Population Council Research that makes a difference

After conducting an initial consultative workshop on pediatric HIV treatment in South Africa with expert practitioners and stakeholders, Population Council researchers visited antiretroviral (ARV) programs at 16 health facilities in five provinces. Together, the 16 sites were treating approximately 1,300 children on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Council researchers used qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, including observations of facilities, semi-structured questionnaires administered to various categories of health workers, and open-ended interviews with facility managers. In addition, a policy review was conducted.

Key findings include:

• There is currently no standardized training program on the management of pediatric HIV and AIDS available to medical personnel in South Africa, and most doctors report self-training and mentorship training in lieu of formal training.
• Nurses report fear of drawing blood from young children and complicated dosing for pediatric ARVs as barriers to expanding access to the lifesaving drugs to children.
• Referrals for the majority of children come from primary-level facilities and inpatient wards at hospitals. Linkages with prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs are weak.
  
  

Results and recommendations from the study have been disseminated to the study sites to guide them in strengthening their services. They also were shared with advocacy groups and government policymakers to inform their ongoing ARV rollout planning processes.