Conway S, Connelly P, Wright J; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. WePeF6676.
IAPAC, Johannesburg, South Africa
ISSUE: The impact of a HIV training program on the number of patients being treated for HIV related Cryptococcal Menningitis and Oesophageal Candidiasis within public health facilities in the Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) Province of South Africa through the Diflucan Partnership Program (a treatment access program for fluconozole). DESCRIPTION: The Diflucan Partnership Program (DPP), a collaborative effort of the Pfizer Corporation, the South African National Department of Health and the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), offered "Best Practices" seminars to promote adherence to DoH guidelines and training for the proper diagnosis and treatment of HIV related Cryptococcal Menningitis and Oesophageal Candidiasis with Diflucan. Diflucan was made available for free beginning in May 2001 by Pfizer for patients reporting to South African public health facilities. Best Practices seminars began in October as part of the Kwazulu-Natal HIV/AIDS Training Program. Statistics were maintained by KZN Department of Health on the number of health care workers participating in the Best Practices Seminars and on how many patients were being treated with Diflucan in each district. LESSONS LEARNED: The number of patients treated with Diflucan in all districts of KZN increased with the introduction of training by 57% from September to October. The three prior month to month increases averaged 13%. In contrast, the Ulundi District of KZN was the only district that did not receive training in October and experienced a decline of 26% in patients treated from September to October. The October increase in patients treated was maintained with a 1% increase in November. RECOMMENDATIONS: Training promotes treatment access to drug access initiatives for HIV/AIDS and should be considered a vital component of all such care initiatives.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Fluconazole
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Health
- Health Personnel
- Humans
- Organizations
- Physicians
- Research
- South Africa
- education
- organization & administration
- therapy
Other ID:
UI: 102256409
From Meeting Abstracts