Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian Online - March 12, 2008
Extending lives: A study conducted in Uganda and published this month in The Lancet has found that home-based ARV therapy provided by trained lay counsellors could be the best option for HIV-infected people living in remote, rural areas.
Mortality dropped more than 90% among HIV-positive participants and their families receiving home-based care. Instead of clinic visits, lay counsellors visited patients in their homes to deliver medication, support them in adhering to their drugs, collect blood samples and refer those with symptoms to clinics. The programme also eased the burden on local health centres.
Mortality among the dependants of HIV-positive participants decreased, as parents who were well cared for were in turn better able to care for their children.
Although most participants lacked post-primary education and lived without electricity or running water, between 89% and 97% reported taking at least 95% of their ARVs -- a better rate than many clinics are able to achieve.
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