Loading…
A systematic review evaluating the impact of task shifting on access to antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa
Background: Task shifting, defined for this review as the shifting of ART initiation and management from physicians to nurses, has been proposed as a possible method to increase access to HIV treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To critically evaluate the literature on task shifting, determin...
Saved in:
Published in: | African health sciences 2012-09, Vol.12 (3), p.318-324 |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
Summary: | Background: Task shifting, defined for this review as the shifting of
ART initiation and management from physicians to nurses, has been
proposed as a possible method to increase access to HIV treatment in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To critically evaluate the literature on
task shifting, determining if there is evidence to support this view.
Methods: A systematic search of the literature was undertaken, with
both peer reviewed publications and conference abstracts presenting
original data eligible for inclusion. Studies were evaluated according
to methodology and discussion of confounding factors. Results: We
identified 25 articles which evaluated the effect of task shifting on
access to ART. The evidence was mixed. Although there is a significant
body of field reports indicating that task shifting increases access,
these studies were of low methodological quality. The only randomized
controlled trial included in this review did not find that task
shifting increased in access. Conclusion: Task shifting appears to be
most effective at increasing access when combined with other
interventions and financial support. There is a need for more research
into the effects of task shifting policies, especially randomized
controlled trials and high quality cohort studies. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1680-6905 1729-0503 1680-6905 |
DOI: | 10.4314/ahs.v12i3.11 |