Perceptions of women enrolled in a cardiovascular disease screening and prevention in HIV study.

BACKGROUND: The ISCHeMiA (integration of cardiovascular disease screening and prevention in the human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] management plan for women of reproductive age) study is an ongoing, 3-year, prospective, quasi-experimental study comparing usual care to a primary health care intervention plan guided by the World Health Organization Package of Essential Non-Communicable (WHO-PEN) disease interventions. Sixty eight percent of women were overweight or obese at baseline in the ISCHeMiA study, many of whom reported nonadherence to interventions at 6 months post enrolment. This study explores the perceptions of women living with HIV (WHIV) towards their participation in the ISCHeMiA study to understand the barriers and facilitators to lifestyle modification interventions for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk prevention. METHODS: A qualitative enquiry using semistructured interviews was conducted with 30 overweight WHIV at one year post-enrolment in the WHO-PEN intervention arm of the ISCHeMiA study. Data were transcribed verbatim following the interviews and analysed using conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the data, namely perceived body image, benefits barriers and recommendations to improve adherence to WHO-PEN lifestyle modification management. CONCLUSION: Women in the ISCHeMiA study believed that HIV associated stigma hindered access to care. Financial limitations and the lack of social support posed barriers to adherence to programme participation. They were further challenged by poor body image perception. Participants believed that such interventions offered them hope and feelings of improved well-being. Women recommended that lifestyle modification interventions such as those studied in the ISCHeMiA study should include partners and family to improve adherence through social support.

Child functioning and disability in children living with human immunodeficiency virus in a semi-rural healthcare setting in South Africa.

BACKGROUND: Children living with HIV (CLHIV) often experience HIV-related impairment and disability. AIM: The study sought to understand the level of child functioning and access to rehabilitative care in the context of South African healthcare in order to inform an integrated rehabilitative framework. SETTING: District level semi-rural healthcare facility in KwaZulu-Natal. METHODS: The Washington Group/United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Module on Child Functioning, was administered to carers of CLHIV aged between 5 and 10 years, and accessing care at the study setting. RESULTS: Forty-four caregivers of children receiving treatment from June 2018 to March 2019, at the facility, participated. Four (9.1%) children had difficulty with seeing, 13 (29.5%) children had difficulty with hearing and 10 (22.7%) children had difficulty with walking. In the cognitive and behavioural domains, 17 (38.6%) children reported difficulties in communication and concentration, with 16 (36.4%) children experiencing difficulties in learning and remembering. Difficulties reported in accepting change and controlling behaviour were both experienced by 23 (52.3%) children. Although many children experiencing impairments were referred for rehabilitation, many caregivers did not follow-up after the initial assessment, because of financial constraints, lack of time and transport restrictions. CONCLUSION: Functional difficulties were frequently experienced by children living with HIV. Disability screening would be beneficial at various points of care to promote early identification and timely referral to healthcare professionals. Decentralising rehabilitative care to homes and communities could offer a solution to some of the reported barriers to accessing care.

Child functioning and disability in children living with human immunodeficiency virus in a semi-rural healthcare setting in South Africa

Background: Children living with HIV (CLHIV) often experience HIV-related impairment and disability. Aim: The study sought to understand the level of child functioning and access to rehabilitative care in the context of South African healthcare in order to inform an integrated rehabilitative framework. Setting: District level semi-rural healthcare facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Methods: The Washington Group/United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Module on Child Functioning, was administered to carers of CLHIV aged between 5 and 10 years, and accessing care at the study setting. Results: Forty-four caregivers of children receiving treatment from June 2018 to March 2019, at the facility, participated. Four (9.1%) children had difficulty with seeing, 13 (29.5%) children had difficulty with hearing and 10 (22.7%) children had difficulty with walking. In the cognitive and behavioural domains, 17 (38.6%) children reported difficulties in communication and concentration, with 16 (36.4%) children experiencing difficulties in learning and remembering. Difficulties reported in accepting change and controlling behaviour were both experienced by 23 (52.3%) children. Although many children experiencing impairments were referred for rehabilitation, many caregivers did not follow-up after the initial assessment, because of financial constraints, lack of time and transport restrictions. Conclusion: Functional difficulties were frequently experienced by children living with HIV. Disability screening would be beneficial at various points of care to promote early identification and timely referral to healthcare professionals. Decentralising rehabilitative care to homes and communities could offer a solution to some of the reported barriers to accessing care