Strengthening Surveillance System Of HIV Infected Adolescent At Patient Support Center In Kisii Teaching And Referral Hospital

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy coverage has contributed to reversal of the global trend in HIV/AIDS mortality through new institutions formed with substantial commitment to HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment. As a result of curbing the rise in epidemic ‘Getting to zero’ campaign has been promoted with a vision of achieving universal health care through reduction in HIV/Aids prevalence, by having Zero new infections among HIV infected population, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDs Related death in order to achieve 95:95:95 strategy. Kisii county is ranked eleventh nationally with a HIV prevalence of 4.4%, 5976 new HIV infections annually where 2552 are adolescent aged 10-19 yrs. with annual new infection of 274 and 49 HIV death related annually 6. Adolescent ART coverage stands at 92% while viral suppression is at 65%. Operation Triple Zero initiative was started to help adolescents with high viral load to closely monitor their appointments, drug intake in order to achieve viral load to undetectable levels (zero viral load). The adolescent who achieve the targets are rewarded in order to encourage the rest of the club members. The slogan for the initiative is ‘Zero for hero’s’ The adolescents are recruited voluntarily both with high viral load and those who have virally suppressed to join a club where they are educated and informed that their health is their responsibility through triple zero initiative which means first Zero is no missed Appointment, the second Zero is No missed Drug and the last Zero is maintain Zero viral Load. Review of viral load is done after six month to monitor their viral load suppression. As a way of strengthening the initiative, surveillance committee team was formed among the health workers with small motivation to help them utilize clinical data for decision making and timely tracking appointment, treatment and viral suppression. The intervention encourages adolescents to joint an OTZ club where they share their experience with peers , learn about health issues, recreational activites, keep track of their appointment and their medication thus resulting to low viral load .Active surveillance committee utilize data for timely decision making and response to emerging issues from the OTZ club. Champion OTZ adolescents will act as ambassador to the rest through forming clubs in school which encourage other peers without disclosing their status on the importance of drug adherence and clinic attendance. OTZ club has contributed to viral suppression of adolescent which stand at 85% through keeping appointments, timely taking of medication and increase knowledge on the importance of medication intake