Knowledge and perceptions about non-communicable diseases by people living with HIV: a descriptive cross-sectional study from Chitungwiza Central Hospital Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has shown a rise in morbidity and mortality due to NCDs. PLHIV have shown to be more exposed to NCDs and identifying the knowledge gaps might help the management of NCDs in PLHIV.
 Objective: The study was conducted in order to determine knowledge and perceptions regarding NCDs in PLHIV from Chitungwiza Hospital.
 Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey on 324 participants from Chitungwiza Hospital. Data collection was through a designed questionnaire. Knowledge and perceptions were evaluated, and the associated risk factors were identified using the Logistic Regression Model.
 Results: Results showed a 65% level of knowledge and 80% positive perceptions on NCDs. Participants <40 years of age were more knowledgeable (p=0.003) and history of NCD in the family influenced positively on knowledge (p=0.001). Females showed a more positive perception (p=0.043), both increasing age and low education negatively impacted the perceptions (p<0.001) as well as the knowledge (p=0.020).
 Conclusion: Knowledge and perception were moderately high, but reduced with decreasing levels of education and increasing age. The study recommends educational campaigns to disseminate information about NCDs in PLHIV, targeting the least educated population groups and those older than 40 years of age.
 Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs); HIV; Knowledge; Perceptions.

Perceived risk for hypertension and associated factors among adult persons living with HIV in Kamuli district, Uganda

“…People with a formal education may have higher knowledge about HTN and thus adopt and maintain its preventive measures and may perceive being at low risk. Relatedly, among people living with HIV in Chitungwiza Hospital Zimbabwe, having low education level (primary or less) was associated with negative perception about NCD management compared to those with higher education (P<0.01) [26]. On the otherhand, a study by Cioe et al [27] found that knowledge of HTN risk factors did not predict perceived risk for HTN among PLHIV in Rhode Island Hospital -USA (p>0.05).…”

Editorial: Non-communicable diseases; sexual reproductive issues; infectious diseases and health systems challenges

“…This includes papers on cancer [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] ; diabetes mellitus [13][14][15][16] ; surgery [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] ; other non-communicable diseases [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33] , as well as sexual reproductive health [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] . The menu continues with HIV / AIDS papers [47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] . This is appropriate because 1 st December is World AIDS Day and countries in Sub Saharan Africa have little to celebrate as new infections and needless deaths continue in the face of global and local financial challenges.…”