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Abstract
Addressing the challenges of HIV cohort study follow-up in Kericho, Kenya
B. Rono1, S. Kiplangat2, R. Kimutai2, D. Shaffer2, M. Robb3, D. Birx3
Background:
With high prevalence of HIV in Kenya, research is necessary in order to counter the monstrous effect of the pandemic. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of HIV
Methods: Baseline data on the participants’ demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle-related risk factors, physical examination, HIV testing and other laboratory values were obtained in June 2003 with the use of a standard protocol and volunteers are followed up every six moths for six rounds
Results: 2801 volunteers were enrolled. The prevalence of HIV was 14.5% and incidence of 2%. 1800 participants returned for follow up in the first follow- up representing 60.8%, 2164 in round 2nd follow up representing 77.1% and 2153 in 3rd round representing 76.4%. The reason for loss of follow up include poor understanding of cohort studies by volunteers, mistaking the cohort for voluntary counseling and testing, mistaking cohort study for care giving project, stigma, poor compensation for the day lost by participating in the study, loss of employment and contracts, poor arrangement for transporting volunteers who changed employment or lost employment and are living far from the project. In trying to solve these challenges, we started focused volunteer meetings, educated volunteers on the difference of HIV cohort study, and Voluntary Counseling and Testing and HIV care, compensation on site rather than through the company, transport arrangement, staffs were trained and encouraged to do more trainings on their own, demystified stigma and formation of site team. These efforts increased the number of volunteers returning for follow-up.
Conclusions: Cohort studies in a community where HIV research had never been done before can be very challenging but adequate preparation to deal with these challenges can reduce the number of participants being lost to follow-up.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
CDC0418
Suggested Citation
"B.Rono, et al.
Addressing the challenges of HIV cohort study follow-up in Kericho, Kenya.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
CDC0418"
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