Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Assessing the Effectiveness of a Telemedicine Initiative in Clinical Management of Children Living with HIV/AIDS in Maharashtra, India.
Manglani, Mamta; Gabhale, Yashwant; Lala, Mamatha Murad; Balakrishnan, Sudha; Bhuyan, Khanindra; Rewari, Bharat Bhushan; Setia, Maninder Singh.
Afiliación
  • Manglani M; Pediatric Centre of Excellence for HIV, Department of Pediatrics, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
  • Gabhale Y; Pediatric Centre of Excellence for HIV, Department of Pediatrics, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
  • Lala MM; Pediatric Centre of Excellence for HIV, Department of Pediatrics, LTM Medical College and General Hospital, Mumbai, India.
  • Balakrishnan S; UNICEF, Near 73, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, 110003, India.
  • Bhuyan K; UNICEF, Near 73, Lodhi Gardens, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, 110003, India.
  • Rewari BB; WHO Regional Office of South East Asea, World Health House, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 002, India.
  • Setia MS; MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India.
Curr HIV Res ; 19(3): 201-215, 2021.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33397239
ABSTRACT

AIMS:

To evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in the clinical management of children living with HIV/AIDS in resource-limited settings ;

Background:

Telemedicine is an important mechanism for service delivery in health care settings, both in resource-rich and resource-poor settings. Such service delivery mechanisms have shown to be associated with virologic suppression and higher CD4 counts. These services are also associated with improved access, shorter visiting times, and higher patient satisfaction. ;

Objective:

We designed the present two-group comparison study to compare the clinical evaluation and management of children in the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centres linked to telemedicine facility with those who are not linked to this facility in Maharashtra, India. ;

Methods:

We analysed clinical records from six ART centres in Maharashtra; of these, 250 children were in the linked ART centres and 301 were in the non-linked ART centres. The outcomes were classified according to investigations, management, and monitoring. For management, we evaluated 1) Initiation of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis; 2) Children not initiated on ART when required; 3) ART regime after appropriate investigations; and 4) Change of regime (if immunologically indicated). For monitoring, we assessed the haematological monitoring of children on ART. ;

Results:

The mean (SD) ages of children in linked and non-linked ART centres were 10.8 (4.6) and 10.9 (4.6) years, respectively (p=0.80). After adjusting for individual and structural level variables, physical examination (OR 2.0, 95% CI; 1.2, 3.2), screening for tuberculosis (OR 12.9, 95% CI 2.0, 82.9) and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis were significantly more likely in the linked centres compared with non-linked centres (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4, 2.2). A higher proportion of children eligible for ART were not initiated on treatment in the non-linked centres compared with linked centres (26% vs. 8%, p=0.06). Children were less likely to be initiated on zidovudine-based regimens without baseline haemoglobin or with baseline haemoglobin of less than 9 gm% in linked centres (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.6, 0.8). Similarly, children in the linked centres were less likely to have been started on nevirapine-based regimens without baseline liver enzymes (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.7, 0.9). ;

Conclusion:

Thus, the overall clinical management of Children Living with HIV/ AIDS (CLHA) was better in ART centres linked with the telemedicine initiative compared with those who were not linked. Children in the linked ART centres were more likely to have a complete baseline assessment (physical, hematological, radiological, and screening for TB); the presence of a pediatrician in the centres was helpful.
Asunto(s)
Palabras clave

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Infecciones por VIH / Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida / Telemedicina / Fármacos Anti-VIH / Monitoreo Fisiológico Límite: Adolescent / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Male País/Región como asunto: Asia Idioma: En Revista: Curr HIV Res Asunto de la revista: SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS) Año: 2021 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: India

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Banco de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Infecciones por VIH / Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida / Telemedicina / Fármacos Anti-VIH / Monitoreo Fisiológico Límite: Adolescent / Child / Child, preschool / Female / Humans / Male País/Región como asunto: Asia Idioma: En Revista: Curr HIV Res Asunto de la revista: SINDROME DA IMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (AIDS) Año: 2021 Tipo del documento: Article País de afiliación: India