Alphonse Okwera1, David K Mafigiri2, David Guwatudde3, Christopher Whalen4, Moses Joloba5. 1. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala. 2. Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University Kampala. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, USA. 5. Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University Kampala.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Co-trimoxazole use is the standard of care for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa but implementation remains slow. Co-trimoxazole is self- administered with uncertain adherence. Knowledge of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected persons is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected adults evaluated for recurrent PTB in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: A qualitative study utilizing 5 focus group discussions among 30 HIV infected PTB suspects at the national referral tuberculosis treatment centre in Kampala. RESULTS: Males and females had similar median ages. 80% were currently on co-trimoxazole and 50% of participants were on HAART. Majority of participants defined co-trimoxazole as an analgesic. Few noted co-trimoxazole was a drug to treat cough and chest pain. However, few responses revealed that co-trimoxazole prevents opportunistic diseases among PLHIV. Most of participants believed HAART and anti-TB drugs work as co-trimoxazole thus it should not be taken together with them. This belief may lead to increased risk of opportunistic infections, morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We revealed gaps in understanding of co-trimoxazole use among study participants. We therefore recommend that more facts about co-trimoxazle as prophylaxis against P. jirovecii, bacterial and diarrheal pathogens should be incorporated in VCT fact sheets.
BACKGROUND:Co-trimoxazole use is the standard of care for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa but implementation remains slow. Co-trimoxazole is self- administered with uncertain adherence. Knowledge of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infectedpersons is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected adults evaluated for recurrent PTB in Kampala, Uganda. METHODS: A qualitative study utilizing 5 focus group discussions among 30 HIV infectedPTB suspects at the national referral tuberculosis treatment centre in Kampala. RESULTS: Males and females had similar median ages. 80% were currently on co-trimoxazole and 50% of participants were on HAART. Majority of participants defined co-trimoxazole as an analgesic. Few noted co-trimoxazole was a drug to treat cough and chest pain. However, few responses revealed that co-trimoxazole prevents opportunistic diseases among PLHIV. Most of participants believed HAART and anti-TB drugs work as co-trimoxazole thus it should not be taken together with them. This belief may lead to increased risk of opportunistic infections, morbidity and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We revealed gaps in understanding of co-trimoxazole use among study participants. We therefore recommend that more facts about co-trimoxazle as prophylaxis against P. jirovecii, bacterial and diarrheal pathogens should be incorporated in VCT fact sheets.
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