Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundAccess to and utilisations of the National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines (NATG) are valuable factors for effective programme implementation. The objective of this study was to investigate the accessibility of the NATG and their utilisation by health care professionals from five treatment centres in Abuja, Nigeria.MethodA quantitative cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in 2007 using purposively sampled health care professionals. Questionnaires were self-administered to participants who consented in writing to participate in the survey.Results97 health care professionals participated in this study with about equal numbers of men and women: 48 (49.5%) women and 49 (50.5%) men. Of these, 21.6% were unaware of the existence of the NATG in their treatment centres. More than half (51.5%) reported that they did not have access to the NATG as opposed to those (48.5%) who had access to the guidelines. Furthermore, 16.5% of the participants confirmed that they had access to an institutional copy of the NATG while 14.4% indicated that they had individual copies and only 3.1% stated that they had individual copies and access to the hospital copy as well. Regarding utilisation of the NATG, 41.2% rarely used them, 32.9% never used them and only 25.7% often used them. The most frequent use of the NATG was among pharmacists (38.1%) compared to the least frequent use among nurses (20.0%).ConclusionPoor accessibility of the NATG may have a negative impact on guidelines utilisation among health care professionals in Nigeria.
Highlights
AND BACKGROUNDDisease-specific initiatives for the management of particular diseases encourage adherence to evidencebased guidelines and ensure that such adherence is monitored
16.5% of the participants confirmed that they had access to an institutional copy of the National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines (NATG) while 14.4% indicated that they had individual copies and only 3.1% stated that they had individual copies and access to the hospital copy as well
Poor accessibility of the NATG may have a negative impact on guidelines utilisation among health care professionals in Nigeria
Summary
Disease-specific initiatives for the management of particular diseases encourage adherence to evidencebased guidelines and ensure that such adherence is monitored. The Federal Government of Nigeria has put in place guidelines for the use of ARV drugs in Nigeria to ensure that quality care is delivered to all people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as part of the implementation of the National Antiretroviral Access Program.[3] The guidelines provide essential and relevant information needed by health workers to understand HIV/AIDS and to effectively treat and manage it. Access to and utilisations of the National Antiretroviral Treatment Guidelines (NATG) are valuable factors for effective programme implementation. The objective of this study was to investigate the accessibility of the NATG and their utilisation by health care professionals from five treatment centres in Abuja, Nigeria
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
