ORCID Profile
0000-0003-0399-1711
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Deakin University
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Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 04-06-2020
Abstract: Background : In Ethiopia, stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV have reduced over time. This is mainly due to improved HIV knowledge and the expansion of access to HIV care and support services. However, HIV stigma and discrimination remain a key challenge and have negative impacts on access to and utilisation of HIV services including nutritional programs in the HIV care setting. A small number of studies have examined the experience of stigma related to nutritional programs, but this is limited. This study explored HIV status disclosure and experience of stigma related to a nutritional program in HIV care settings in Ethiopia and impacts on nutritional program utilisation. Methods: As part of a larger study, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adults living with HIV, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV and 13 program staff working in the nutritional program in three hospitals in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Framework thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data and NVivo 11 was used to analyse the qualitative interview data. This study is presented based on the consolidated criteria for reporting of qualitative research (COREQ). Results: The study found varying levels of positive HIV status disclosure, depending on who the target of disclosure was. Disclosing to family members was reported to be less problematic by most participants. Despite reported benefits of the nutritional program in terms of improving weight and overall health status, adults and caregivers of children living with HIV revealed experiences of stigma and discrimination that were lified by enrolment to the nutritional program and concerns about unwanted disclosure of positive HIV status. This was due to: a) transporting, consuming and disposing of the nutritional support (Plumpynut/sup) itself, which is associated with HIV in the broader community b) required increased frequency of visits to HIV services for those enrolled in the nutritional program and associated greater likelihood of being seen there. Conclusion: There was evidence of concerns about HIV-related stigma and discrimination among in iduals enrolled in this program and their family members, which in turn negatively affected the utilisation of the nutritional program and the HIV service more broadly. Stigma and discrimination are a source of health inequity and undermine access to the nutritional program and other HIV services. Nutritional programs in HIV care should include strategies to take these concerns into account by mainstreaming stigma prevention and mitigation activities. Further research should be done to identify innovative ways of facilitating social inclusion to mitigate stigma and improve utilisation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2014
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 03-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 28-07-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S41043-021-00256-9
Abstract: In many resource-poor settings, nutritional counselling is one of the key components of nutrition support programmes aiming to improve nutritional and health outcomes amongst people living with HIV. Counselling methods, contents and recommendations that are culturally appropriate, locally tailored and economically affordable are essential to ensure desired health and nutritional outcomes are achieved. However, there is little evidence showing the effectiveness of counselling in nutritional programmes in HIV care, and the extent to which counselling policies and guidelines are translated into practice and utilised by people with HIV suffering from undernutrition. This study aimed to explore these gaps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. A qualitative study was conducted in Tigray region Ethiopia between May and August 2016. Forty-eight in idual interviews were conducted with 20 undernourished adults living with HIV and 15 caregivers of children living with HIV enrolled in a nutritional programme in three hospitals, as well as 11 health providers, and 2 programme managers. Data analysis was undertaken using the Framework approach and guided by the socio-ecological model. Qualitative data analysis software (QSR NVivo 11) was used to assist data analysis. The study findings are presented using the consolidated criteria for the reporting of qualitative research (COREQ). The study highlighted that nutritional counselling as a key element of the nutritional programme in HIV care varied in scope, content, and length. Whilst the findings clearly demonstrated the acceptability of the nutritional counselling for participants, a range of challenges hindered the application of counselling recommendations in participants’ everyday lives. Identified challenges included the lack of comprehensiveness of the counselling in terms of providing advice about the nutritional support and dietary practice, participants’ poor understanding of multiple issues related to nutrition counselling and the nutrition programme, lack of consistency in the content, duration and mode of delivery of nutritional counselling, inadequate refresher training for providers and the absence of socioeconomic considerations in nutritional programme planning and implementation. Evidence from this study suggests that counselling in nutritional programmes in HIV care was not adequately structured and lacked a holistic and comprehensive approach. Nutritional counselling provided to people living with HIV lacks comprehensiveness, consistency and varies in scope, content and duration. To achieve programme goal of improved nutritional status, counselling guidelines and practices should be structured in a way that takes a holistic view of patient’s life and considers cultural and socioeconomic situations. Additionally, capacity development of nutritional counsellors and health providers is highly recommended to ensure counselling provides assistance to improve the nutritional well-being of people living with HIV.