Causes of death in people living with HIV: Lessons from five health facilities in Eswatini.

Background: Eswatini has a high HIV prevalence in adults and, despite being one of the first countries to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, AIDS-related deaths are still high.

Objectives: This study describes the causes of death among people living with HIV (PLHIV) receiving care at five clinics in Eswatini.

Method: A cross-sectional review of sociodemographic, clinical and mortality data of deceased clients who received care from 01 January 2021 to 30 June 2022, was conducted.

Cervical cancer screening outcomes for HIV-positive women in the Lubombo and Manzini regions of Eswatini-Prevalence and predictors of a positive visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) screen.

This study aimed to describe the prevalence and predictors of a positive VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) cervical cancer screening test in women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We retrospectively analysed data from women aged ≥15 who accessed VIA screening from health facilities in the Lubombo and Manzini regions of Eswatini. Sociodemographic and clinical data from October 2020 to June 2023 were extracted from the client management information system (CMIS).

Implementation of the Automated Medication Dispensing System-Early Lessons From Eswatini.

This article describes the implementation of an automated medication dispensing system (AMDS) in Eswatini to increase medication access and presents the early lessons from this implementation. The AMDS was installed at four health facilities across two regions through collaborative stakeholder engagement. Healthcare workers were trained, and clients who met the inclusion criteria accessed their medications from the system.

Integrating cardiovascular disease risk factor screening into HIV services in Swaziland: lessons from an implementation science study.

Objective: To study the feasibility of cardiovascular disease risk factor (CVDRF) screening at an HIV clinic in Swaziland.

Methods: A sample of HIV-positive patients at least 40 years on antiretroviral treatment was screened for hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and tobacco smoking.

Results: A total of 1826 patients were screened; 684 (39%) had at least one CVDRF.

Opportunities and challenges for evidence-informed HIV-noncommunicable disease integrated care policies and programs: lessons from Malawi, South Africa, Swaziland and Kenya.

Introduction: Countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are recognizing the growing dual burden of HIV and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This article explores the availability, implementation processes, opportunities and challenges for policies and programs for HIV/NCD integration in four SSA countries: Malawi, Kenya, South Africa and Swaziland.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of current policies and programs relating to HIV/NCD care integration from January to April 2017 using document review and expert opinions.

A time-motion study of cardiovascular disease risk factor screening integrated into HIV clinic visits in Swaziland.

Introduction: Screening of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is recommended but not routinely provided for HIV-infected patients, especially in low-resource settings. Potential concerns include limited staff time and low patient acceptability, but little empirical data exists. As part of a pilot study of screening in a large urban HIV clinic in Swaziland, we conducted a time-motion study to assess the impact of screening on patient flow and HIV service delivery and exit interviews to assess patient acceptability.

Can the Success of HIV Scale-Up Advance the Global Chronic NCD Agenda?

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide but have received suboptimal attention and funding from the global health community. Although the first United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) for NCD in 2011 aimed to stimulate donor funding and political action, only 1.3% of official development assistance for health was allocated to NCD in 2015, even less than in 2011.

Differences in hospital admissions for males and females in northern Uganda in the period 1992-2004: a consideration of gender and sex differences in health care use.

To inform our understanding of male and female health care use, we assessed sex differences in hospital admissions by diagnosis and for in-patient mortality using discharge records for 210319 patients admitted to the Lacor Hospital in northern Uganda in the period 1992-2004. These differences were interpreted using a gender framework. The overall number of admissions was similar by sex, yet differences emerged among age groups.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Makerere University medical students.

Background: Medical students in the course of their clinical work are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or transmitting it to their patients. HBV immunization for medical students in Uganda is recommended but not strictly enforced. It is important to assess the prevalence of HBV infection in medical students in order to improve on the interventions to control this infection among them.