We are proud to announce that two new articles have been published recently by the RESPOND-AFRICA research group. The first, titled: “Integrating Care for Diabetes and Hypertension with HIV Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review” by McCombe et al. was published in the International Journey of Integrated Care. In this article, the authors reviewed the literature and current policies to assess the feasibility of integrating care for HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa.

The second article: “Integrated healthcare services for HIV, diabetes mellitus and hypertension in selected health facilities in Kampala and Wakiso districts, Uganda: A qualitative methods study” by Bukenya et al was published in PLOS Global Public Health, and assesses the feasibility of integrating care for HIV, diabetes and hypertension in five health facilities in Uganda.

The review by McCombe and colleagues included 38 studies and showed evidence that the integration of HIV and NCD care can be feasible and can improve clinical effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa. It also suggests that this strategy could be cost-effective in the region. The review also identified some barriers and facilitators for integrating HIV and NCD care, such as:

The study published by Bukenya and colleagues focuses on highlighting the service user and healthcare worker experiences participating in the study in Uganda and found that integrating non-communicable disease and HIV care had benefits for all users. It showed that during the study shortages of diabetes and hypertension drugs and diagnostic equipment could be addressed when integrating care with HIV care, that integration reduced the number of visits needed and, therefore, transportation costs, and that perceived stigma among older people living with HIV was reduced by the integrated care model.

The integration of HIV and NCD care can be feasible and can improve clinical effectiveness in sub-Saharan Africa

These studies report that integrating HIV and NCD care is feasible in sub-Saharan Africa. The RESPOND-AFRICA model, as well as the integrated care models described in the review by McCombe et al, should be tailored to a countries’ available resources, needs, and priorities if adapting in other settings. The RESPOND-AFRICA research group will use these findings to keep improving integrated HIV and NCD care in sub-Saharan Africa.

To stay up to date on study results as they become available, visit www.inteafrica.org, www.lstmed.ac.uk/RespondAfrica or follow the hashtag #INTEAFRICA on Twitter.

 

Reference:

McCombe G, Lim J, Van Hout MC, Lazarus JV, Bachmann M, Jaffar S, et al.(2022) Integrating Care for Diabetes and Hypertension with HIV Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Integrated Care. 2022;22(1):6.

Bukenya D, Van Hout M-C, Shayo EH, Kitabye I, Junior BM, Kasidi JR, et al. (2022) Integrated healthcare services for HIV, diabetes mellitus and hypertension in selected health facilities in Kampala and Wakiso districts, Uganda: A qualitative methods study. PLOS Glob Public Health 2(2): e0000084.