| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: There are inexpensive interventions incorporated into the HIV basic care package, which have proven to be effective in reducing morbidity among persons with and without HIV.
Objective: To assess the effect of the basic care package on morbidity among HIV persons seen at Mildmay Uganda in order to justify further distribution among HIV infected persons.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study involved secondary analysis of 148 case notes of persons who received the basic care package. A survey on same population assessed possession and utilization of the package. Out come was determined by difference in mean episodes of fever, malaria and diarrhoea related morbidity 12 months before and after receiving package and frequency among utilizers and non utilizers.
Findings: After receiving the package, there was no significant difference in mean episodes of fever, [-0.13, 95% CI =-0.12-0.38] and malaria, [-0.14, 95% CI =-0.17-0.46] related morbidity. Neither was the increase noted in diarrhoea related morbidities, [+0.53, 95% CI =-0.19-0.08] significant. Bed net utilization showed significant reduction in fever and malaria related morbidity,[ χ , p value = 14.96,0.001 and 18.78,0.0009] respectively.However,safe water vessel utilization showed no significant reduction in diarrhoea related morbidity, [χ, p value =1.41, 0.23]. A bed net was hanging over sleeping area in 82 percent, vessel containing water in 33 percent and water guard® bottle having been opened in 9 percent.
Conclusion: The basic care package had no significant effect on fever, malaria and diarrhoea related morbidities among HIV infected persons attending Mildmay Uganda.
Recommendation: A detailed prospective study involving urban and rural populations or a retrospective study among persons who remained ART naïve for one year after receiving the package would address this study question. An in depth survey to assess why the safe water system was poorly utilized would be important | en_US |
