Challenges in the Area of Training and Prevention at the HIV Triangulation Clinic, Kerman, Iran

Background: Since 2000, Iran has been delivering training and treatment services, including methadone therapy, to HIV positive patients through triangular clinics. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities at the HIV Triangulation Centre in the city of Kerman, Iran, through clients’ views. Methods: Participants were recruited using a convenience sample and assessed through in-depth interviews, and observations. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis, matrix based method. Findings: The results found problems in training and counseling which was described by the staff to be due to the effects of the economic difficulties of the clients, not being of the same sex as the consultant, and lack of utilization of a variety of training methods by the clients. Furthermore, the absorption of clients was perceived as being affected by the appearance of the center, gossip around the center, limited working hours, and interpersonal relations between clients and staff. The clients also criticized the building of the center as it failed to maintain anonymity of the patients. The need for supplementary services, such as dentistry, was perceived by many clients. Conclusion: The application of appropriate strategies such as providing adequate training and removing the obstacles of absorption should be taken into account to increase the utility and coverage of the triangular clinic. These interventions could be a range of activities, such as relocating the center to a more decent place and encouraging the staff to appear in a professional white coat to help gain the trust of clients

Study of acute flaccid paralysis surveillance system in Kerman (Iran) for one decade

Background — During the past decade, polio eradication has stalled globally. Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is a key strategy for monitoring the progress of polio eradication. All AFP patients who referred to expert committee were evaluated about the causes. Methods — This case series study is the result of activities for one decade of expert AFP committee of Kerman University of Medical Sciences from 2002‐2011, with coverage of more than 2,650,000 populations and 730,677 child with age of ≤15 years old. All patients have gone under diagnostic and therapeutic managements. Results — The total cases referred to Kerman expert committee of AFP for ten years were 147 cases. In our study the incidence of AFP was 2.016 per 100000 populations for one year.The most common causes of AFP were Guillain‐Barre syndrome (GBS). Other causes of AFP were; stroke, synovitis, myelitis, seizures, cerebral palsy, viral infections, tumors, cerebellitis and non‐polio AFP. The rate of GBS in our study was 0.96 per 100000 in children 15 years old or smaller, and more in male. In this study the incidence rate in cities with low mean temperature was higher than in cities with high mean temperature. Conclusion — We had no polio case in this period. The most common cause of AFPs was Guillain–Barre syndrome. The incidence of GBS was higher in areas with low mean temperature

Challenges in the Area of Training and Prevention at the HIV Triangulation Clinic, Kerman, Iran

Abstract Background: Since 2000, Iran has been delivering training and treatment services, including methadone therapy, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients through triangular clinics. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities at the HIV Triangulation Centre in the city of Kerman, Iran, through clients’ views. Methods: Participants were recruited using a convenience sample and assessed through in-depth interviews, and observations. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis, matrix based method. Findings: The results found problems in training and counseling which was described by the staff to be due to the effects of the economic difficulties of the clients, not being of the same sex as the consultant, and lack of utilization of a variety of training methods by the clients. Furthermore, the absorption of clients was perceived as being affected by the appearance of the center, gossip around the center, limited working hours, and interpersonal relations between clients and staff. The clients also criticized the building of the center as it failed to maintain anonymity of the patients. The need for supplementary services, such as dentistry, was perceived by many clients. Conclusion: The application of appropriate strategies such as providing adequate training and removing the obstacles of absorption should be taken into account to increase the utility and coverage of the triangular clinic. These interventions could be a range of activities, such as relocating the center to a more decent place and encouraging the staff to appear in a professional white coat to help gain the trust of clients. Keywords: HIV, Triangulation clinic, Counseling, Methadone therap