The quality of death and dying of patients with advanced cancer in hospice care in Uganda and Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: Minimal information is available about the quality of dying and death in Uganda and Kenya, which are African leaders in palliative care. We investigated the quality of dying and death in patients with advanced cancer who had received hospice care in Uganda or Kenya. METHODS: Observational study with bereaved caregivers of decedents (Uganda: n = 202; Kenya: n = 127) with advanced cancer who had received care from participating hospices in Uganda or Kenya. Participants completed the Quality of Dying and Death questionnaire and a measure of family satisfaction with cancer care (FAMCARE). RESULTS: Quality of Dying and Death Preparation and Connectedness subscales were most frequently rated as good to almost perfect for patients in both countries (45.5% to 81.9%), while Symptom Control and Transcendence subscales were most frequently rated as intermediate (42.6% to 60.4%). However, 35.4% to 67.7% of caregivers rated overall quality of dying and overall quality of death as terrible to poor. Ugandan caregivers reported lower Preparation, Connectedness, and Transcendence (p < .001). Controlling for covariates, overall quality of dying was associated with better Symptom Control in both countries (p < .001) and Transcendence in Uganda (p = .010); overall quality of death, with greater Transcendence in Uganda (p = .004); and family satisfaction with care, with better Preparation in Uganda (p = .004). SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Findings indicate strengths in spiritual and social domains of the quality of dying and death in patients who received hospice care in Uganda and Kenya, but better symptom control is needed to improve this outcome in these countries.

Identifying Barriers and Facilitators to Breast Cancer Early Detection and Subsequent Treatment Engagement in Kenya: A Qualitative Approach.

BACKGROUND: Early detection and prompt access to quality treatment and palliative care are critical for good breast cancer outcomes. Interventions require understanding of identified barriers and facilitators to care. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach, whose purpose is to describe feelings and lived experiences of participants, can expand the existing scope of understanding of barriers and facilitators in accessing breast cancer care in Kenya. METHODS: This is qualitative research applying focus groups and a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to identify barriers and facilitators to breast cancer care from the knowledge, perceptions, and lived experiences of women with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer in Kenya. We conducted four focus group discussions with 6-11 women aged 30-60 years in each. Groups were classified according to breast cancer diagnosis and socioeconomic status. The transcribed discussions were coded independently by two investigators. Together they reviewed the codes and identified themes. RESULTS: The key barriers were costs, inadequate knowledge, distance to health facilities, communication with health providers, medicines stockouts, long waiting periods, limited or no counseling at diagnosis, patient vulnerability, and limited access to rehabilitation items. Facilitators were dependable social support, periodical access to subsidized awareness, and early detection services and friendly caregivers. We found no marked differences in perceptions between groups by socioeconomic status. CONCLUSION: There is need for targeted awareness and education for health providers and the public, early detection services with onsite counseling and cost mitigation. Support from the society and religious organizations and persons may be leveraged as adjuncts to conventional management. Further interpretations are encouraged. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Continuing cancer education for health providers in technical skills for early detection, treatment, and survivorship care, as well as nontechnical skills like communication, and an understanding of their patients' preferences and socioeconomic status may guide individualized management plans and positively affect patient experiences. Patients and the general public also need education on cancer to avoid misconceptions and inaccuracies that perpetuate fear, confusion, delayed presentation for treatment, and stigma. Critical analysis of the cancer care value chain and processes, development, and implementation of interventions to reduce costs while streamlining processes may improve client experiences.

Evaluation of the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire in Kenya.

PURPOSE: A culturally appropriate, patient-centered measure of the quality of dying and death is needed to advance palliative care in Africa. We therefore evaluated the Quality of Dying and Death Questionnaire (QODD) in a Kenyan hospice sample and compared item ratings with those from a Canadian advanced-cancer sample. METHODS: Caregivers of deceased patients from three Kenyan hospices completed the QODD. Their QODD item ratings were compared with those from 602 caregivers of deceased patients with advanced cancer in Ontario, Canada, and were correlated with overall quality of dying and death ratings. RESULTS: Compared with the Ontario sample, outcomes in the Kenyan sample (N = 127; mean age, 48.21 years; standard deviation, 13.57 years) were worse on 14 QODD concerns and on overall quality of dying and death (P values ≤ .001) but better on five concerns, including interpersonal and religious/spiritual concerns (P values ≤ .005). Overall quality of dying was associated with better patient experiences with Symptoms and Personal Care, interpersonal, and religious/spiritual concerns (P values < .01). Preparation for Death, Treatment Preferences, and Moment of Death items showed the most omitted ratings. CONCLUSION: The quality of dying and death in Kenya is worse than in a setting with greater PC access, except in interpersonal and religious/spiritual domains. Cultural differences in perceptions of a good death and the acceptability of death-related discussions may affect ratings on the QODD. This measure requires revision and validation for use in African settings, but evidence from such patient-centered assessment tools can advance palliative care in this region.

