The DREAM model's effectiveness in health promotion of AIDS patients in Africa

• Published in: Health promotion international Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 6 - 15
• Main Authors: Magnano San Lio, M., Mancinelli, S., Palombi, L., Buonomo, E., Altan, A. Doro, Germano, P., Magid, N.A., Pesaresi, A., Renzi, E., Scarcella, P., Zimba, I., Marazzi, M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford University Press 01-03-2009; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - diagnosis; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - drug therapy; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology; Adherence; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS; AIDS prevention; Antiretroviral therapy; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active - utilization; Community Health Planning; Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; Directive Counseling; Female; HAART; Health Education - methods; Health Education - organization & administration; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health promotion; Health Promotion - methods; Health Promotion - organization & administration; Holistic Health; Home Care Services; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Models, Organizational; Mozambique; ORIGINAL PAPERS; Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data; Preventive programmes; Program Evaluation; Prospective Studies; Young Adult; Mozambique; Africa; health promotion; adherence; AIDS prevention; HAART
• ISSN: 0957-4824; 1460-2245
• DOI: 10.1093/heapro/dan043

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a holistic model for treating people living with AIDS in Africa; the model aims to improve knowledge about AIDS prevention and care, increase trust in the health centre, impact behaviour, and promote a high level of adherence to HAART. The study took place in the context of the DREAM (Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition) programme in Mozambique, designed by the Community of Sant'Egidio to treat HIV patients in Africa. It provides patients with free anti-retroviral drugs, laboratory tests (including viral load), home care and nutritional support. This is a prospective study involving 531 patients over a 12-month period. The patients, predominantly poor and with a low level of education, demonstrated a good level of knowledge about AIDS (more than 90% know how it is transmitted) and trust in the treatment, with a relatively small percentage turning to traditional healers. Overall the patients had a low level of engaging in risky sexual behaviour and a very good level of adherence to HAART (69.5% of the 531 subjects had a pill count higher than 95%). The positive results of the programme's educational initiatives were confirmed with the patients' good clinical results.