An Assessement of Antiretroviral Therapy art Patients monitoring system in Addis Ababa
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The searchfor an HIV medicine dates back to the 1980 's where advances were made
using monotheraphy. Today, the HIV therapy is based on the use of a combination of
drugs known as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Ethiopia adopted a policy
of antiretroviral (ARV) drug supply and use in July 2003 and moved towards Fee ARV
treatment in JanuGlY 24, 2005. Since the start of the program, data was collected about
patients taking the medicine. The collected data was to be used to aid decision making
concerning the program and the overall HIV situation.
The objective of this study paper is to assess the Ethiopian Antiretroviral Therapy Patient
Monitoring System and its function in Addis Ababa. For the study, four public, Zewditu,
Menilik II, St. Peter, and Yekatit 12, and three private, Bethezatha, Zenbaba and Bethel
HO~jJitals were selected. The primary data was collected Fom ART personnel, data
clerks, nurses and doctors. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with key
informants/i'om relevant agencies.
The collected data was analyzed based on a conceptual/i-amework, Data Demand and
Information Use, which stressed the interplay of three determinants of a system. These
determinates are, Behavioral, Technical and the Determinants at the System and
fndividual Level. 'l'l1e process of the antiretroviral patient dataflow was also discussed to
give a clearer picture of the system.
The .findings of the study have shown that there is a strong sense of responsibility among
employees working ill the ART section. Though the sections are understaffed alld
overextended in tlleir efforts, the staffs do their best in aiding patients and colleagues.
Supervisors have had roles to play in the creation of a good working environment.
Whatever the effort of the staff, a number of improvements could be undertaken to
advance the system. For one, the process (jf data.flow requires standardization and could
be highly improved if the use of the software under tasting was accelerated. Internet use
also would have a great impact in speeding up the reporting process. The reporting
forms lack relevant/ields in some cases and sometimes ask redundant questions in other
situations. Tilis situation creates feelings of boredom in the already unde/paid
employees. Tlnls. elimination of these unnecessalY questions will have a positive impact
in the behavior of employees.
In conclusion. the study l/CIs identified a number of problems in the determinants. The
majority (jf the identified problems revolve around personnel. However, in designing the
variaus carrecting interventions. the interaction among the determinants and effect (jf
one determinant on another should be kept in mind
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Keywords
Patients monitoring system