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 30-04-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044606
Abstract: COVID-19 has caused a global public health crisis affecting most countries, including Ethiopia, in various ways. This study maps the vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death from COVID-19 in Ethiopia. Thirty-eight potential indicators of vulnerability to COVID-19 infection, case severity and likelihood of death, identified based on a literature review and the availability of nationally representative data at a low geographic scale, were assembled from multiple sources for geospatial analysis. Geospatial analysis techniques were applied to produce maps showing the vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death in Ethiopia at a spatial resolution of 1 km×1 km. This study showed that vulnerability to COVID-19 infection is likely to be high across most parts of Ethiopia, particularly in the Somali, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Tigray regions. The number of severe cases of COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalisation and intensive care unit admission is likely to be high across Amhara, most parts of Oromia and some parts of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region. The risk of COVID-19-related death is high in the country’s border regions, where public health preparedness for responding to COVID-19 is limited. This study revealed geographical differences in vulnerability to infection, case severity and likelihood of death from COVID-19 in Ethiopia. The study offers maps that can guide the targeted interventions necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Ethiopia.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 25-04-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 04-09-2020
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-64812/V1
Abstract: Background : In many resource-poor settings, nutritional counselling is one component of nutrition support programs aiming to improve nutritional and health outcomes amongst people living with HIV. Counselling methods, contents, and recommendations that are culturally appropriate, locally tailored, and economically affordable are essential to ensure desired health and nutritional outcomes are achieved. However, there is little evidence showing the effectiveness of counselling in nutritional programs in HIV care, and the extent to which counselling policies and guidelines are translated into practice and utilised by people with HIV suffering from undernutrition. This study aimed to explore these gaps in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Methods and participants : A qualitative study was conducted in Tigray Region Ethiopia between May and August 2016. Forty-eight in idual interviews were conducted with 20 undernourished adults living with HIV and 15 caregivers of children living with HIV enrolled in a nutritional program in three hospitals, as well as 11 health providers, and 2 program managers. Data analysis was undertaken using the Framework approach and guided by the socio-ecological model. Qualitative data analysis software (QSR NVivo 11) was used to assist data analysis. The study findings are presented using the consolidated criteria for the reporting of qualitative research (COREQ). Result : The study highlighted that nutritional counselling as a key element of the nutritional program in HIV care varied in scope, content, and length. While the findings clearly demonstrated the acceptability of the nutritional counselling for participants, a range of challenges hindered the application of counselling recommendations in participants’ everyday lives. Identified challenges included the lack of comprehensiveness of the counselling in terms of providing advice about the nutritional support and dietary practice, participants’ poor understanding of multiple issues related to nutrition counselling and the nutrition program, lack of consistency in the content, duration and mode of delivery of nutritional counselling, inadequate refresher training for providers, and the absence of socioeconomic considerations in nutritional program planning and implementation. Evidence from this study suggests that counselling in nutritional programs in HIV care was not adequately structured and lacked a holistic and comprehensive approach. Conclusion : Nutritional counselling provided to people living with HIV lacks comprehensiveness, consistency, and varies in scope, content, and duration. To achieve program goal of improved nutritional status, counselling guidelines and practices should be structured in a way that takes a holistic view of patient’s life and considers cultural and socioeconomic situations. Additionally, capacity development of nutritional counsellors and health providers is highly recommended to ensure counselling provides assistance to improve the nutritional wellbeing of people living with HIV.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 30-01-2020
