Role and contribution of private healthcare sector doctors in the management of HIV-infected patients in the eThekwini Metropolitan area of KwaZulu-Natal.
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Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MedPharm
Abstract
Private healthcare sector doctors have a pivotal role to play in the management of HIV and AIDS infection. These doctors need to have an accurate knowledge of the management of the
infection, and a positive attitude towards the treatment of persons with HIV and AIDS. This
study investigated the extent of private healthcare sector doctor involvement in the
management of HIV and AIDS patients and their training needs. Across sectional descriptive
study of private general practitioners and specialists was undertaken in the eThekwini Metro
of KwaZulu-Natal. Structured self-report questionnaires were sent to 931 private healthcare
sector doctors. Of the 331 (35.6%) responses received, three doctors did not complete the
questionnaire, 235 (71.6%) doctors managed HIV and AIDS patients, but 93 (28.4%) doctors
did not; of these, 48 (51.61%) had not encountered HIV and AIDS patients, 25 (26.88%)
referred such patients to specialists, six (6.45%) cited cost factors as reasons for not treating
such patients, whilst 12 (12.90%) doctors, though they indicated that there were other reasons
for not managing HIV-infected patients, did not specify the reason. Two doctors (2.15%)
indicated that due to inadequate knowledge they did not manage HIV and AIDS patients.
Most doctors, 151 (63.5%), managed between 1-20 patients, whilst 19 (8%) managed more
than 200 patients. The mean number of years since doctors had qualified was 22.02 (SD
10.58). Significantly more younger (recently qualified) doctors than older (qualified more
years) doctors treated HIV/AIDS patients (p<0.001). Most doctors (76.3%) expressed a need
for more training/knowledge on the management of HIV patients in areas such as overall
HIV care (59%), antiretroviral therapy (53%), side effect management (39%) and therapeutic
monitoring (35%); 194 (62.2%) doctors indicated their willingness to participate in a post
graduate diploma in HIV and AIDS management. These results suggest that increased
private sector doctor involvement in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients needs to be
facilitated. Addressing doctors’ training needs could contribute to achieving this.
Description
Keywords
HIV infections--Prevention and control--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area., AIDS (Disease)--Patients--Care--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area., HIV infections--Treatment--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area., HIV-postive persons--Patients--Care--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area., Physicians--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area.
Citation
Naidoo, P. Jinabhai, C.C. and M. Taylor. 2007. Role and contribution of private healthcare sector doctors in the management of HIV-infected patients in the eThekwini Metropolitan area of KwaZulu-Natal. Southern African Journal of Epidemiology and Infection 22 (1) pp. 13-17.