AIDSQuest: The HIV/AIDS Survey Library
Survey Summaries

Horizons Program—Exploring Current Practices in Pediatric ARV Rollout and Integration with Early Childhood Programs in South Africa: A Rapid Situation Analysis

Overview
The instruments were used as data collection tools for a formative study that sought to explore current practices in pediatric ARV rollout and integration with early childhood programs in South Africa. The aim of the study was to identify successful program strategies in pediatric HIV treatment in South Africa and to determine priority knowledge gaps to be addressed by operations research. These efforts were accomplished through collaboration between the Horizons/Population Council and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

Methodology/validity
In the questionnaire administered to caregivers, topics explored included sociodemographics; socioeconomics; access to care; HIV infection among other family members; and diagnosis, referral, and treatment. A set of instruments was administered to 126 caregivers drawn from 16 health facilities, which were made up of tertiary hospitals, primary care clinics, and secondary hospitals. Patient support, access to ARV treatment and services, and infrastructure were major sections in the instrument. The respondents were varied; for the health providers, the instruments were administered to doctors, nurses, and counselors. Pharmacists and facility managers were also interviewed with separate questionnaires that are also available.

Researchers developed the instruments with individuals working at the programmatic level. Pre-testing was conducted at health facilities before the study was conducted. Instruments were administered through face-to-face interviews conducted by local researchers. The instruments were developed in English and translated into Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho.

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This page updated 21 August 2006

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