The Basic Health Team Members’ Level of Knowledge about Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections

Authors

Keywords:

human immunodeficiency virus, opportunistic diseases, basic health team.

Abstract

Introduction: The proper functioning of the basic health team is an essential pillar for the control of human immunodeficiency virus infections, since the care required by these patients is comprehensive from the medical, counseling and support points of view. In this way, the main objective at this time is met: to reduce the incidence of new infections by the virus; regardless of others, inherent to primary prevention, health promotion, early diagnosis, antiretroviral treatment, its correct prescription and follow-up, in addition to special attention to seropositive pregnant women. At present, these potentialities do not always generate the desired results, that’s why, it is necessary to monitor, systematically, the health team members’ knowledge and skills on this subject.

Objective: To explore the health team members’ level of knowledge on human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Antonio Maceo and Abel Santamaría outpatient polyclinics Cerro Municipality, La Habana Province, in the period January-December 2023, with an intentional sampling. A survey validated by experts was applied to members of the health team.

Results: The greatest insufficiency of knowledge was in the management of opportunistic diseases, as well as in the knowledge about antiretroviral therapy, its adherence and resistance.

Conclusions: The health team members’ level of knowledge within comprehensive about human immunodeficiency virus infection was insufficient, which compromises their professional performance.

Author Biography

Susana Coello Santana, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas Calixto García. Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de La Habana

Doctora en Medicina, Especialista de 1º y 2º Grado Medicina Interna, Especialista en Infectología, Profesora Titular Medicina Interna, Profesora Consultante de la Universidad Ciencias Médicas de la Habana. Master en Educación Médica. Dra en Ciencias de la Educación Médica.Asesora  de planes y programas de estudio.

Published

2024-04-23

Issue

Section

Artículos Originales

Most read articles by the same author(s)