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Implementing antiretroviral therapy programs in resource-constrained settings: Lessons from Monze, Zambia

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Abstract

We describe the impact of an antiretroviral therapy program on human resource utilization and service delivery in a rural hospital in Monze, Zambia, using qualitative data. We assess project impact on staff capacity utilization, service delivery, and community perception of care. Increased workload resulted in fatigue, low staff morale, and exacerbated critical manpower shortages, but also an increase in users of antiretroviral therapy, improvement in hospital infrastructure and funding, and an overall community satisfaction with service delivery. Integrating HAART programs within existing hospital units and services may be a good alternative to increase overall efficiency. Commentary JPHP.2011.8, available at www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/, relates to this article.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the District Health Authority, the Board of Monze Mission General Hospital, and the study participants for facilitating and the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Public Health Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, 10461, New York, USA

    Adebola Adedimeji

  2. Centre for Global Health, University of Dublin Trinity College, 3-4 Foster Place Dublin 2, Ireland

    Oliver Malokota & Ogenna Manafa

Authors
  1. Adebola Adedimeji
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  2. Oliver Malokota
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  3. Ogenna Manafa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adebola Adedimeji.

Additional information

A study of an antiretroviral therapy (ART) program implemented with a stand-alone strategy in a Zambian rural general hospital illustrates some advantages and disadvantages of separating HIV/AIDS care from other services.

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Adedimeji, A., Malokota, O. & Manafa, O. Implementing antiretroviral therapy programs in resource-constrained settings: Lessons from Monze, Zambia. J Public Health Pol 32, 198–210 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2011.4

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