Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, Pretoria.
Curationis. 2024 Aug 22;47(2):e1-e13. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v47i2.2608.
BACKGROUND: Low viral load suppression rates among older adolescents and young adults with HIV are a global challenge, including in Namibia. Healthcare providers struggle with managing these age groups due to their unique demographic characteristics. Monitoring viral load suppression is vital for evaluating antiretroviral treatment effectiveness, making it essential to identify and address existing gaps. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore and describe healthcare practitioners' understanding and experiences in managing older adolescents and younger adults living with HIV in seven high-burden districts of Namibia. METHOD: Qualitative descriptive phenomenological research was followed in this study. Healthcare practitioners directly managing older adolescents and younger adults living with HIV were purposively recruited. Telephonic individual interviews were conducted, and data saturation was achieved with the 29th participant. Colaizzi's seven-step analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Two themes emerged from the study: (1) healthcare practitioners' knowledge of viral load management and (2) the strategies employed to manage high viral load in these age groups. These strategies included implementing differentiated service delivery, adopting interprofessional and Ubuntu approaches, psychosocial support, community engagement, enhancing adherence counselling, and support from implementing partners. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed inadequate knowledge among healthcare practitioners regarding viral load management, which negatively impacts the provision of quality care and an effective HIV response within the spirit of Ubuntu.Contribution: This study enhances healthcare practitioners' capacity in viral load management and guides policy makers in supporting this unique population, thus improving their health outcomes.
背景:在包括纳米比亚在内的全球范围内,HIV 感染的大龄青少年和青年人群体的病毒载量抑制率较低,这是一个全球性挑战。医护人员在管理这些年龄组时面临困难,因为他们具有独特的人口统计学特征。监测病毒载量抑制情况对于评估抗逆转录病毒治疗的效果至关重要,因此必须确定并解决现有的差距。
目的:本研究旨在探讨和描述纳米比亚七个高负担地区的医护人员在管理 HIV 感染的大龄青少年和青年人群体方面的理解和经验。
方法:本研究采用定性描述现象学研究方法。通过目的性抽样,招募直接管理 HIV 感染的大龄青少年和青年人群体的医护人员。进行了电话个人访谈,在第 29 名参与者时达到了数据饱和。使用科拉兹的七步分析法对数据进行分析。
结果:研究中出现了两个主题:(1)医护人员对病毒载量管理的知识;(2)管理这些年龄组高病毒载量的策略。这些策略包括实施差异化服务提供、采用多学科和乌班图方法、提供心理社会支持、社区参与、加强依从性咨询以及实施伙伴的支持。
结论:研究结果显示,医护人员对病毒载量管理的知识不足,这对提供优质护理和在乌班图精神下有效应对 HIV 产生负面影响。贡献:本研究增强了医护人员在病毒载量管理方面的能力,并为政策制定者支持这一独特人群提供了指导,从而改善他们的健康结果。
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