Browsing by Author "Madengu, Gift"

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    Prevalence of oral candidiasis among HIV seropositive individuals attending Umodzi family centre lighthouse, QECH in Blantyre, Malawi(Version2)
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-08-11) Mlongoti, Lukerencia; Madengu, Gift
    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.