Self-management for HIV among people living with HIV/AIDS accessing care at Kiswa Health Centre III, Kampala Central Uganda.

Abstract

Introduction: Effective and sustainable self-management programs are essential to ensure optimal uptake of medical, physical, emotional, and psychological recommendations in people living with chronic illnesses like HIV/AIDS. Self-management does not mean the patients handling their health by themselves, it is done with the support of the health professionals including nurses and physicians to promote the health of the individual patients. However, self-management interventions for people living with HIV has not been a research priority in sub-Saharan Africa and there is little evidence to inform such. The paucity of information on the status of self-management in Uganda, necessitates quantitative studies like this one to determine the levels of HIV self- management and associated factors. This study therefore assessed the level of self-management among PLHIV accessing care at Kiswa Health Centre III, and the factors influencing self-management among the population. Methodology: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study using interviewer administered questionnaires to assess the level of self-management for HIV among PLHIV. This was after IRB ethical approval and obtaining written informed consent from the participants. The study recruited individuals accessing ART services at Kiswa Health Centre III. Kampala, Uganda. A copy of findings of the study has been shared with the administration of Kiswa Health Centre, Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), Albert Cook Medical library and department of Nursing, Makerere University and disseminated through presentations at seminars and both national and international conferences. A manuscript shall be published in a peer-reviewed journal to be accessed by other scholars.