Browsing by Author "Liechty, Cheryl A."

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    HIV Counseling and Testing Practices at an Urban Hospital in Kampala, Uganda
    (AIDS and Behavior, 2006) Wanyenze, Rhoda K.; Kamya, Moses R.; Liechty, Cheryl A.; Ronald, Allan; Guzman, David J.; Wabwire-Mangen, Fred; Mayanja-Kizza, Harriet; Bangsberg, David R.
    While the majority of medical inpatients in Uganda are assumed to be HIV-positive, HIV testing is limited in inpatient settings. This study describes HIV testing practices and risk behavior among medical inpatients at an urban hospital in Uganda. We interviewed 395 adults on the day of discharge. Overall, 46% tested for HIV before or during admission. Of the 20% tested during hospitalization, 64% were HIV-positive. Among 47% who had sex in the previous year, only 14% used condoms consistently and only 20% knew the HIV status of their sexual partner, indicating that participants would benefit from risk-reduction counseling. Yet, only 26% of participants tested during hospitalization received post-test counseling. Half of the participants with HIV-related illnesses left the hospital without being offered the test, a missed opportunity for HIV prevention counseling and care. The findings indicate that hospitals are important venues for HIV counseling and testing.
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    Linkage to HIV Care and Survival Following Inpatient HIV Counseling and Testing
    (AIDS and Behavior, 2011) Wanyenze, Rhoda K.; Hahn, Judith A.; Liechty, Cheryl A.; Ragland, Kathie; Ronald, Allan; Mayanja-Kizza, Harriet; Coates, Thomas; Kamya, Moses R.; Bangsberg, David R.
    Linkage to HIV care and survival in sub-Saharan Africa is not well documented. In 2004 we conducted a randomized trial among medical inpatients in Mulago Hospital to assess the impact of HIV counseling and testing (HCT) on linkage to care and survival. Participants were randomized to inpatient HCT (intervention) or outpatient HCT 1 week post-discharge (control); inpatient HCT was not available at Mulago during the study. Among 590 eligible patients, 85% (500) agreed to participate; 98.8% (248) in the intervention arm received HCT compared to 68.7% (171) in the control arm. Within 6 months, 62.2% (92) of surviving HIV-infected participants received HIV care; 15.0% (20) received antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Overall mortality among HIV infected participants was 34.6% (72). HCT had significant impact on linkage to care among surviving participants. Referral for HCT was a missed opportunity for diagnosis. There is need for earlier diagnosis and linkage to HIV care among inpatients.