A Framework for Implementing Integrated HIV and Non-Communicable Disease Care at Primary Health Care Facilities in Southern Africa

Introduction: Comorbidities of HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent, affecting up to 30% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional approaches that treat NCDs separately from HIV/AIDS care have been deemed inefficient, hi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Maureen Moyo-Chilufya, Tennyson Mgutshini, Charles Hongoro, Alfred Musekiwa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ubiquity Press 2025-07-01
Series:International Journal of Integrated Care
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Online Access:https://account.ijic.org/index.php/up-j-ijic/article/view/8944
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Summary:Introduction: Comorbidities of HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent, affecting up to 30% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional approaches that treat NCDs separately from HIV/AIDS care have been deemed inefficient, highlighting the need for integrated models. This study aims to develop a framework for integrating NCD care into HIV programs at primary healthcare facilities in Southern Africa. Methods: As part of a broader study examining the burden, extent and cost of HIV/NCD integration we employed a modified ‘Best fit’ framework synthesis method. Thematic analysis was the primary method of analysis used to inform the framework. Results: The study expanded on existing framework themes related to effective team-working, organizational leadership, patient-centered care, community/patient/provider partnerships. It introduced seven additional themes: country specific NCD prioritization, multi stakeholder partnerships, healthcare worker mental wellbeing, unified health information systems, with enhanced privacy, establishing costing databases for HIV/NCD integrated care, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and opportunities for regional coordination. Conclusion: Improving existing frameworks for integrating HIV/NCD care is feasible by leveraging established HIV care platforms. These enhancements can support more efficient holistic healthcare delivery across primary healthcare facilities in Southern Africa.
ISSN:1568-4156