"I may not say we really have a method, it is gambling work": knowledge and acceptability of safer conception methods among providers and HIV clients in Uganda.

In this qualitative study, researchers assessed knowledge, acceptability, and feasibility of safer conception methods (SCM; timed unprotected intercourse [TUI], manual self-insemination, and sperm washing) among various health care providers (n = 33) and 48 HIV clients with recent or current childbearing intentions in Uganda. While several clients and providers had heard of SCM (especially TUI), few fully understood how to use the methods. All provider types expressed a desire to incorporate SCM into their practice; however, this will require training and counseling protocols, sensitization to overcome cultural norms that pose obstacles to these methods, and partner engagement (particularly by men) in safer conception counseling.

"Our hands are tied up": current state of safer conception services suggests the need for an integrated care model.

We conducted in-depth interviews with a variety of health care providers (n = 33) in Uganda to identify current services that could support and act as barriers to the provision of safer conception counseling (SCC). Consistent with their training and expertise, providers of all types reported provision of services for people living with a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS who desire a child. Important barriers, including a lack of service integration, poor communication between stakeholders, and the absence of policy guidelines, were identified.

Preventing antiretroviral treatment interruptions among HIV/AIDS patients in Africa.

Edward Mills and Christine Nabiryo discuss a new qualitative study in that offers insight into disengagement from HIV treatment care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Reliability of scored patient generated subjective global assessment for nutritional status among HIV infected adults in TASO, Kampala.

Objective: Establish the reliability of the scored Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) in determining nutritional status among Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) naive HIV-infected adults.

Methods: A descriptive, cross sectional study among outpatient medical clinics, in The AIDS Support Organization (TASO), Mulago Centre, Kampala, Uganda. The study group (n=217) consisted of male (n=60) and female (n=157) HIV patients (18-67 years).

The experience of "medicine companions" to support adherence to antiretroviral therapy: quantitative and qualitative data from a trial population in Uganda.

Good adherence is critical for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa. We report on the characteristics of medicine companions (MCs) chosen by Ugandan patients enrolling on ART, and on how MCs were chosen, and what roles they played. Baseline data on MCs of 1453 participants in a randomized controlled trial comparing facility and home-based delivery of ART in Jinja, Uganda were analyzed.