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Allocation of Antiretroviral Drugs to HIV-infected Patients in Togo: Perspectives of People Living with HIV and Healthcare Providers [r-libre/1315]

Kpanake, Lonzozou; Sorum, Paul, & Mullet, Etienne (2017). Allocation of Antiretroviral Drugs to HIV-infected Patients in Togo: Perspectives of People Living with HIV and Healthcare Providers. Journal of Medical Ethics, 43, 845-851.

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Content : Accepted Version
 
Item Type: Journal Articles
Refereed: Yes
Status: Published
Abstract: Aim: To explore the way people living with HIV and healthcare providers in Togo judge the priority of HIV-infected patients regarding the allocation of antiretroviral drugs. Method: From June to September 2015, 200 adults living with HIV and 121 healthcare providers living in Togo were recruited for the study. They were presented with stories of a few lines depicting the situation of an HIV-infected patient and were instructed to judge the extent to which the patient should be given priority for antiretroviral drugs. The stories were composed by systematically varying the levels of four factors: (a) the severity of HIV infection, (b) the financial situation of the patient, (c) the patient’s family responsibilities and (d) the time elapsed since the first consultation. Results: Five clusters were identified: 65% of the participants expressed the view that patients who are poor and severely sick should be treated as a priority, 13% prioritised treatment of patients who are poor and parents of small children, 12% expressed the view that the poor should be treated as a priority, 4% preferred that the sickest be treated as a priority and 6% wanted all patients to get treatment. Conclusion: The WHO’s guideline regarding ART allocation (the sickest first as the sole criterion) currently in use in many African countries does not reflect the preferences of Togolese people living with HIV. For most HIV-infected patients in Togo, patients who cannot get treatment on their own should be treated as a priority. Keywords: health care rationing; antiretroviral therapy; public opinion; empirical research; Togo
Official URL: http://jme.bmj.com/content/43/12/845
Depositor: Kpanake, Lonzozou
Owner / Manager: Lonzozou Kpanake
Deposited: 13 Dec 2017 21:15
Last Modified: 13 Dec 2017 21:15

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