Provision of HIV viral load testing services in Zimbabwe: Secondary data analyses using data from health facilities using the electronic Patient Monitoring System.
Tsitsi ApolloKudakwashe C TakarindaAndrew PhillipsChiratidzo NdhlovuFrances M CowanPublished in: PloS one (2021)
The study findings provide insights to implementation gaps including limitations in VL testing; low identification of high- risk PLHIV in care and lack of prompt utilization of test results. The use of electronic patient-level data has demonstrated its usefulness in assessing the performance of the national VL testing program. By end of 2017 implementation of VL testing was sub-optimal, and virological failure was relatively common, particularly among adolescents. Of concern is evidence of failure to act on VL test results that were received. A quality improvement initiative has been planned in response to these findings and its effect on patient management will be monitored.
Keyphrases
- quality improvement
- healthcare
- primary care
- case report
- electronic health record
- antiretroviral therapy
- hiv infected
- big data
- public health
- mental health
- palliative care
- human immunodeficiency virus
- hepatitis c virus
- hiv positive
- hiv aids
- health information
- data analysis
- south africa
- hiv infected patients
- social media
- health insurance