Using GPP to improve referral among HIV trial participants for treatment

[Bamidele]

In a low universal health coverage setting, how can we use GPP to improve the success of referral of HIV trial participants for HIV treatment. This is a challenge in my setting thast despite availability of free care, participants still don’t turn up blaming it on other priorities.

Topic

[Bernice]

‘Other Priorities’ in the setting of Nigeria as it concerns HIV has to do with stigma,belief( prefer herbal treatment) , and ignorance.
To improve referral among them using GPP, I suggest participants Education,counseling, building trust and transparency as vital.

[Bamidele]

Mark, Mahesh and Anthonia. thanks for your suggestions. In fact, we are presently translating our IEC materials into many local languages and using community health volunteers and members of PLWHA to administer them at our ARV clinics. Stigma is still a challenge but we are addressing it by buying in a strong family support and improving disclosure. Thanks

[Anthonia]

For me using GPP for referral should be done with caution bearing in mind the stigma attached to HIV and its treatment, in the GPP forum the importance of good health should be stressed so that the referred place their priorities right.

[Mahesh Ramrao]

To improve referral among HIV trial participants for treatment stakeholder’s research and electronic literacy will be important this will be improve by presentation, and messaging.

[Mark]

It sounds like using GPP principles could help in these ways:

Participant education materials, presentations, activities, and messaging based on valid community stakeholder engagement would improve understanding about the trial’s purpose and the importance of adherence.  As you say, in your situations seeking  to establish an understanding and appreciation of health seeking in general may be important too.

GPP also calls for early planning including contingency considerations which might be re-visited. If it is known that visit attendance is low, there are a number of avenues that could be pursued. “Other priorities” sounds a bit vague and so it may be important, with stakeholder guidance, to delve deeper into what this really represents. Could it be stigma? Fear of partners or family members finding out? Is it related to work and the use of the product? Is it a problem of nutrition, safety, hunger, or other needs that are priorities? Is transportation or anonymity a problem?

[Bamidele]

Often times, ARV treatment seem not be effective because patients don’t seem to come for a pick and a times electronic adherence is not was we get in real time. So we are currently planning to use GPP to improve their health seeking behavior against illnesses generally and train community volunteers as drug counsellors so that electronic adherence of > 90% can be achieves and thir rate is what will get in real time through viral load and CD4 count measures in another 6 months or so.

[Author]

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