. Specific objectives were; to determine the levels of adherence to ART among HIV infected people in Opuwo district and to identify determinants of adherence to ART in Opuwo district. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data for self-reporting method, while the pill count was conducted by subtracting the number of pills left from those given. Pharmacy records were reviewed to determine the appoint keeping. Health workers were also interviewed. The study finds that the levels of adherence to ART measured by pill count and by self-reporting were 73% and 70% respectively. The determinant which is associated with adherence was educational level. Females had higher adherence, being employed, being married or cohabitating also favoured higher adherence. Distance to facilities, travelling, alcohol usage, dietary requirements, side effects were identified as barrier to adherence by not statistically significant. The researcher recommended health education on ART, recruitments of more health worker, tracing of defaulters and late comers, a vehicle specific for ART services, and training at health worker at all facilities to enable them to give ART.
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    Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards HIV and AIDS prevention measures among male learners in secondary schools in Oshana region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2017) Shikulo, Peneyambeko I.
    Despite mass media campaigns to provide information on how to promote healthy lifestyle and sexual behaviour among the population, especially among the youth, there is evidence that risky sexual behaviour are more prevalent among males than females (UNAIDS, 2013c), putting them at the risk of acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Not much is known about the knowledge, attitude and practices of male learners in secondary schools in Namibia on HIV prevention and their practices thereof. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices on HIV and AIDS prevention measures among male learners in secondary schools in Oshana Region. A quantitative approach using a cross sectional study design was employed. Quantitative approach was considered appropriate to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices toward HIV and AIDS preventive measures among male learners in the above region. A total population of five hundred and ninety two (592) male learners, aged 14-21 years from four (4) Secondary Schools in Oshana region was included in the study. Data was collected by utilizing an anonymous structured questionnaire with mostly close-ended questions. Data analysis was done using Epi-Info version 7 (CDC) and SPSS version 17 (IBM). Descriptive analysis of knowledge was presented using proportions and frequencies. The score of attitudes was categorized as positive or negative and practices were categorized as safe or risky practices. The responses were listed and similar responses were grouped together to understand the suggestions from the respondents on effective HIV preventive measures among youth. Based on the study results, there was a high level of awareness among the respondents on HIV/AIDS routes of transmission, control and preventive measures. However, misconceptions about HIV and AIDS transmission exist among some of the respondents. The study findings revealed that negative attitudes towards people with HIV and AIDS are relatively low from 1.4% to 2.9%. However, some risky sexual practices have also been observed among the respondents. The study revealed that among all respondents in all the schools surveyed, over 25% had engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse. The majority of the learners who participated in the study believe that condom use and being faithful to a partner were the most effective HIV preventive measures among the youth. Recommendations are made to strengthen health education among youth, and reproductive health consequences of pre-marital sex should be explained to learners to prevent complications of reproductive tract infection. It is also essential to involve youth from the initial process of planning or designing HIV and AIDS prevention programmes. Their engagement in the development of HIV-prevention programmes is critical to programme success. The study was strictly voluntary and confidentiality ensured. Future studies should similarly address knowledge, attitude and practices on HIV prevention among female learners as well as look into factors that influence the utilization of existing HIV/AIDS prevention programmes among the youth.
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    Level of male involvement and factors influencing involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Oshakati, Oshana Region
    (University of Namibia, 2016) Shiyagaya, Karolina N.
    The largest source of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in children is through mother-to-child transmission and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programme plays a big role in reducing the infection. However, its effectiveness depends on the involvement of male partners, considering the fact that men are decision-makers in many of the African families, who make important decisions that have a big impact on women’s health. Male involvement remains a challenge in most low- and middle-income countries, including Namibia. In an effort to reduce the HIV infection among infants and young children in the country, the Ministry of Health and Social Services implemented the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV programme in 2002, unfortunately, only 4.7% of the male partners managed to visit the ANC / PMTCT facilities in Oshakati District, for a period of ten years. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional and analytical study on the level of male involvement and factors influencing involvement in the prevention of mother -to -child transmission of HIV programme in Oshakati district was carried out. The purpose of the study was to determine the level of male involvement and factors associated with involvement in PMTCT in the Oshakati District. The objectives were to determine the level of male involvement and factors contributing to involvement in PMTCT. The population consisted of males, whose female partners were attending the antenatal care in the Oshakati District. A purposive sampling technique was used to sample 115 male partners. A pilot test was carried out before the actual data collection. Data was collected using a standardised interview questionnaire and were analysed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. The data analysis revealed statistical significant associations between education level (0.001), age of female partners (0.002) and type of a relationship (0.005) and male involvement. Other factors identified were attitudes and beliefs about PMTCT, lack of information about PMTCT, culture, lack of trust within the relationship, time and health system. The study recommended for the multi-sectoral approach and for the appropriate changes in labour legislations, in order to improve the PMTCT outcomes. The implementation of male champion strategy should be embraced as an attempt to change the negative attitudes and beliefs by men, by making them effective educators and advocators for PMTCT. The programme should consider involving men and opinion leaders in the monitoring and evaluation exercises through community consultative meetings since the key factors that influence male involvement in PMTCT include inadequate knowledge and misconception about HIV and PMTCT. The study concluded that male partners lack knowledge about PMTCT, hence their level of involvement is limited.