Prevalence of oral candidiasis among HIV seropositive individuals attending Umodzi family centre lighthouse, QECH in Blantyre, Malawi(Version2)
Loading...
Date
2021-08-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of research study and study design: This will be a Cross-sectional descriptive study whereby study participants will be
followed at a specific point in time and this will help to determine the prevalence oral
candidiasis. Cross sectional studies are relatively inexpensive and can be conducted
over a short period of time, results can be easily generalized
(if sample is randomly
selected), good for diseases with long duration and low case fatality rate as in cases in
HIV/AIDS patients and may simultaneously investigate several exposure/outcome
relationships.
Problem to be studied: The main objective of this descriptive cross-sectional study is to determine the
prevalence of oral candidiasis, identify the various candida species and investigate
these species susceptibility patterns in HIV seropositive individuals attending
Lighthouse at QECH, Blantyre Malawi. Knowing prevalence of oral candidiasis and its
susceptibility patterns in HIV patients; would help in proper treatment and management
as nurses, doctors and even patients’ attendants get aware of both nature of oral
candidiasis and its significance when detected hence helping patients to cope with
unpleasant symptoms of oral candidiasis.
Following studies that have been done in Malawi concerning oral candidiasis, they do
not provide enough data relating to HIV positive individuals. Therefore, this study will
serve as baseline information on candida species associated with HIV seropositive
patients for future reference as would help to increase the awareness of clinicians in
diagnosis and early treatment of these infections. Treatment of opportunistic infections
is key to successful ART program and in mitigating the impact of HIV/AIDS in resource
constraint settings. Furthermore, knowledge about the prevalence of oral candidiasis to
HIV patients will be important for informed healthcare planning and resource allocation,
the way the providers treat the admitted patients and administration of antifungals as
formulated above. Objectives. Broad objectives: To determine the prevalence of oral candidiasis and its susceptibility patterns in
HIV seropositive individuals at UFC Lighthouse in Blantyre, Malawi
Specific objectives:
1 . To identify the most isolated candida species among HIV patients with oral
lesions.
2. To determine the candida species resistant to some selected antifungal drugs
3. To explain the correlation between candida colonization and Antiretroviral
Therapy (ART).
METHODOLOGY
STUDY PLACE
Samples will be collected from HIV positive individuals at QECH Umodzi Family Centre
Lighthouse clinic in Blantyre since this institution provides health care services related
to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS and also takes a role in
monitoring Antiretroviral Therapy. The swabs will then be taken for processing at COM
Microbiology laboratory.
STUDY POPULATION
This will cover a total of 66 HIV seropositive individuals with oral lesions and attending
QECH Lighthouse, Blantyre Malawi. These individuals will be those on different
Antiretroviral Therapy stages and on different stages of HIV infection. All individuals
greater than 18 years of age and also those on antifungal drugs will be included in the
study. EXPECTED FINDINGS
Based on study outcomes done in some African countries, it is estimated that about 80
to 90 percent of people with HIV infection will in their lives experience thrush in their
mouth or throat and is most often caused by fungus in the genus Candida. Therefore,
we expect even higher percentages of oral candidiasis among HIV seropositive patients
with oral lesions at QECH Lighthouse.
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE