Research Articles (Public Health)
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Browsing Research Articles (Public Health) by Subject "AIDS (Disease)--Patients--Care--KwaZulu-Natal--eThekwini Metropolitan Area."
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Item Role and contribution of private healthcare sector doctors in the management of HIV-infected patients in the eThekwini Metropolitan area of KwaZulu-Natal.(MedPharm, 2007) Naidoo, Panjasaram.; Jinabhai, Champaklal Chhaganlal.; Taylor, Myra.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.Item The willingness of private-sector doctors to manage public-sector HIV/AIDS patients in the eThekwini metropolitan region of KwaZulu-Natal.(AOSIS, 2009) Naidoo, Panjasaram.; Jinabhai, Champaklal Chhaganlal.; Taylor, Myra.Background: South Africa is severely affected by the AIDS pandemic and this has resulted in an already under-resourced public sector being placed under further stress, while there remains a vibrant private sector. To address some of the resource and personnel shortages facing the public sector in South Africa, partnerships between the public and private sectors are slowly being forged. However, little is known about the willingness of private-sector doctors in the eThekwini Metropolitan (Metro) region of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients. Objectives: To gauge the willingness of private-sector doctor to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients and to describe factors that may infuence their responses. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken among private-sector doctors, both general practitioners (GPs) and specialists, working in the eThekwini Metro, using an anonymous, structured questionnaire to investigate their willingness to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients and the factors associated with their responses. Chi-square and independent t-tests were used to evaluate associations. Odds ratios were determined using a binary logistic regression model. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Most of the doctors were male GPs aged 30–50 years who had been in practice for more than 10 years. Of these, 133 (77.8%) were willing to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients, with 105 (78.9%) reporting adequate knowledge, 99 (74.4%) adequate time, and 83 (62.4%) adequate infrastructure. Of the 38 (22.2%) that were unwilling to manage these patients, more than 80% cited a lack of time, knowledge and infrastructure to manage them. Another reason cited by five doctors (3.8%) who were unwilling, was the distance from public-sector facilities. Of the 33 specialist doctors, 14 (42.4%) indicated that they would not be willing to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients, compared with only 24 (17.4%) of the 138 GPs (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Many private-sector doctors are willing to manage public-sector HIV and AIDS patients in the eThekwini Metro, potentially removing some of the current burden on the public health sector.