Title:
A review on the operational implementation of point-of-care laboratory technologies for monitoring antiretroviral treatment of people living with HIV in low and middle-income countries
Authors:
Masiku, Charlie Willie
Place:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2019
PAGE:
viii, 58
Language:
En
Subject:
Governance & HIV and AIDS
Keywords:
CD4 lymphocyte count, HIV, Viral load, Point-of-care systems, Primary healthcare
Abstract:
Majority of people living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide live in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). To keep a healthy living, the continuum of HIV care requires lifelong treatment and continuous monitoring to keep the treatment effective. CD4 count and HIV viral load laboratory tests are used for monitoring the treatment. However, technology for carrying out tests such as these are not widely available in LIMCs except in a few central laboratories. PHC facilities collects specimen from the PLHIV and send to the central laboratories. In an attempt to reach all PLHIV with the services, global actors in HIV such as CHAI and UNITAID have invested in the development of point-of-care technologies which can be used in PHC facilities by non-laboratory health workers yet giving out high quality results. This study was conducted to assess and evaluate point-of-care technologies that may be more suitable for use in the LMICs. Literature on studies carried out from 2013 to 2019 on the use of point-of-care technology to enumerate CD4 and HIV viral load in the LMICs was reviewed. The results indicate that Genexpert and PIMA are the most suitable technologies for use in the large part of LMICs. Genexpert is simpler to be operated by junior laboratory workers. It is also used for diagnosing TB. PIMA is portable and, unlike other machines, tends to yield test results in just about 20minutes. It can easily be used by almost any health worker. Therefore, the two laboratory technologies are highly recommended for use in LMICs.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
Malawi
Region:
southeastern Africa
Training:
Master in International Health (MIH)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2019 Masiku
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
ZBtbfDBdwP_20200928124532203.pdf