Level of understanding of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected, recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis suspects at a national referral tuberculosis clinic in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative analysis.
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Health Sciences
Abstract
Co-trimoxazole use is the standard of care for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in sub-Saharan
Africa but implementation remains slow. Co-trimoxazole is self- administered with uncertain adherence. Knowledge of
co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected persons is unknown.
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected adults evaluated for
recurrent PTB in Kampala, Uganda.
Methods: A qualitative study utilizing 5 focus group discussions among 30 HIV infected PTB suspects at the national referral
tuberculosis treatment centre in Kampala.
Results: Males and females had similar median ages. 80% were currently on co-trimoxazole and 50% of participants were
on HAART. Majority of participants defined co-trimoxazole as an analgesic. Few noted co-trimoxazole was a drug to treat
cough and chest pain. However, few responses revealed that co-trimoxazole prevents opportunistic diseases among PLHIV.
Most of participants believed HAART and anti-TB drugs work as co-trimoxazole thus it should not be taken together with
them. This belief may lead to increased risk of opportunistic infections, morbidity and mortality.
Conclusions: We revealed gaps in understanding of co-trimoxazole use among study participants. We therefore recommend
that more facts about co-trimoxazle as prophylaxis against P. jirovecii, bacterial and diarrheal pathogens should be
incorporated in VCT fact sheets.
Description
Keywords
Recurrent tuberculosis, HIV, Co-trimoxazole use, Chemoprophylaxis, Adherence
Citation
Okwera, A., Mafigiri, D. K., Guwatudde, D., Whalen, C., & Joloba, M. (2015). Level of understanding of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected, recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis suspects at a national referral tuberculosis clinic in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative analysis. African Health Sciences, 15(1), 49-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v15i1.7