Does HAART Have a Role in Primary Care?

Paula E. Brentlinger, MD, MPH, International Health Program, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Box 354809, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 543-8382, brentp2@u.washington.edu

Background: Active treatment with HAART does not eliminate the need for other primary health services in persons with AIDS in resource-constrained areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Best practices for integration of new antiretroviral treatment programs with existing primary health initiatives (e.g. antenatal care, integrated management of childhood illness, malaria control) have yet to be defined. Content of this Session: 1. Review of interactions between AIDS, antiretroviral treatment, common health problems affecting HIV-infected and uninfected persons in sub-Saharan Africa (e.g. anemia, malaria, and TB), and standard interventions for prevention and treatment of these health problems. 2. Review of potential incompatibilities and overlaps involving protocols for AIDS treatment, TB diagnosis and treatment, antenatal care, integrated management of childhood illness, and other maternal and child health initiatives 3. Discussion of potential mechanisms for integration or coordination of HAART with other essential primary health services.

Learning Objectives:

Persons attending this session should, by the end of the session, be able to

1. Identify 3 common health problems that are important both to AIDS treatment programs and to other primary care initiatives.
2. Identify 3 drug-policy issues related to incompatibility or interaction between medications commonly used in AIDS treatment and medications commonly used in other primary-care settings.
3. Describe 2 strategies for improving attention to the primary health needs of HIV-infected persons receiving antiretroviral treatment in resource-constrained regions of Africa.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Controversies in the Financing and Delivery of Antiretroviral Drugs for AIDS in Africa

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA