Experiences of people living with HIV with respect to Isoniazid Preventive Therapy provision in Mafikeng PHC facilities

Abstract

Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is a strategy that has been proposed by the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for people living with HIV (PLWH) in order to prevent latent tuberculosis (TB) progressing to active TB. This research focused on exploring and describing experiences of people living with HIV regarding IPT provision in Ngaka Modiri Molema district in the North West Province South Africa. A qualitative, exploratory, contextual and descriptive research was used to collect data from people living with HIV. The study population comprised of 14 people living with HIV and semi- structured interviews were used to collect data. Data gathered through audio recording was transcribed into narrative form. Data were read and looked at in order to make sense of information gathered. The next step involved data coding where chunks of data were bracketed and words representing a category were written in the margins. Text data collected were segmented into paragraphs and categories were labelled with a term in the actual language of the participants. Transcribed data was analysed for themes and codes in order to facilitate data organisation. Transcribed data was analysed manually for themes and codes in order to facilitate data organisation. Three main themes emerged during interviews namely: experiences of people living with HIV regarding IPT provision, factors inhibiting IPT provision and strategies to improve provision or adherence. The results of the study indicated that there was provision of IPT at a community health centre in Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality. It is recommended that more studies be conducted focusing on experiences of professional nurses who are providing IPT. IPT training should be made an integral part of the HIV and TB training modules for the entire health care profession. The IPT programme needs to be strengthened and monitored on a continuous basis to identify bottlenecks and to take corrective action where necessary. A data base for all people living with HIV who have been initiated on IPT needs to be established to promote tracking and to identify defaulters timeously People living with HIV and professional nurses must promote and conduct awareness campaigns on a continuous basis to ensure that patients become aware of services rendered at clinics including provision of IPT. Through this, more people are likely to continue taking IPT leading to improved adherence.