1. Evaluation of the Zimbabwe HIV case surveillance pilot project, 2019
- Author
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Ngwarai Sithole, Brian Komtenza, Owen Mugurungi, Alex Gasasira, Brian Moyo, Anesu Chimwaza, Simbarashe Mabaya, David Lowrance, Regis Choto, Leon Mbano, Thandekile Ntombikayise Moyo, Takura Matare, Tsitsi Apollo, Daniel Low-Beer, Peter Nsubuga, and Kudakwashe C. Takarinda
- Subjects
Zimbabwe ,medicine.medical_specialty ,patient monitoring ,Developing country ,Context (language use) ,HIV Infections ,Pilot Projects ,Computer-assisted web interviewing ,Health informatics ,Health facility ,Environmental health ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Global health ,HIV, case surveillance, informatics, electronic health records, continuum of care, patient monitoring ,Medicine ,informatics ,Humans ,Public Health Surveillance ,business.industry ,Public health ,HIV ,General Medicine ,Viral Load ,continuum of care ,Test (assessment) ,electronic health records ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,case surveillance ,Workshop Report ,business - Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Zimbabwe has a high burden of HIV (i.e., estimated 1.3 million HIV-infected and 13.8% HIV incidence in 2017). In 2017 the country developed and implemented a pilot of HIV case surveillance (CS) based on the 2017 World Health Organisation (WHO) person-centred HIV patient monitoring (PM) and case surveillance guidelines. At the end of the pilot phase an evaluation was conducted to inform further steps. METHODS: The pilot was conducted in two districts (i.e., Umzingwane in Matabeleland South Province and Mutare in Manicaland Province) from August 2017 to December 2018. A mixed-methods cross-sectional study of stakeholders and health facility staff was used to assess the design and operations, performance, usefulness, sustainability, and scalability of the CS system. A total of 13 stakeholders responded to an online questionnaire, while 33 health facility respondents were interviewed in 11 health facilities in the two districts. RESULTS: The HIV CS system was adequately designed for Zimbabwe´s context, integrated within existing health information systems at the facility level. However, the training was minimal, and an opportunity to train the data entry clerks in data analysis was missed. The system performed well in terms of surveillance and informatics attributes. However, viral load test results return was a significant problem. CONCLUSION: The HIV CS system was found useful at the health facility level and should be rolled out in a phased manner, beginning in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces. An electronic link needs to be made between the health facilities and the laboratory to reduce viral load test results delays.
- Published
- 2020