Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living wit...Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living with HIV. As such adoption of screening tools during targeted HIV testing services improves efficiency by identifying individuals who are likely to test positive. Effective utilization of screening tools requires an understanding of health care worker perception and willingness to use the tools. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among healthcare workers at 8 selected primary healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe. Interviewer-guided, in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and their immediate supervisors. Thematic analysis was performed following a framework built around the grounded theory model to describe perspectives that influence the utilization of HIV screening tools and suggestions for improved eligibility screening. Results: Behavioural factors facilitating the utilisation of the screening tool included motivation to adhere to standard practice, awareness of screening in targeting testing, and its ability to manage workload through screening out ineligible clients. This was evident across service delivery levels. Barriers included limited healthcare capacity, confidentiality space, multiple screening tools and opaque screening in/out criteria and the potential of clients not responding to screening questions truthfully. Conclusions: Across geographical and service delivery levels, placing screening tools at HIV testing entry points, healthcare worker knowledge on screening in/out criteria emerged as enablers for correct and consistent utilization. Further, standardizing the tools and adopting a decision aid algorithm would improve the accurate utilisation of screening tools.展开更多
Introduction: In India, tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem and there is a growing concern about drug-resistant tuberculosis as most of the patients are from private sector. The National TB Elim...Introduction: In India, tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem and there is a growing concern about drug-resistant tuberculosis as most of the patients are from private sector. The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in collaboration with TB Alert, India (TBAI) and Clinton Health Association of India (CHAI) had implemented a collaborative project to strengthen the network between the private practitioners and public healthcare facilities in New Delhi during 2019 and 2020. Methods: A study was conducted to understand the enablers and challenges encountered by them during the implementation of the project. This is a qualitative exploration of the “healthcare providers” on a project linking DR-TB patients in private sector with government health facilities. The process of data collection involved face-to-face in-depth interviews of healthcare providers, the Doctors mainly from private and public health facilities, the paramedical workers from general health system and paramedical from the project using an interview guide administered through a trained researcher. Results: The study findings revealed that all healthcare providers were completely aware of the DOST project in the health system, the model led to early diagnosis and initiation of quality treatment. There were no major challenges to the implementation of the project. The healthcare providers wish to have this project implemented for a longer duration. Conclusion: The perspectives of healthcare providers towards the “DOST” project were optimistic and call for re-initiating the project in the area.展开更多
文摘Background: Zimbabwe recorded a 55% increase in HIV testing from 2011 to 2018 but with decreasing HIV-testing yields from 20% to 6% respectively as we aim to identify the narrowing gap of undiagnosed people living with HIV. As such adoption of screening tools during targeted HIV testing services improves efficiency by identifying individuals who are likely to test positive. Effective utilization of screening tools requires an understanding of health care worker perception and willingness to use the tools. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among healthcare workers at 8 selected primary healthcare facilities in Zimbabwe. Interviewer-guided, in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and their immediate supervisors. Thematic analysis was performed following a framework built around the grounded theory model to describe perspectives that influence the utilization of HIV screening tools and suggestions for improved eligibility screening. Results: Behavioural factors facilitating the utilisation of the screening tool included motivation to adhere to standard practice, awareness of screening in targeting testing, and its ability to manage workload through screening out ineligible clients. This was evident across service delivery levels. Barriers included limited healthcare capacity, confidentiality space, multiple screening tools and opaque screening in/out criteria and the potential of clients not responding to screening questions truthfully. Conclusions: Across geographical and service delivery levels, placing screening tools at HIV testing entry points, healthcare worker knowledge on screening in/out criteria emerged as enablers for correct and consistent utilization. Further, standardizing the tools and adopting a decision aid algorithm would improve the accurate utilisation of screening tools.
文摘Introduction: In India, tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem and there is a growing concern about drug-resistant tuberculosis as most of the patients are from private sector. The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) in collaboration with TB Alert, India (TBAI) and Clinton Health Association of India (CHAI) had implemented a collaborative project to strengthen the network between the private practitioners and public healthcare facilities in New Delhi during 2019 and 2020. Methods: A study was conducted to understand the enablers and challenges encountered by them during the implementation of the project. This is a qualitative exploration of the “healthcare providers” on a project linking DR-TB patients in private sector with government health facilities. The process of data collection involved face-to-face in-depth interviews of healthcare providers, the Doctors mainly from private and public health facilities, the paramedical workers from general health system and paramedical from the project using an interview guide administered through a trained researcher. Results: The study findings revealed that all healthcare providers were completely aware of the DOST project in the health system, the model led to early diagnosis and initiation of quality treatment. There were no major challenges to the implementation of the project. The healthcare providers wish to have this project implemented for a longer duration. Conclusion: The perspectives of healthcare providers towards the “DOST” project were optimistic and call for re-initiating the project in the area.