Establishing Cohorts to Generate the Evidence Base to Reduce the Burden of Breast Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa: Results From a Feasibility Study in Kenya.

PURPOSE: By 2025, Kenya is estimated to experience a two-thirds increase in the incidence of breast cancer. Local research is necessary to generate evidence to inform policy, public health, and medical practice. There have been no longitudinal cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa of women with and without breast cancer. Our aim is to assess the feasibility of conducting cohort studies in Kenya that consider clinical characteristics, socioeconomic factors, and self-care behaviors. METHODS: We initiated a short-term follow-up cohort study of women with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer with baseline face-to-face data collection and one follow-up interview (at approximately 3 months by telephone). We developed tailored instruments to capture demographics, socioeconomic factors, breast cancer risk, ability to identify breast cancer symptoms, treatments received for breast cancer, and quality of life of survivors. RESULTS: We recruited 800 women between the ages of 20 and 60 years and successfully collected baseline data. Completeness of the data was high for demographic variables, but there was a larger proportion of missing information for specific variables required for assessing breast cancer risk. Respondents were able to complete standardized instruments to assess breast cancer knowledge among those without breast cancer and identification of symptoms among survivors. We were able to successfully contact approximately 80% of the participants for follow-up. CONCLUSION: This short-term follow-up study provides evidence that women can be successfully tracked and contacted for follow-up in the Kenyan setting and offers lessons to establish future longitudinal cohorts to identify approaches to improve breast cancer outcomes.

Social determinants and individual health-seeking behaviour among women in Kenya: protocol for a breast cancer cohort feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: A catastrophic 35% increase in the burden of breast cancer in Kenya has been predicted by 2025. Mitigating this burden is critical, and local research is necessary to generate the evidence to inform policy, public health and medical practice. Most of the knowledge available has been derived from studies in high-income countries that are not directly applicable due to economic, social, cultural and ethnic differences. At the time of writing this paper, we had no knowledge of any longitudinal cohort studies in sub-Saharan Africa of both breast cancer survivors and a matching cohort of women who have never had a diagnosis of cancer. We aim to assess feasibility of cohort studies in Kenya that consider clinical characteristics social determinants and individual health seeking behaviour. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study aims to inform best practices for initiating a longitudinal cohort study in Kenya. It is a two-pronged, prospective mixed methods study of women with and without a diagnosis of breast cancer with baseline data collection and one follow-up data collection approximately 3 months later by telephone. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected concurrently, analysed separately and together to enrich understanding of concepts by triangulation. We aim to include 800 women aged 30-60 years: 400 in the survivorship cohort and 400 in the non-cancer cohort. Two focus group discussions from each cohort will be carried out to enhance understanding of concepts and to guide recommendations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Independent ethical approval was obtained from Kenyatta National Hospital-University of Nairobi Ethics and Research Committee and the Research Triangle Institute International. Only consenting participants will be enrolled. Counselling support, debriefing discussions and referrals for formal support services will be available for both participants and research assistants. Findings will be disseminated through publications, websites and presentations.

Does being on TB treatment predict a higher burden of problems and concerns among HIV outpatients in Kenya? a cross-sectional self-report study.

