Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed ...Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed in all situations where patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029). Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19 was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19 context, using evidence-based data and integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy during the COVID-19 Era.展开更多
Context/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all programs, potentially impacting access to health services for children under 5 years old. The Far North of Cameroon is one of the northern regions with a pre...Context/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all programs, potentially impacting access to health services for children under 5 years old. The Far North of Cameroon is one of the northern regions with a prevalence of malnourished children ranging from 5% to 10%. Due to the barrier measures implemented to combat the pandemic, many parents are reluctant to take their children to healthcare facilities. Some of these children were benefiting from the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) program prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The main objective of this research is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on access to health services for children under 5 in the Mayo Tsanaga (MT) and Logone & Chari (LC) departments. The implementation of barrier measures could significantly increase the risk of malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the MT and LC departments, employing both retrospective and prospective approaches. Data was collected through questionnaire, interview guide and a review of existing data prior to the pandemic (DHIS 2). Kobo Collect software was used for data collection, and R software was used for analysis. Results: Children who benefitted from the ACC program during the COVID-19 period were found to have a lower prevalence of malnutrition compared to those who did not benefit (OR: 0.09, CI {0.0 - 0.44}). Conclusion: COVID-19 has led to a decrease in the utilization of health facilities in both departments of the study, resulting in an increase in health issues such as malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Various policies have been implemented to improve attendance at health facilities.展开更多
文摘Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed in all situations where patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029). Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19 was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19 context, using evidence-based data and integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy during the COVID-19 Era.
文摘Context/objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted all programs, potentially impacting access to health services for children under 5 years old. The Far North of Cameroon is one of the northern regions with a prevalence of malnourished children ranging from 5% to 10%. Due to the barrier measures implemented to combat the pandemic, many parents are reluctant to take their children to healthcare facilities. Some of these children were benefiting from the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) program prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. The main objective of this research is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on access to health services for children under 5 in the Mayo Tsanaga (MT) and Logone & Chari (LC) departments. The implementation of barrier measures could significantly increase the risk of malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in the MT and LC departments, employing both retrospective and prospective approaches. Data was collected through questionnaire, interview guide and a review of existing data prior to the pandemic (DHIS 2). Kobo Collect software was used for data collection, and R software was used for analysis. Results: Children who benefitted from the ACC program during the COVID-19 period were found to have a lower prevalence of malnutrition compared to those who did not benefit (OR: 0.09, CI {0.0 - 0.44}). Conclusion: COVID-19 has led to a decrease in the utilization of health facilities in both departments of the study, resulting in an increase in health issues such as malnutrition among children under 5 years old. Various policies have been implemented to improve attendance at health facilities.
