Health Care : Current Reviews

Investigation of health and care-seeking behaviors among HIV-infected adults in Mozambique

6^th Global Healthcare, Nutritionists & Dietician Annual Conference

December 05-07, 2016 Philadelphia, USA

Amilcar Magaco, Carlos Botao, Granelio Tamele and Francisco Mbofana

National Institute of Health, Mozambique
National Directorate of Public Health, Mozambique

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Health Care: Current Reviews

Abstract:

Mozambiqueâ??s Ministry of health pledged to eliminate vertical transmission, reduce sexual transmission by 50%, increase antiretroviral therapy coverage by 80% and reduce tuberculosis mortality by 50% by the year 2015. In order to achieve these goals, all HIV-infected persons must access HIV care and treatment services in a timely manner and engage in continuous, quality HIV services. This study aimed to explore the reasons why patients with positive diagnosis, regardless of the disease stage or not adhere to services and care of HIV. This exploratory qualitative study was conducted based on in-depth interviews conducted in Maputo city and Zambezia province. Patients were selected from three health units. For many of the participants, the treatment-seeking behavior after receiving the positive HIV result and the desire to take care of health from the revelation of the results have varied effects on the health status of the patient at the time of testing, the basic knowledge about HIV and about the notions of health and disease. Although many patients enroll in ART services, only few reveal their HIV status/ condition to their families. Despite of the delay observed at ART services, most of patients are attended on time. Often, the demand for those services by both patients which voluntarily tested and patients which tested at antenatal services is influenced by the state of health of patients. Our findings suggests that health and illness concepts are associated with general knowledge of patients on HIV and AIDS are seen as the main challenge to be addressed in the development of effective response to timely enrollment to ART.

Biography :

Email: magacoamilcar6@gmail.com