Tuberculosis illness is associated with uncertain outcomes, and has high prevalence among people living with HIV. The new World Health Organization's End TB strategy specifies person-centred symptom management and psychosocial support alongside treatment within its pillars and components. There is a paucity of research to inform an effective care response in Kenya in terms of self-reported outcomes. We aimed to measure the three day period intensity of problems and concerns (physical, psychological, social and spiritual), and identify predictors of problems and concerns, among HIV patients attending outpatient care. We conducted a cross-sectional self-report quantitative study among adult (aged at least 18 years) patients with confirmed HIV diagnosis, and aware of their diagnosis and attending HIV outpatient care in Kenya. Multi-dimensional palliative care problems and concerns were collected using African Palliative Outcome Scale (APOS). Ordinal logistic regression assessed the association of multi-dimensional problems and concerns controlling for demographic variables (age, gender, education and wealth) and clinical variables (WHO clinical stage, HIV treatment status, TB treatment status, and CD4 count). We recruited N = 400 participants. N = 61 (15.64%) were on TB treatment. The items with worst score responses were help and advice to plan for the future (52.5%), ability to share feelings (46.25%), at peace (30.75%) pain (27%) and life worthwhile (18.75%). TB treatment status was associated with lower (worse) score for APOS total score (odds ratio .59, 95% CI .36 to .99; P = 0.046) and factor 3(existential and spiritual wellbeing: .55, .32 to .92; p = 0.023). Interestingly higher CD4 count was predictive of lower (worse) factor 3 outcomes (existential and spiritual wellbeing: .84, 95% CI 73 to .97; p = 0.014). This study informs the new WHO End TB policy with novel data on specific clinical needs. This calls for holistic symptom assessment, person-centred care and holistic management to respond positively to the End TB strategy.

Effect of participation in a randomised controlled trial of an integrated palliative care intervention on HIV-associated stigma.

We conducted in Kenya a mixed-methods randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a nurse-led palliative care intervention integrated with anti-retroviral therapy (ART) provision for the management of HIV. Here we report qualitative findings showing increased resistance to HIV-associated stigma among trial participants. A mixed method design was chosen to enable identification of the active ingredients of the intervention and exploration of participants' experiences of receiving the intervention. The RCT was conducted from July 2011 to November 2012 in a community hospital in the city of Mombasa, Kenya, with a sample of 120 adults with HIV on ART. Thirty participants were purposively selected to take part in a qualitative exit interview, based on study arm and mental health outcome. Inductive thematic analysis revealed increased resistance to HIV-associated stigma in both the intervention and control groups. Specifically, patients in both groups described benefit from the social support, compassionate care, and open and respectful communication they received through study participation. Participants described improved self-image, increased access to social agency, and increased resistance to HIV-associated stigma. Our findings suggest that there is potential to increase resistance to stigma through simple mechanisms of support, compassion, and improved communication in routine care. The self-reported impact of trial participation on stigma also has implications for future trials in populations in resource-constrained settings where stigma is common.

Active ingredients of a person-centred intervention for people on HIV treatment: analysis of mixed methods trial data.

BACKGROUND: A new model of care is required to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly in low and middle-income countries, where prevalence is highest. We evaluated a palliative care intervention for PLWH in Mombasa, Kenya. Although we found no effect on pain (primary outcome), there was a positive effect on mental health (secondary outcome) in the intervention group. To inform replication and implementation, we have determined the active ingredients of the intervention and their mechanisms of action. METHODS: We conducted a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with qualitative exit interviews in HIV clinic attenders. The intervention was delivered over 5 months, with a minimum of 7 clinical contacts. Longitudinal quantitative data on components of care received were analysed using area under the curve and logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Quantitative data analysis identified that intervention patients received more weak opioid, laxatives, discussion about spiritual worries, emotional support from staff for themselves and their families, time to talk about worries, discussion about future and planning ahead. Qualitative data analysis found that patients reported that having time to talk, appropriate pain medication and effective health education was of therapeutic value for their psychological well-being. Integration of mixed method findings suggest that positive effect in quantitative measures of mental health and well-being are attributable to the active ingredients of: appropriate medication, effective health education and counselling, and having time to talk in clinical encounters. Mechanisms of action include symptom relief, improved understanding of illness and treatment, and support focused on articulated concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Routine care must provide opportunities and means for existing clinical staff to make routine appointments more person-centred. This approach enabled staff to identify and manage multidimensional problems and provide tailored health education and counselling. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01608802 ). Registered 12th May 2012.

Patients' and caregivers' needs, experiences, preferences and research priorities in spiritual care: A focus group study across nine countries.

