Open AccessDemand for and cost-effectiveness of integrating RTI/HIV services with clinic-based family planning services in Zimbabwe
Author(s) -
Nick Baker,
Ian Maggwa,
P H Cornelius Askew,
Charles R. Council,
Sithokozille Marangwanda,
Hazel Simba,
Baker Maggwa,
Ian Ndugga,
Caroline Askew,
R. K. Dube,
B. T. Homan,
Ahmed Janowitz,
Peter Latif,
Ndugga Maggwa,
Ian Askew,
Population Council,
C Marangwanda,
S Simba,
Hazel Dube,
Rick Homan,
Barbara Janowitz,
Ahmed S. Latif,
Peter R. Mason
Publication year - 1999
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.31899/rh1999.1021
Subject(s) - family planning , reproductive health , developing country , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , service delivery framework , family medicine , service (business) , developed country , environmental health , economic growth , business , nursing , population , marketing , economics , research methodology
The current spread of HIV/AIDS poses a major threat to individual lives and national economies in many sub-Saharan African countries. The region also has some of the highest levels of other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in the world. Some of these RTIs increase the risk of sexual transmission of HIV infection. Thus, the control of RTIs is seen not only as an important reproductive health care strategy to alleviate symptoms of infection and long-term gynecological, obstetric, and neonatal complications, but also as a key strategy in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. As a result, all national health care programs in the region are actively seeking cost-effective ways of implementing an RTI management program that would reduce the spread of RTIs and ultimately HIV. Although there are many reasons to support an integrated approach to service delivery, many unanswered questions remain concerning its implementation, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness. In 1998, the Africa OR/TA II Project and the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) undertook a study to assist the ZNFPC in developing the most appropriate and cost-effective approach to managing RTIs in its clinics. Findings from the study are presented in this report.