Abstract: Introduction Food insecurity is one of the major contributors to poor attainment of nutritional recovery among people living with HIV who are enrolled in nutritional programs. Food insecurity also significantly contributes to high rates of relapse after nutritional recovery among the beneficiaries nutritional programs. Nevertheless, nutritional programs in HIV care settings implemented in many countries are not designed to address food insecurity. This study examined a nutritional program delivered in HIV care settings in the Tigray region, Ethiopia. It explored the factors that contributed to relapse of undernutrition, and in particular how food insecurity had an impact on effectiveness of the nutritional program, specifically relapse of undernutrition after nutritional recovery. Methodology This study employed mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative part, hospital records were collected of 1757 adults and 236 children people living with HIV who were enrolled in the nutritional program. Logistic and cox-regression analysis were used to examine the frequency and determinants of relapse of undernutrition. In the qualitative study, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 20 adults, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV, and 13 health providers and program managers. Thematic framework analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results Among those who graduated from the nutritional program, 18% of adults and 7% of children relapsed to undernutrition. The mean time to relapse for adults was 68.5 months (95% CI, 67.0–69.9). It was not possible to calculate the average time to relapse in children because of the small s le size. Lower educational status (primary and secondary), no membership of a community HIV support group, ambulatory and bedridden functional status, longer periods on ART (more than 24 months), presence of an opportunistic infection and poor baseline nutritional status were associated with relapse of undernutrition. Furthermore, those from rural areas, who did not attend formal education, were employed, and had bedridden functional status, anemia and worst nutritional status were likely to have more frequent episodes of relapse than their counterparts. Findings of the qualitative study also highlighted that poverty, poor livelihood, and food insecurity were the fundamental challenges to the effectiveness of nutritional programs in HIV care. Household food insecurity contributed to the selling and sharing of the nutritional supports and negatively impacted the program effectiveness, delaying nutritional recovery and contributing to relapse of undernutrition. Conclusion and recommendation Unless nutritional programs take into consideration the underlying determinants of food insecurity in the design, implementation, and funding of nutritional programs in HIV care, the success of the nutritional programs like those implemented in Ethiopia will be undermined and the vicious cycle of undernutrition amongst people living with HIV will continue.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 16-01-2021
Abstract: The relapse into undernutrition after nutritional recovery among those enrolled in a nutritional program is a common challenge of nutritional programs in HIV care settings, but there is little evidence on the determinants of the relapse. Nutritional programs in HIV care settings in many countries are not well designed to sustain the gains obtained from enrolment in a nutritional program. This study examined relapse into undernutrition and associated factors among people living with HIV in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, involving quantitative and qualitative studies. Among those who graduated from the nutritional program, 18% of adults and 7% of children relapsed into undernutrition. The mean time to relapse for adults was 68.5 months (95% CI, 67.0–69.9). Various sociodemographic, clinical, and nutritional characteristics were associated with a relapse into undernutrition. A considerable proportion of adults and children relapsed after nutritional recovery. Food insecurity and poor socioeconomic status were a common experience among those enrolled in the nutritional program. Hence, nutritional programs should design strategies to sustain the nutritional gains of those enrolled in the nutritional programs and address the food insecurity which was reported as one of the contributors to relapse into undernutrition among the program participants.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 04-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-01-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12916-020-01876-4
Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a public health priority in Latin America. While the burden of HIV is historically concentrated in urban areas and high-risk groups, subnational estimates that cover multiple countries and years are missing. This paucity is partially due to incomplete vital registration (VR) systems and statistical challenges related to estimating mortality rates in areas with low numbers of HIV deaths. In this analysis, we address this gap and provide novel estimates of the HIV mortality rate and the number of HIV deaths by age group, sex, and municipality in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. We performed an ecological study using VR data ranging from 2000 to 2017, dependent on in idual country data availability. We modeled HIV mortality using a Bayesian spatially explicit mixed-effects regression model that incorporates prior information on VR completeness. We calibrated our results to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. All countries displayed over a 40-fold difference in HIV mortality between municipalities with the highest and lowest age-standardized HIV mortality rate in the last year of study for men, and over a 20-fold difference for women. Despite decreases in national HIV mortality in all countries—apart from Ecuador—across the period of study, we found broad variation in relative changes in HIV mortality at the municipality level and increasing relative inequality over time in all countries. In all six countries included in this analysis, 50% or more HIV deaths were concentrated in fewer than 10% of municipalities in the latest year of study. In addition, national age patterns reflected shifts in mortality to older age groups—the median age group among decedents ranged from 30 to 45 years of age at the municipality level in Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico in 2017. Our subnational estimates of HIV mortality revealed significant spatial variation and erging local trends in HIV mortality over time and by age. This analysis provides a framework for incorporating data and uncertainty from incomplete VR systems and can help guide more geographically precise public health intervention to support HIV-related care and reduce HIV-related deaths.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-06-2020
DOI: 10.1186/S12889-020-09040-6
Abstract: In Ethiopia, stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV have reduced over time. This is mainly due to improved HIV knowledge and the expansion of access to HIV care and support services. However, HIV stigma and discrimination remain a key challenge and have negative impacts on access to and utilisation of HIV services including nutritional programs in the HIV care setting. A small number of studies have examined the experience of stigma related to nutritional programs, but this is limited. This study explored HIV status disclosure and experience of stigma related to a nutritional program in HIV care settings in Ethiopia and impacts on nutritional program utilisation. As part of a larger study, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adults living with HIV, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV and 13 program staff working in the nutritional program in three hospitals in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Framework thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data and NVivo 11 was used to analyse the qualitative interview data. This study is presented based on the consolidated criteria for reporting of qualitative research (COREQ). The study found varying levels of positive HIV status disclosure, depending on who the target of disclosure was. Disclosing to family members was reported to be less problematic by most participants. Despite reported benefits of the nutritional program in terms of improving weight and overall health status, adults and caregivers of children living with HIV revealed experiences of stigma and discrimination that were lified by enrolment to the nutritional program and concerns about unwanted disclosure of positive HIV status. This was due to: a) transporting, consuming and disposing of the nutritional support (Plumpynut/sup) itself, which is associated with HIV in the broader community b) required increased frequency of visits to HIV services for those enrolled in the nutritional program and associated greater likelihood of being seen there. There was evidence of concerns about HIV-related stigma and discrimination among in iduals enrolled in this program and their family members, which in turn negatively affected the utilisation of the nutritional program and the HIV service more broadly. Stigma and discrimination are a source of health inequity and undermine access to the nutritional program and other HIV services. Nutritional programs in HIV care should include strategies to take these concerns into account by mainstreaming stigma prevention and mitigation activities. Further research should be done to identify innovative ways of facilitating social inclusion to mitigate stigma and improve utilisation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-09-2014
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-047205
Abstract: Although some studies have identified various challenges affecting nutritional programmes to effectively tackle undernutrition among people living with HIV, evidence about the characteristics and impacts of these programmes on weight-related nutritional outcomes varies based on country contexts, specific programme goals and the implementation processes. This systematic review sought to synthesise evidence on the characteristics and impact of nutritional programmes on weight-related nutritional outcomes of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Systematic review. We searched for primary studies published in the following databases: Web of Science, Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest and Google Scholar, supplemented by checking reference lists of included papers. Studies published from 2005 to 10 July 2020 and reporting on the weight-related nutritional outcomes of undernourished people enrolled in nutritional programmes in HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa were included. Data were extracted using a data extraction proforma. Weight-related nutritional outcomes of people living with HIV before and after enrolment in a nutritional programme were compared and narratively synthesised. Sixteen studies assessing the impact of nutritional programmes in HIV care on weight-related nutritional outcomes were included. Of these, 13 examined nutritional programmes implemented in health facilities and the remaining three were delivered outside of health facilities. Nutritional recovery (defined differently in the studies) ranged from 13.1% to 67.9%. Overall programme failure rate, which included default after enrolment in a nutritional programme or non-response, ranged from 37.6% to 48.0%. More specifically, non-response to a nutritional programme ranged from 21.0% to 67.4% and default from the programme ranged from 19.0% to 70.6%. Key sociodemographic, clinical and nutritional characteristics that affect nutritional recovery, non-response and default were also identified. Nutritional programmes in HIV care have led to some improvements in weight-related nutritional outcomes among people living with HIV. However, the programmes were characterised by a high magnitude of default and non-response. To improve desired weight-related nutritional outcomes of people living with HIV, a holistic approach that addresses longer-term determinants of undernutrition is needed. CRD42020196827.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 11-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJGH-2021-007328
Abstract: The war in Tigray region of Ethiopia that started in November 2020 and is still ongoing has brought enormous damage to the health system. This analysis provides an assessment of the health system before and during the war. Evidence of damage was compiled from November 2020 to June 2021 from various reports by the interim government of Tigray, and also by international non-governmental organisations. Comparison was made with data from the prewar calendar year. Six months into the war, only 27.5% of hospitals, 17.5% of health centres, 11% of ambulances and none of the 712 health posts were functional. As of June 2021, the population in need of emergency food assistance in Tigray increased from less than one million to over 5.2 million. While the prewar performance of antenatal care, supervised delivery, postnatal care and children vaccination was 94%, 73%, 63% and 73%, respectively, but none of the services were likely to be delivered in the first 90 days of the war. These data indicate a widespread destruction of livelihoods and a collapse of the healthcare system. The widespread use of hunger and rape during the brutal war and the targeting of healthcare facilities seem to be key components of the war. To avert worsening conditions, an immediate intervention is needed to deliver food and supplies and rehabilitate the healthcare delivery system and infrastructure.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 27-04-2020
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 02-03-2020
DOI: 10.21203/RS.3.RS-15550/V1
Abstract: Background Food insecurity is one of the major contributors to poor attainment of nutritional recovery among people living with HIV who are enrolled in nutritional programs. Nevertheless, nutritional programs in HIV care settings implemented in many countries are not designed to address food insecurity. This study in Tigray region Ethiopia examined relapse of undernutrition, and in particular how food insecurity had an impact on effectiveness of the nutritional program, specifically relapse of undernutrition after nutritional recovery Methods This study employed mixed-methods approach involving quantitative and qualitative methods. In the quantitative part, hospital records were collected of 1757 adults and 236 children living with HIV who were enrolled in the nutritional program. Logistic and cox-regression analysis were used to analyse the data. In the qualitative study, data was collected through in-depth interviews with 20 adults, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV, and 13 health providers and program managers. Thematic framework analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. Results Among those who graduated from the nutritional program, 18% of adults and 7% of children relapsed. Lower educational status (primary and secondary), no membership of a community HIV support group, ambulatory and bedridden functional status, longer periods on ART (more than 24 months), presence of an opportunistic infection and poor baseline nutritional status were associated with relapse. Furthermore, those from rural areas, who did not attend formal education, were employed and had bedridden functional status, anaemia and worst nutritional status were likely to have more frequent episodes of relapse than their counterparts. Findings of the qualitative study also highlighted that poverty, poor livelihood, and food insecurity were the fundamental challenges to the effectiveness of nutritional programs in HIV care including relapse. Household food insecurity contributed to the selling and sharing of the nutritional supports and negatively impacted program effectiveness by contributing to relapse of undernutrition. Conclusions Unless nutritional programs take into consideration the underlying determinants of food insecurity in the design, implementation, and funding of nutritional programs in HIV care, the success of the nutritional programs like those implemented in Ethiopia will be undermined.