BACKGROUND: Spiritual distress is prevalent in advanced disease, but often neglected, resulting in unnecessary suffering. Evidence to inform spiritual care practices in palliative care is limited. AIM: To explore spiritual care needs, experiences, preferences and research priorities in an international sample of patients with life-limiting disease and family caregivers. DESIGN: Focus group study. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Separate patient and caregiver focus groups were conducted at 11 sites in South Africa, Kenya, South Korea, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Finland and Poland. Discussions were transcribed, translated into English and analysed thematically. RESULTS: A total of 74 patients participated: median age 62 years; 53 had cancer; 48 were women. In total, 71 caregivers participated: median age 61 years; 56 were women. Two-thirds of participants were Christian. Five themes are described: patients' and caregivers' spiritual concerns, understanding of spirituality and its role in illness, views and experiences of spiritual care, preferences regarding spiritual care, and research priorities. Participants reported wide-ranging spiritual concerns spanning existential, psychological, religious and social domains. Spirituality supported coping, but could also result in framing illness as punishment. Participants emphasised the need for staff competence in spiritual care. Spiritual care was reportedly lacking, primarily due to staff members' de-prioritisation and lack of time. Patients' research priorities included understanding the qualities of human connectedness and fostering these skills in staff. Caregivers' priorities included staff training, assessment, studying impact, and caregiver's spiritual care needs. CONCLUSION: To meet patient and caregiver preferences, healthcare providers should be able to address their spiritual concerns. Findings should inform patient- and caregiver-centred spiritual care provision, education and research.

Conducting experimental research in marginalised populations: clinical and methodological implications from a mixed-methods randomised controlled trial in Kenya.

Experimental studies to test interventions for people living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries are essential to ensure appropriate and effective clinical care. The implications of study participation on outcome data in such populations have been discussed theoretically, but rarely empirically examined. We aimed to explore the effects of participating in a randomised controlled trial conducted in an HIV clinic in Mombasa, Kenya. We report qualitative data from the Treatment Outcomes in Palliative Care trial, which evaluated the impact of a nurse-led palliative care intervention for HIV positive adults on antiretroviral therapy compared to standard care. Participants in both arms attended five monthly quantitative data collection appointments. Post-trial exit, 10 control and 20 intervention patients participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews, analysed using thematic analysis. We found benefit attributed to the compassion of the research team, social support, communication, completion of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and material support (transport reimbursement). Being treated with compassion and receiving social support enabled participants to build positive relationships with the research team, which improved mental health and well-being. Open and non-judgmental communication made participants feel accepted. Participants described how repeated completion of the PROMs was a prompt for reflection, through which they began to help themselves and self-care. Participant reimbursements relieved financial hardship and enabled them to fulfil their social responsibilities, enhancing self-worth. These findings emphasise the importance of compassion, support and effective communication in the clinical encounter, particularly in stigmatised and isolated populations, and the potential of the integration of simple PROMs to improve patient outcomes. Participation in research has unexpected positive benefits for participants, which should be taken into account when designing research in similar populations. Researchers should be aware of the effects of financial reimbursement and contact with researchers in isolated and impoverished communities.

Nurse-led palliative care for HIV-positive patients taking antiretroviral therapy in Kenya: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: People with HIV accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) have persistent physical, psychological, social, and spiritual problems, which are associated with poor quality of life and treatment outcomes. We assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led palliative care intervention on patient-reported outcomes. METHODS: We did this randomised controlled trial at a clinic in Kenya for adults with HIV, established on ART, and reporting moderate-to-severe pain or symptoms. We randomly assigned participants (1:1) either to a palliative care intervention (including assessments of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and quality of life) given six times over 4 months, or to usual care. Participants and investigators were not masked to allocation. The primary outcome was pain (scored on the African Palliative Care Association's African Palliative Outcome Scale). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01608802. FINDINGS: We screened 2070 patients, of whom we enrolled 120: 60 allocated to each group. In the control group, median pain score improved from 1·0 (IQR 0·0-2·0) at baseline to 5·0 (3·0-5·0) at 4 months; in the intervention group, it improved from 1·0 (0·0-2·0) at baseline to 4·5 (3·0-5·0) at 4 months. Compared with standard care, the intervention had no significant effect on pain (coefficient -0·01, 95% CI -0·36 to 0·34, p=0·95). INTERPRETATION: A nurse-led palliative care intervention was not effective in reducing pain. However, person-centred assessment and care delivered by staff who have received additional training had positive effects on self-reported mental health related quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing. FUNDING: Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.

Quality of life and wellbeing among HIV outpatients in East Africa: a multicentre observational study.

