Caribbean Health Leadership InstituteCohort 5

Group 5 – Action Learning Project06th November 2012

Acknowledgements

• Dr. Ellen Grizzle (Mentor)• Dr. Carnille Farquharson• Dr. Donna-Michelle Royer-Powe• Ms. Ferdinia Carbon• Ms. Joy Crawford• Mr. Fazad Mohammed

Thoughts from Group Members

• Good group work makes hard work easier• Good group dynamics, working with people

strengthens any weaknesses• Distance is not a limitation to communication• Use your resources wisely and effectively

Problem Statements

• How can ‘treatment as prevention’ improve the outcome of our HIV programmes?

• Are government and private practitioners able to pursue this option given current resources?

Literature Review

Concept and Definition• Treatment as prevention a relatively new concept• Describes ARVs being used by all HIV diagnosed

patients regardless of CD4 and viral load levels • Decreases the viral load of blood and sexual

secretions in treated persons to undetectable levels• Essentially prevents transmission of the virus and

infection to their sexual partner• Theoretically should significantly impact the disease

regionally [and worldwide] by initially zeroing the rate of new infections and possibly eradicate the disease

PROCESS

• Action Learning Group was set up• Group was named (CHLI5five) and logo

developed• Communication between group members was

established using Skype, Blackberry messenger and Google group.

• Weekly group meetings were held at a designated time and duration with a new moderator at each meeting

• Members’ strengths were highlighted

• Members were assigned roles for ALP• Target population was determined• Questionnaire was developed using PMTCT

Policy• Meetings were moved to monthly basis• Questionnaires were administered and

submitted for analysis• Data analysis was prepared and report

formulated. • Information brochure developed for target

Research - Methodology

• Self administered questionnaire• 40 questionnaires were distributed and a total

of 28 questionnaires were returned (70% response rate)

Research - Instrument

• Self administered questionnaire– Comprised of combination of dichotomous and

open ended questions. – No names or identifying marks were recorded– Questionnaires were delivered to eleven different

institutions across four countries

Research - Challenges

• Time frame– Time constraints allowed for a small sample size– Due to competing commitments group members were

strained to execute data collection• Geographic Spread of team members– Team members were present in 4 countries leading to

breakdown in communication• Lack of willingness of respondents– Many respondents did not see the project as a priority

and refused participation in the study

Research - Benefits

• Geographic Spread of team members– Team members were present in 4 countries

allowing for semi-regional review• Instrument used– A self administered questionnaire allowed for

respondents to respond on their own time in confidentiality reducing bias

– Cost effective

Findings

93%

7%

Do you think that Treatment as Prevention can help manage the HIV rates of infection?

yes

no

Findings

yes no response0

5

10

15

20

25

30 26

2

Do you think that Treatment as Prevention has decreased the number of infected infants

born to HIV positive mothers?Re

spon

dent

s

Recommendations

• Development of IEC materials for patients about their treatment options

• These materials can help facilitate further dialogue between doctor and patient regarding treatment options

• It can also be used as a conversation starter between couples regarding their unborn child

Lessons Learnt from action learning project• Flexibility and Compromise• Patience• Difference between assertive and aggressive• Effective use of limited resources• Innovation (overcoming barriers to

communication)• Sensitivity to cultural differences• Time management

Questions/FeedbackThank you