Care for AIDS patients in developing countries: a review.

ABSTRACT

PIP: The current experience of developing countries in dealing with AIDS patient care management are reviewed and areas where further research is needed are identified. WHO estimates that since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 8-10 million adults and 1 million children worldwide have become infected with HIV, most of whom will eventually develop AIDS. While ample research on treatment and care for AIDS patients in developed countries exists, there is little information available from developing countries, whose health care systems already suffer serious constraints. Current care practices for AIDS patients include clinical management (diagnosis, antiretroviral treatment, and treatment and prevention of opportunistic infections), nursing and palliative care, counseling, and support. Many of the treatments used in developed countries, however, man not be realistic for developing countries, given the differences in available resources and the presence of different opportunistic infections. The impact of the AIDS epidemic so far on developing countries' health system is examined. Issues discussed include health services utilization, human resources, drugs, cost of care, and financial resources. 2 commonly cited models for patient care in developing countries are also discussed: the specialized outpatient clinic and home-based care. The following areas where further research is crucial are identified: 1) standardized treatment schemes for AIDS patients, 2) low-cost supportive treatment of AIDS patients, and 3) the cost-efficiency of outpatient and home-based care. It is suggested that the potential benefit of using HIV/AIDS patients to promote HIV prevention should be acknowledged.