BACKGROUND: Global health investment has reduced HIV mortality and transmission. However, little is known of patient-reported outcomes alongside ART rollout. This study aimed to measure wellbeing using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMS) among outpatients at PEPFAR-funded facilities. METHODS: In a multicentre 2 country cross-sectional study, adults attending 12 facilities in Kenya and Uganda gave self-reported data on quality of life (physical and mental wellbeing dimensions), functional and a measure of multidimensional problems (physical, psychological, social and spiritual). RESULTS: Among the 1,337 participants, multidimensional problems were more common in psychological, spiritual and social domains than in physical. In multivariable analysis using GEE to adjust for facility effect, the mental health subscale of quality of life was lower for people with limited functional status (B = -5.27, 95% CI -5.99, 1. -4.56 p < 0.001) and higher for wealthier people (B = 0.91, 95% CI 0.48, 1.33, p < 0.001). The physical health subscale of quality of life was lower for those with limited functional status (B = -8.58, 95% CI -9.46 to -7.70, p < 0.001) and those who had a caregiver present (B = -1.97, 95% CI -3.72 to -0.23, p = 0.027), higher for wealthier people (B = 1.14, 95% CI 0.65, 1.64, p < 0.001), and positively associated with CD4 count (B = 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.14, p < 0.001). Multidimensional problems were more burdensome for people with limited functional status (B = -2.06, 95% CI -2.46 to -1.66, p < 0.001), and less burdensome with more education (B = 0.63, 95% CI 0.25-1.00, p = 0.001) or ART use (B = 0.94, 95% CI 0.34-1.53, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Multidimensional problems are highly prevalent, and worse with declining function. Importantly, ART use does not appear to be protective for self-reported physical and mental dimensions of quality of life. Assessment and management of self-reported wellbeing must form part of HIV care and treatment services to ensure maximum benefit from ART investment.

A randomised controlled trial to assess the effectiveness of a nurse-led palliative care intervention for HIV positive patients on antiretroviral therapy: recruitment, refusal, randomisation and missing data.

BACKGROUND: Despite the life threatening nature of an HIV diagnosis and the multidimensional problems experienced by this patient population during antiretroviral therapy, the effectiveness of a palliative care approach for HIV positive patients on ART is as yet unknown. FINDINGS: A randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in a sample of 120 HIV positive patients on ART in an urban clinic in Mombasa, Kenya. The intervention was a minimum of seven sessions of multidimensional, person-centred care, given by HIV nurses trained in the palliative care approach over a period of 5 months. Rates of recruitment and refusal, the effectiveness of the randomisation procedure, trial follow-up and attrition and extent of missing data are reported.120 patients (60 randomised to control arm, 60 randomised to intervention arm) were recruited over 5.5 months, with a refusal rate of 55.7%. During the study period, three participants died from cancer, three withdrew (two moved away and one withdrew due to time constraints). All of these patients were in the intervention arm: details are reported. There were five additional missing monthly interviews in both the control and intervention study arm, bringing the total of missing data to 26 data points (4.3%). DISCUSSION: The quality and implications of these data are discussed extensively and openly, including the effect of full and ethical consent procedures, respondent burden, HIV stigma, accurate randomisation, patient safety and the impact of the intervention. Data on recruitment randomisation, attrition and missing data in clinical trials should be routinely reported, in conjunction with the now established practice of publishing study protocols to enhance research integrity, transparency and quality. Transparency is especially important in cross cultural settings, in which the sources of funding and trial design are often not based in the country of data collection. Findings reported can be used to inform future RCTs in this area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01608802.

Palliative care-related self-report problems among cancer patients in East Africa: a two-country study.

PURPOSE: Palliative care-related problems have not been measured in Africa in line with the WHO definition. This study aimed to measure the three-day period intensity of multidimensional problems (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) among advanced cancer patients in Kenya and Uganda. METHODS: Adults with advanced malignant disease gave self-report data to the African Palliative Outcome Scale (POS). RESULTS: Among 210 respondents, more than half had an underlying HIV diagnosis (51.9 %). The worst ranked POS items were pain and information. In three multivariable ordinal logistic regression models with the 3 POS factors as dependent variables, for the first model (factor 1 physical and psychological well-being), as age increased, the well-being also improved (B = 0.022, p = 0.037), and as physical function score worsened, factor score also worsened (B = -0.685, p < 0.001). In the second model (factor 2 interpersonal well-being), a trend toward significance was found for gender, with being male predicting a higher (better) factor score (B = 0.502, p = 0.067). For the third model (factor 3 existential and spiritual), increasing age was predictive of higher (better) factor score (B = 0.023, p = 0.032), and worsening function was predictive of lower (worse) factor score (B = -0.543, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This novel data revealed pain and information to plan for the future to affect patients most severely, underlining the importance of analgesia and social support. HIV infection did not affect the level of need. Our data suggest increasing need as function declines; therefore, home-based models with adequate family support are essential.