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 12-2019
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 02-2021
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2020-044618
Abstract: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evidence on risk factors for transmission, disease severity and COVID-19 related deaths in Africa. A systematic review has been conducted to synthesise existing evidence on risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes across Africa. Data were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, MedRxiv and BioRxiv. Studies for review were included if they were published in English and reported at least one risk factor and/or one health outcome. We included all relevant literature published up until 11 August 2020. We performed a systematic narrative synthesis to describe the available studies for each outcome. Data were extracted using a standardised Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction form. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria of which four were exclusively on Africa and the remaining 11 papers had a global focus with some data from Africa. Higher rates of infection in Africa are associated with high population density, urbanisation, transport connectivity, high volume of tourism and international trade, and high level of economic and political openness. Limited or poor access to healthcare are also associated with higher COVID-19 infection rates. Older people and in iduals with chronic conditions such as HIV, tuberculosis and anaemia experience severe forms COVID-19 leading to hospitalisation and death. Similarly, high burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high prevalence of tobacco consumption and low levels of expenditure on health and low levels of global health security score contribute to COVID-19 related deaths. Demographic, institutional, ecological, health system and politico-economic factors influenced the spectrum of COVID-19 infection, severity and death. We recommend multidisciplinary and integrated approaches to mitigate the identified factors and strengthen effective prevention strategies.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 05-02-2020
Abstract: Background: In Ethiopia, stigmatising attitudes towards people living with HIV have reduced over time due to improved HIV knowledge and the expansion of services. However, HIV stigma and discrimination remain a key challenge and have negative impacts on access to and utilisation of HIV services including nutritional programs. A small number of studies have examined the experience of stigma related to nutritional programs, but this is limited. This study explored HIV status disclosure and experience of stigma related to a nutritional program in HIV care settings in Ethiopia and impacts on nutritional program utilisation. Methods: As part of a larger study, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adults living with HIV, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV and 13 program staff working in the nutritional program in three hospitals in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Framework thematic analysis using NVivo was employed to analyse the data. Results: The study found varying levels of positive HIV status disclosure, depending on who the target of disclosure was. Disclosing to family members was reported to be less problematic by most participants. Despite reported benefits of the nutritional program in terms of improving weight and overall health status, adults and caregivers of children living with HIV revealed experiences of stigma and discrimination that were lified by enrolment to the nutritional program. This was due to: a) transporting, consuming and disposing of the nutritional support itself, which is associated with HIV in the broader community b) required increased frequency of visits to HIV services for those enrolled in the nutritional program and associated. Conclusion: There was evidence of concerns about HIV-related stigma and discrimination among in iduals enrolled in this program and their family members, which in turn negatively affected the utilisation of the nutritional program. Stigma and discrimination are a source of health inequity and undermine access to the nutritional program. Nutritional programs in HIV care should include strategies to take these concerns into account by mainstreaming stigma prevention and mitigation activities. Further research should be done to identify innovative ways of facilitating social inclusion to mitigate stigma and improve utilisation.
Publisher: Research Square Platform LLC
Date: 22-11-2019
Abstract: Background In Ethiopia, stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV have reduced over time. This is mainly due to improved HIV knowledge and the expansion of access to HIV care and support services. However, HIV stigma and discrimination remain a key challenge, and have negative impacts on access to and utilisation of HIV services including nutritional programs. A small number of studies have examined the experience of stigma related to nutritional programs provided to people living with HIV, but this is limited. This study explored HIV status disclosure and experience of stigma among people living with HIV enrolled in a nutritional program in HIV care setting in Ethiopia and impacts on program utilisation.Methods and participants As part of a larger study, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 adults living with HIV, 15 caregivers of children living with HIV and 13 program staff in the nutritional program in three hospitals in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia. Framework analysis was employed to analyse the data and NVivo 11 was used to assist data analysis.Results The study found varying levels of positive HIV status disclosure, depending on who the target of disclosure was. Disclosing to family members was reported to be less problematic by most participants. Despite reported benefits of the nutritional in terms of improving their weight and overall health status, adults and caregivers of children living with HIV revealed experience of stigma and discrimination and fear of discovery of positive HIV status due to: a) nutritional support (Plumpynut/sup) to HIV by the community b) increased frequency of visits to HIV services.Conclusion There is evidence that enrolment in the nutritional program is associated with increased concern about stigma and discrimination, which in turn negatively affected the utilisation of the nutritional program and HIV service more broadly. Nutritional programs in HIV care should include strategies which take these concerns into account by mainstreaming stigma prevention and mitigation activities. Further research should be done to identify innovative ways of social inclusion to mitigate stigma and improve utilisation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
No related grants have been discovered for Fisaha Haile Tesfay (PhD).