Patient and Provider Decision Making About HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Following Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Analysis.

ABSTRACT: To explore patient and health care provider HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) decision making following sexual assault, semistructured interviews regarding HIV PEP provision with 15 patients and 10 health care providers were conducted. A qualitative, descriptive, thematic analysis approach was used. Four themes were derived: (a) medical concerns; (b) emotional, trauma, and support factors; (c) daily medication management; and (d) ensuring access to HIV PEP. How participants described these themes and the importance placed on factors within each theme varied between the two groups. Altering provider communication so that HIV PEP discussions better align with patient decision-making factors (e.g., trauma and ability to take in information, how to manage side effects) could facilitate improvement in HIV PEP decision making following sexual assault for patients. High-level policy changes would improve HIV PEP access for sexual assault patients without necessitating the extraordinary efforts individual providers currently undertake.

Pathway From Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis to Action: How to Move People Forward.

Seven self-care behaviors-healthy coping, healthy eating, being active, taking medication, monitoring, reducing risk, and problem-solving-are recommended for individuals with diabetes to achieve optimal health and quality of life. People newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may find it challenging to learn and properly incorporate all of these self-care behaviors into their life. This qualitative study explored the experiences and perceived immediate self-management and psychosocial support needs in individuals newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Data analysis revealed the significant challenges individuals encounter after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Five main themes were identified: 1) type 2 diabetes diagnosis competes with other complex life challenges, 2) difficulty in performing behavior modification actions, 3) lack of support, 4) emergence of emotional and psychological issues, and 5) need for planned individualized follow-up support after a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. This study revealed a gap in care after type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Individualized support is needed to assist people in moving successfully from diagnosis to being well equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to properly manage the condition.

Remodeling Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis: What Individuals Need for Success.

The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes initiates a new health-illness transition. However, little is known about the immediate support that people need to successfully cope with this diagnosis. This qualitative study explored the experiences and immediate support needed at the point of diagnosis among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The findings suggest the need for health care professionals to render immediate emotional support in the form of reassurance and partnership to manage the condition together. Pre- and post-counseling sessions can minimize the emotional and psychological strain associated with the new diagnosis. Individuals should be given information on available resources, as well as an immediate connection with a health care partner who can provide guidance and help with the transition.

College students' experiences of sexual violence and reasons for seeking care in campus health and counseling centers.

OBJECTIVE: Examine associations between care seeking reasons in college health and counseling centers and sexual violence (SV). PARTICIPANTS: College students (n = 2,084 baseline, n = 1,170 one-year follow up) participating in a cluster randomized controlled trial of an SV reduction intervention on 28 campuses. METHODS: Computer-based survey data gathered during students' clinic visit and one-year follow up. RESULTS: Despite high prevalence of SV, students almost never sought care specifically for SV (0.5% of reported visits). Gender differences emerged for reasons students sought care generally, but were not associated with differences in care seeking among those who experienced SV. At baseline and one-year, students who reported SV were more likely to state mental or sexual and reproductive health as their reason for care seeking. CONCLUSION: Many students seeking care have experienced SV yet present with other health needs. Providers need to recognize this and have a low threshold for providing SV resources routinely.

What Individuals Want to Hear at the Point of Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis.

Recent studies have shown that the time of diagnosis with type 2 diabetes is often not a teachable moment because of heightened emotions. Yet, research also shows that individuals who are newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes need reassurance and a clear pathway to obtain the education and support needed to self-manage the condition. This article reports on qualitative research exploring the experiences of individuals with type 2 diabetes at the time of diagnosis, including information they wanted to hear and learn at diagnosis. The findings suggest that initial communication should offer reassurance and establish a partnership between the diagnosed individual and the health care provider to identify next steps toward self-management success.

Needs assessment of community health workers to enhance efficient delivery of their services for community case management of malaria in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Malaria continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. Community Case Management of malaria (CCMm) which is undertaken by engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) to effectively address management of malaria cases in some endemic communities was explored in this study. The aim was to assess the needs of CHWs that would help sustain and retain their services to enhance the efficient delivery of CCMm. METHODS: Using semi-structured questionnaires, data on the needs of CHWs was gathered through a qualitative study consisting of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted among study participants in five districts in western Kenya. The study participants comprised of 100 CHWs, 100 mothers of children under five years and 25 key informants made up of public health officers and clinicians involved in the CCMm. The interviews were conducted in English and Swahili or Dholuo, the local language. The recorded audio interviews were transcribed later. The analysis was done using NVivo version 7 software and transcripts were coded after which themes related to the objectives of the study were identified. RESULTS: All the study participants recognized the need to train and update CHWs on their work as well as remunerating them for their services to enhance efficient delivery of services. The CHWs on their part perceived the provision of gloves, rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs), lancets, cotton wool and ethanol, bins (to dispose of RDTs and lancets), together with drugs for treating clients as the essential needs to undertake CCMm in the communities. Other logistical needs and incentives mentioned by CHWs and key informants for the successful delivery of CCMm included: gumboots, raincoats, torch lights, mobile phones, means of transportation (bicycles and motorbikes), uniforms and ID cards for identification. CONCLUSIONS: CHWs would perform tasks better and their services retained for a sustainable CCMm if: properly incentivized; offered refresher trainings (and updates) on malaria; and equipped with the requisite tools identified in this study.

Challenges of achieving sustainable community health services for community case management of malaria.

BACKGROUND: Community Case Management of malaria (CCMm) using Community Health Workers (CHWs) is an approach to improve access to timely and effective malaria case management in malaria endemic countries. So far the programme has been shown to be effective in many communities in sub-Saharan Africa. However, questions remain on the sustainability of this programme due to the high dropout cases of CHWs given their modest remuneration. The aim of the study was to identify challenges of achieving sustainable community health services for CCMm. METHODS: A community based qualitative study was conducted in five districts in western Kenya where CCMm was being undertaken. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with the CHWs, mothers of children under-five years and key informants such as public health officers and clinicians involved in the CCMm. The interviews were audio recorded and conducted in English, Swahili and the local language. Recorded interviews were transcribed. Analysis was conducted using NVivo version 7 software, where transcripts were coded after which themes related to the objectives of the study were identified. RESULTS: The community members, the CHWs and stakeholders perceived CCMm as an important approach for reducing the burden of malaria. Key informants perceived lack of basic supplies (RDTs, gloves), drugs, inadequate remuneration of CHWs and lack of basic working equipment as challenges for CCM. CHWs highlighted that lack of drugs and basic supplies such as gloves at the health facilities, inadequate community sensitization by health workers, inadequate stipend to meet basic needs, as challenges of achieving sustainable CCMm. Some clinicians perceived that CHWs should not be given Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as part of the CCMm since they might misuse them. CONCLUSION: This study shows that for CCMm to be sustainable, concerted efforts from stakeholders are needed to boost the programme. Commodities needed for implementation of the programme need to be readily available and the morale of the CHWs who undertake CCMm needs boosting.