Wellbeing among sub-Saharan African patients with advanced HIV and/or cancer: an international multicentred comparison study of two outcome measures.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high mortality rates of HIV and cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, there are few outcome tools and no comparative data across conditions. This study aimed to measure multidimensional wellbeing among advanced HIV and/or cancer patients in three African countries, and determine the relationship between two validated outcome measures. METHODS: Cross-sectional self-reported data from palliative care populations in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa using FACIT-G+Pal and POS measures. RESULTS: Among 461 participants across all countries, subscale "social and family wellbeing" had highest (best) score. Significant country effect showed lower (worse) scores for Uganda on 3 FACIT G subscales: Physical, Social + family, and functional. In multiple regression, country and functional status accounted for 21% variance in FACIT-Pal. Worsening functional status was associated with poorer POS score. Kenyans had worse POS score, followed by Uganda and South Africa. Matrix of correlational coefficients revealed moderate correlation between the POS and FACIT-Pal core scale (0.60), the FACIT-G and POS (0.64), and FACIT-G + Pal with POS (0.66). CONCLUSIONS: The data reveal best status for family and social wellbeing, which may reflect the sample being from less individualistic societies. The tools appear to measure different constructs of wellbeing in palliative care, and reveal different levels of wellbeing between countries. Those with poorest physical function require greatest palliative and supportive care, and this does not appear to differ according to diagnosis.

A psychometric evaluation of the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-palliative care (FACIT-Pal) scale with palliative care samples in three African countries.

CONTEXT: Although sub-Saharan Africa suffers the greatest burden of progressive illness, there are few outcome measures with adequate properties to measure needs and outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To examine the psychometric properties of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Palliative Care (FACIT-Pal) among people receiving palliative care in three African countries. METHODS: Adult patients in South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda gave self-reported data to the core FACIT-G plus Pal subscale. Data were subjected to factor analysis, corrected item-total correlations, and Cronbach's α for full scale and subscales. RESULTS: The resulting four factors bear a strong similarity to the original Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General in our sample of 461: physical symptoms, functional well-being, friends and family, and emotional well-being. Cronbach's α for the full 27-item scale was 0.90 and for the physical well-being, social/family well-being, emotional well-being, and functional well-being subscales, it was 0.83, 0.78, 0.80, and 0.87, respectively. Varimax rotation of the 19-item FACIT-Pal scale showed three clear interpretable factors. Factor 1, a sense of purpose and meaning in life; Factor 2, physical symptoms; and Factor 3, social integration. For the 19-item FACIT-Pal, Cronbach's α was 0.81, and individual corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.24 to 0.61. Cronbach's α for the eight items comprising Factor 1 (meaning in life) was 0.83. For the other two factors, it was 0.70 (physical symptoms, six items) and 0.68 (social integration, three items). CONCLUSION: The FACIT-Pal is a reliable multidimensional scale for people with life-limiting incurable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and the observed factors are interpretable and clinically meaningful.

The HIV basic care package: where is it available and who receives it? Findings from a mixed methods evaluation in Kenya and Uganda.

An evidence-based basic care package (BCP) of seven interventions (Family testing, Cotrimoxazole, Condoms, Multivitamins, Access to safe water treatment, Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT), and Insecticide-treated bednet) has been advocated to prevent infections among people with HIV in low-income settings. We examined the availability and receipt of the BCP in HIV outpatient clinics in Kenya and Uganda. A survey of 120 PEPFAR-funded facilities determined the services offered. At each of the 12 largest facilities, a longitudinal cohort of 100 patients was recruited to examine care received and health status over three months. The full BCP was offered in 14% (n = 17/120) of facilities; interventions most commonly offered were Support for family testing (87%) and Condoms (87%), and least commonly IPT (38%). Patients (n = 1335) most commonly reported receiving Cotrimoxazole (57%) and Multivitamins (36%), and least commonly IPT (4%), directly from the facility attended. The BCP (excluding Isoniazid) was received by 3% of patients directly from the facility and 24% from any location. BCP receipt was associated with using antiretroviral therapy (ART; OR 1.1 (95% CI 1.0-1.1), receipt from any location) but not with patient gender, wealth, education level or health. The BCP should be offered at more HIV care facilities, especially Isoniazid, and to more people irrespective of ART use. Coordinating local BCP suppliers could help improve availability through addressing logistical challenges or reducing costs.

