Open AccessAntiretroviral therapy outcomes among HIV infected clients in Gweru City, Zimbabwe 2006-2011: a cohort analysis
Author(s) -
Gerald Shambira,
Notion Tafara Gombe,
Casey D. Xavier Hall,
Meeyoung Mattie Park,
Joseph Asamoah Frimpong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the pan african medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.287
H-Index - 30
ISSN - 1937-8688
DOI - 10.11604/pamj.supp.2017.27.1.12562
Subject(s) - medicine , public health , epidemiology , government (linguistics) , family medicine , curriculum , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antiretroviral therapy , tracking (education) , medical education , nursing , gerontology , viral load , economic growth , pathology , pedagogy , psychology , linguistics , philosophy , economics
The government of Zimbabwe began providing antiretroviral therapy (ART) to People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) in public institutions in 2004. In Midlands province two clinics constituted the most active HIV care service points, with patients being followed up through a comprehensive patient monitoring and tracking system which captured specific patient variables and outcomes over time. The data from 2006 to 2011 were subjected to analysis to answer specific research questions and this case study is based on that analysis. The goal of this case study is to build participants' capacity to undertake secondary data analysis and interpretation using a dataset for HIV antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe and to draw conclusions which inform recommendations. Case studies in applied epidemiology allow students to practice applying epidemiologic skills in the classroom to address real-world public health problems. Case studies as a vital component of an applied epidemiology curriculum are instrumental in reinforcing principles and skills covered in lectures or in background reading. The target audience includes Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs), university students, district health executives, and health information officers.