title: Level of understanding of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected, recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis suspects at a national referral tuberculosis clinic in Kampala, Uganda: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Co-trimoxazole use is the standard of care for preventing Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in sub-Saharan Africa but implementation remains slow. Co-trimoxazole is self- administered with uncertain adherence. Knowledge of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected persons is unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of co-trimoxazole use among HIV infected adults evaluated for recurrent PTB in Kampala, Uganda.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study utilizing 5 focus group discussions among 30 HIV infected PTB suspects at the national referral tuberculosis treatment centre in Kampala.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males and females had similar median ages. 80% were currently on co-trimoxazole and 50% of participants were on HAART. Majority of participants defined co-trimoxazole as an analgesic. Few noted co-trimoxazole was a drug to treat cough and chest pain. However, few responses revealed that co-trimoxazole prevents opportunistic diseases among PLHIV. Most of participants believed HAART and anti-TB drugs work as co-trimoxazole thus it should not be taken together with them. This belief may lead to increased risk of opportunistic infections, morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We revealed gaps in understanding of co-trimoxazole use among study participants. We therefore recommend that more facts about co-trimoxazle as prophylaxis against P. jirovecii, bacterial and diarrheal pathogens should be incorporated in VCT fact sheets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences Makerere University, Kampala.
authors.forename: Alphonse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Okwera
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University Kampala.
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Mafigiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guwatudde
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whalen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Makerere University Kampala.
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Joloba
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012008:Recurrence; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014454:Uganda
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
keywords: Adherence; Chemoprophylaxis; Co-trimoxazole use; HIV; Recurrent tuberculosis
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