Public preferences and priorities for end-of-life care in Kenya: a population-based street survey.

BACKGROUND: End-of-life care needs are great in Africa due to the burden of disease. This study aimed to explore public preferences and priorities for end-of-life care in Nairobi, Kenya. METHODS: Population-based street survey of Kenyans aged ≥18; researchers approached every 10th person, alternating men and women. Structured interviews investigated quality vs. quantity of life, care priorities, preferences for information, decision-making, place of death (most and least favourite) and focus of care in a hypothetical scenario of serious illness with <1 year to live. Descriptive analysis examined variations. RESULTS: 201 individuals were interviewed (100 women) representing 17 tribes (n = 90 44.8%, Kikuyu). 56.7% (n = 114) said they would always like to be told if they had limited time left. The majority (n = 121, 61.4%) preferred quality of life over quantity i.e. extending life (n = 47, 23.9%). Keeping a positive attitude and ensuring relatives/friends were not worried were prioritised above having pain/discomfort relieved. The three most concerning problems were pain (45.8%), family burden (34.8%) and personal psychological distress (29.8%). Home was both the most (51.1% n = 98) and least (23.7% n = 44) preferred place of death. CONCLUSION: This first population-based survey on preferences and priorities for end-of-life care in Africa revealed that psycho-social domains were of greatest importance to the public, but also identified variations that require further exploration. If citizens' preferences and priorities are to be met, the development of end-of-life care services to deliver preferences in Kenya should ensure an holistic model of palliative care responsive to individual preferences across care settings including at home.

The presence of CD4 counts for the management of HIV patients in East Africa: a multicentred study.

New WHO guidance stipulates six-monthly CD4 testing and treatment initiation at CD4 less than 350. This study aimed to determine the presence of CD4 results in patient records across five care facilities in Kenya, and to identify factors associated with the presence of CD4 count. This is a cross-sectional study of consecutive outpatients. Participants completed self-reported outcomes of demographics, and both physical and mental health dimensions of quality of life and function; charts were reviewed for a CD4 count in the previous 13 months; 548 patients participated. For those diagnosed during the 13-month study period, 7.1% of the sample had no CD4 result on record. For those diagnosed prior to the study, 8.7% had no result. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that 30 days post-HIV diagnosis, facility and antiretroviral therapy use were associated with the odds of having a CD4 result on file. At six months, poverty and prevalence of multidimensional problems were associated with lack of CD4 result. For those diagnosed prior to the observation period, education level was associated with more infrequent CD4 counts, and facility and number of dependants were associated with odds of a CD4 result within six months. Our data suggest inconsistencies in CD4 results availability within and between facilities. Implementation of new guidance will require a shift in practice.

Public priorities and preferences for end-of-life care in Namibia.

CONTEXT: Although quality end-of-life care provision is an international public health issue, the majority of evidence is not generated in low- and middle-income countries that bear a disproportionate burden of progressive illnesses. OBJECTIVES: To identify the priorities and preferences of the Namibian public for end-of-life care. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, data were collected in the country's capital, Windhoek, from November to December 2010. RESULTS: In total, 200 respondents were recruited. The mean age was 27 years (SD 7.5; range 18-69), with nearly all (n = 199; 99.5%) expressing a religious affiliation. Being in pain was reported as the most concerning of nine common end-of-life symptoms and problems (n = 52; 26.1%), and the most important care-related aspect was having as much information as wanted (n = 144; 72%). The majority (64%) would want their end-of-life care to focus on improving their quality of life rather than extending it, with 40% not wanting to know if they had limited time left to live. Hospital (n = 96; 48%) and home (n = 64; 32%) were the most preferred places of death. The most important end-of-life priority was keeping a positive attitude (n = 128; 64%). Having had a close relative or friend diagnosed with a serious illness was associated with a 2.3 increase in the odds of preference for a hospital death (odds ratio = 2.34, P = 0.009, 95% CI 1.23-4.47). CONCLUSION: This study identified a number of areas that need to be pursued in future research to explore factors that may affect patient preferences and priorities in end-of-life care in Namibia.