Abstract: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services have drawn much attention in most African countries. Special focus had been directed toward the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old. However, little is known about parental and guardians' roles in optimizing the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents 15 – 19 years in Leribe district, Lesotho. The study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of parents and guardians regarding contraceptive use by adolescents to prevent teenage pregnancy in the Leribe district. A qualitative exploratory study design was done using one-on-one semi-structured interviews with parents and guardians raising adolescents aged 15-19 years in their homes. Twelve parents and guardians attending healthcare services at the selected hospital were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using six steps of Thematic data analysis by Braun and Clarke. Six themes were identified from the study, parents and guardians knew about contraceptives and their use, contraceptive use was understood to prevent problems to the family, contraceptives were viewed as resulting in unfavorable behaviour to adolescents, experiences on sexual health communication were considered as significant and non-significant, outreach services were needed to reach vulnerable adolescents, and awareness about contraceptive use by adolescents. Participants were aware of the prevailing situation of teenage pregnancy and its consequences. That is why they advocated for contraceptive use by adolescents and engage in sexual health communication for their adolescents to make the right decisions concerning SRH issues.
Abstract: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services have drawn much attention in most African countries. Special focus had been directed toward the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by adolescents aged 15 to 19 years old. However, little is known about parental and guardians' roles in optimizing the utilization of sexual and reproduc...Show More
Abstract: Background: Approximately one third of all PLWHA are infected with latent TB infection and HIV`s attack on the immune system greatly increases the risk that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will progress to active TB form. Implementation of a co-infection prevention intervention addresses the HIV counseling and testing for all TB patients and this allows individuals to access comprehensive health care services for both diseases. Recognizing and treating TB in people living with HIV can be advantage to prevent or reduce TB-related morbidity and mortality. General objective of the study: Assess the Anti-TB treatment outcome among HIV positive and negative TB patients. Method: This study was conducted in SNNPR, Hawassa city, Adare Hospital from February 20 to 28/2011. A retrospective comparative cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted on a total of 1000 TB patients (existing facility based secondary data from TB registry book). Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version17 statistical package. Percentages were calculated to describe all the variables, odd ration with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess associations between independent and dependent variables. Result: Only 72.9% were tested for HIV and out of these 32.6% were HIV positive. Among HIV negative patients “treatment success” rate was 85.7% whereas among HIV positive patients was 77.1%. These indicate that individuals with HIV positive its anti-TB treatment outcome is more associated with its HIV sero-status. Conclusion: strengthening of implementation of TB/HIV co-infection intervention and giving attention to those co-infected patients for better quality of care is recommended.
Abstract: Background: Approximately one third of all PLWHA are infected with latent TB infection and HIV`s attack on the immune system greatly increases the risk that latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) will progress to active TB form. Implementation of a co-infection prevention intervention addresses the HIV counseling and testing for all TB patients and t...Show More