Barcelona 2013
Menu
AIDSImpact.com
Conference Details
Authors
International Committee
Plenary Speakers
Presenting Speakers
Programme
Sessions
Scientific Committee
Acknowledgements
| Abstract #394 - E-Posters English | ||||
|
Session: 50.15: E-Posters English (Poster) on Sunday in Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Mrs Verusia Chetty - University Of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
||||
| Additional Authors: Dr. Jordi Casabona, Sra Cristina Sanclemente, Dra. Anna Esteve, Dra. Victoria Gonzalez, Grupo HIVITS TS, | ||||
| Aim: In the ART era, HIV has become a chronic illness. PLHIV live longer but experience various disabilities. While rehabilitation is central to the treatment of other chronic illnesses, it is still an evolving concept within HIV care in Southern Africa.This study sought to identify the need for rehabilitation and the barriers to the current rehabilitation framework at a semi-rural setting a catalyst to a larger study that aims to develop a model of care in rehabilitation. | ||||
| Method / Issue: A retrospective study involving chart analyses of 116 PLHIV referred for rehabilitation was conducted in a semi-rural public-funded hospital. This included analyses of patients? diagnoses, and treatment plans. | ||||
| Results / Comments: 56% of patients were referred for physiotherapy due to pulmonary TB infection, 19% with cerebrovascular accident, 12% with meningitis, 7% with lower respiratory tract infection and 6% with pneumonia. A significant number of patients were older than 40. Consultative meetings showed that patients face various barriers limiting access to rehabilitation such as lack of transport and financial issues. The physiotherapy department had no outreach element, while an associated NGO assisted PLHIV in their homes but provided no rehabilitation. | ||||
| Discussion: The co-morbidity of HIV with other diseases increases the need for rehabilitation. The current model of care neglects the rehabilitative needs of PLHIV particularly with regard to access. HIV programmes should learn from existing programmes such as community based rehabilitation or block therapy, which are suitable for resource-poor, isolated communities. Additionally, outreach programmes should include rehabilitation within their services. This study has currently led to the development of a Model of Care in the rehabilitation of PLHIV in the above setting. | ||||
| Go Back | ||||