Browsing by Author "Kidamwina, D .P"

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    Factors influencing sub-optimal uptake of early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV: A case study of Igawilo and Ruanda Health Centres, Mbeya Region
    (University of Dar es salaam, 2020) Kidamwina, D .P
    Factors influencing sub-optimal uptake of early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV: A case study of Igawilo and Ruanda Health Centres, Mbeya Region. Domitila Patrick Kidamwina, Master of Public Health University of Dar es salaam, College of Social Science, 2020 The diagnosis of HIV in infants born to HIV positive women is a big challenge in countries that have limited resources such as Tanzania. According to existing data only about half of the HIV –exposed infants are actually diagnosed for HIV in the early infant diagnosis (EID) programs across Africa. There is a need to identify the factors that contribute to suboptimal update of EID in these countries, including Tanzania. This qualitative study was carried out with the aim of seeking to identify the factors that contribute to suboptimal uptake of EID. This was achieved through conducting qualitative interviews that involved interviewing key informants that included nurses working at Igawilo and Ruanda health facilities: laboratory staff working at the central HIV testing laboratory in Mbeya and mothers of the infants that were brought to the health facility for EID testing. The Interview guide was prepared and one on the interview was conducted with the key informants after ethical consent. The interviews were then transcribed and translated into English. Transcripts were coded to identify codes and themes. The study findings show that there are challenges at the health facilities that contribute to low uptake of EID. The include poorly trained staff, lack of utilization of EID tools at the facilities and low staffing. For the laboratories, there are issues of high turnaround times that are the result of sample rejection, downtime of testing equipment and shortage of staffing. For the clients who bring their infants to the health facilities for EID testing, long waiting time for EID testing among mothers were reported and poor communication with mothers to return for the sample returns of their infants. These challenges can be addressed by improving on communication, addressing stigma, training of nurses at health facilities and ensuring that laboratories and health facilities are equipped with well-trained personnel.