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Abstract
A successful Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) outreach programme for increasing voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), HIV care and treatment in a Kampala (Uganda) surburb
Musiime V.1, SSali F.2, Kizito H.1, Bukuru A.1, Kizito E.3, Kityo C.2, Mugyenyi P.2
Objectives: To enable the children and their care takers in Namugongo village to access HIV counseling and testing within one year, as well as ongoing HIV care and treatment.
Methods: JCRC set up a mobile outreach team comprising of a doctor, a nurse and a driver who visit the premises of Namugongo Fund for Special Children (NFSC), in Namugongo village near Kampala, every two weeks.
The team from JCRC together with the staff of NFSC carries out such activities as HIV counseling and testing, clinical evaluation, provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and drugs for opportunistic infections. Outside these HIV clinic days, NFSC provides preschool breakfast for the children, treatment for incidental illnesses and an after school programme that includes psychosocial support, music dance and drama, and sports.
Results: In the 6yrs of existence of NFSC, before the start of the JCRC clinic visits, of the 800 registered children and 520 caretakers, the HIV status of only 5children and none of the caretakers was known. From May to November 2006, 549 children and 304 caretakers were tested for HIV and over 95% have received their results. Of these, 24 children (5%) and 72 caretakers (24%) are HIV infected and are in ongoing care at the clinic. Twenty two (7 children and 15 adults) of these (23%) are on antiretroviral therapy, including four (3children and 1 adult) who have transferred from other HIV care programmes because of easier accessibility. The success of this project has led NFSC to expand and extend the services, using the developed model, to other underserved areas.
Conclusions: JCRC has demonstrated an effective model for rapid expansion of VCT and access to HIV care and treatment, to hard to reach and underserved areas.
Partnering with other providers including community based organizations, is a cost effective and sustainable approach for AIDS care and Treatment.
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract no.
CDB542
Suggested Citation
"MusiimeV., et al.
A successful Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) outreach programme for increasing voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), HIV care and treatment in a Kampala (Uganda) surburb.
:
4th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention:
Abstract no.
CDB542"
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