AIDS in Africa: what drugs do the carers want or need?
Lamont, A.C.; Greiff, M.; Rosenberg, D.S.; Wiggin, T.R.
Tropical Doctor 26(2): 72-76
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-4755 PMID: 8685971 DOI: 10.1177/004947559602600210Document Number: 300689
Inter Care, a UK charitable organization, provides essential drugs to 120 medical units in Africa. To upgrade support to units caring for substantial numbers of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, Inter Care sent a questionnaire to 57 of its small rural hospitals and health and maternity units. Of the 37 units that returned the questionnaire, 24 reported access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) laboratory tests while another seven relied on clinical diagnostic methods. The number of AIDS patients treated per month ranged from 0 to 200 (mean, 50). Diseases and conditions most commonly associated with AIDS included diarrhea, pneumonia, candidiasis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted diseases. The most commonly used drugs were metronidazole, micronazole oral gel, and oxytetracycline. On the basis of these findings, Inter Care was able to modify the contents of AIDS boxes provided to its affiliates. An assumption was made that a patient with AIDS spends only two weeks in the hospital before death given the rapid progression of the disease in Africa. The drugs supplied vary according to specific requests and the type of facility, but seek to treat the AIDS-related conditions identified in the survey with the least expensive drug available. Also provided, depending on need, are HIV test kits and educational posters.