The Ebola outbreak: effects on HIV reporting, testing and care in Bonthe district, rural Sierra Leone
Concludes that pre-emptive actions are needed to maintain the levels of HIV testing in any future ebola outbreak
Abstract
Setting
All public health facilities in Bonthe District, rural Sierra Leone
Objective
To compare, in the periods before and during the Ebola virus disease outbreak:
- the submission and completeness of monthly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) reports
- the uptake of HIV testing and care for pregnant women and the general population.
Design
A cross-sectional study using routine programme data.
Conclusion
There was suboptimal reporting on HIV/acquired immune-deficiency disease syndrome activities before and during the Ebola virus disease outbreak. HIV testing decreased during the Ebola outbreak, while the uptake of prevention of mother-to-child transmission and ART increased. Pre-emptive actions are needed to maintain the levels of HIV testing in any future outbreak.
This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)
Citation
Gamanga AH, Owiti P, Bhat P, Harries AD, Kargbo-Labour I, Koroma M. The Ebola outbreak: effects on HIV reporting, testing and care in Bonthe district, rural Sierra Leone. Public Health Action. 2017;7(1):10–5.