Description
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that non-communicable diseases (NCDS)are the leading cause of global mortalities, responsible for 74% of annual deaths. People living with HIV are at a risk of developing and dying from NCDS due to various factors. Therefore there is a a need to integrate NCD prevention, screening, early detection, and treatment into HIV services. Kisumu County Referral Hospital has integrated NCD services into HIV care to improve patient health outcomes.
Methods
A comprehensive approach was adopted from September 2023 to March 2024 to integrate NCD services among PLHIV. Awareness programs included client health talks, clinic sensitization sessions, and provider training, highlighting the importance of screening at every visit. Screening was carried out by a multidisciplinary team comprising
nurses, clinical officers, medical officers, and peer educators. The EMR was used to monitor screening, diagnosis, and referrals, ensuring linkage to specialists for follow-up and management.
Results:
At baseline, 6,765 PLHIV were identified. Documented NCD prevalence increased from 313 clients (5%) in September 2023 to 606 clients (8.9%) in March 2024.4. Of these cases, 323 (53.3%) were female and 283 (46.6%) male. Hypertension was the most common NCD (442;72.9%), followed by diabetes (76; 12.5%), mental illness (14; 2.3%), cancers (4; 0.6%), heart disease (2; 0.3%), thyroid disease (7; 1.1%), kidney disease (6; 0.9%), and other conditions (88;14%). Overweight and obesity (98; 16.2%) had a BMI >25 and were also identified as predisposing factors.
Conclusion
NCD cases among PLHIV at Kisumu County Referral Hospital are consistently rising, with hypertension being the most common condition. Routine screening, thorough documentation, and early intervention are crucial for improving outcomes. Female clients seem more susceptible to NCDs, underscoring the importance of gender-sensitive care and nutritional strategies to address obesity-related risks.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of Kenya |
| Position | Clinical Officer |
| Received a Grant? | No |
