|
Jane Harries, Smruti Patel, Nazira Cassim,
Barbara
Friedland, Thesla Palanee, Neetha S. Morar, and Khatija
Ahmed. "An evaluation of care and support of women
who test HIV-positive during the Phase 3 microbicide Carraguard®
trial in South Africa." (Poster no. A232)
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives
Eligibility for participation in a Phase 3 trial of the candidate
microbicide Carraguard™ required women to be HIV-negative at their
screening visit. Women may learn for the first time at screening or post-enrollment of their HIV-positive status. Following counseling at the
research sites women are referred to health care facilities and nongovernmental organizations in the community for treatment, care, and support.
This research aims to assess whether the care and support services provided
are meeting the needs of women recently diagnosed with HIV.
Methods
Qualitative research using in-depth interviews was conducted at three
microbicide research sites, Gugulethu (University of Cape Town), Soshanguve
(University of Limpopo/Medunsa campus), and Isipingo (Medical Research
Council, Durban). At each site, 20 in-depth interviews were conducted with
women recently diagnosed with HIV. Analysis was conducted using a grounded
theory approach. A provider survey was also conducted with staff at a sample
of the referral centers.
Results
Although the Phase 3 trial team established a network of referral
services, preliminary results suggest that women did not access a broad
range of services. Issues around quality of care centered around long
waiting periods, lack of continuity of care, staff attitudes and concerns
around confidentiality, and stigma associated with being HIV-positive.
Further results are pending.
Conclusions
The findings will help researchers to better understand the needs of
women who test positive for HIV, and to modify referral procedures and
counseling guidelines in future trials of microbicides and other HIV
prevention technologies.
3rd South African AIDS Conference Web site
|
