[Evaluation of Chiapas’ HIV/AIDS information system of epidemiological surveillance]

BACKGROUND

The functionality and performance of a health information system should be evaluated from the perspective of those who develop its processes. Considering the above, this study evaluated the performance of the HIV/AIDS Epidemiological Surveillance System (SIVE VIH/SIDA, according to its initials in Spanish) in Chiapas, Mexico.

METHODS

Qualitative study on the performance, structure and dynamics of SIVE VIH/SIDA, based on interviews with the personnel participating in this surveillance system, using the Updated Guidelines for the Evaluation of Public Health Surveillance Systems. The analysis was performed through the cyclic interactive method of content analysis, from which the evaluation indices were constructed.

RESULTS

A total of 32 interviews were conducted. The structure was described as well defined, at the expense of organizational dimensions, procedures and material resources. The dynamics of information, from the perspective of the collection, processing and use of information, was rated as regular. The performance of the SIVE HIV/AIDS in Chiapas was regular at the expense of these attributes of the information system: simplicity, flexibility, quality of data, acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, timeliness and stability.

CONCLUSIONS

In order to improve the performance of SIVE VIH/SIDA, it is necessary to strengthen the human resources and use of information dimensions, so that it can be an instrument for action.

Electrolyte imbalance and sleep problems during anti-retroviral therapy: an under-recognized problem

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and the anti-retroviral therapy (ART) associated complications necessitate that the medical care system keeps evolving for proper management of this group of patients. Electrolyte imbalance and sleep problems are common in patients on ART. Both of these conditions are associated with increased morbidity (such as acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, low CD4 count, non-adherence and depression) and mortality. Therefore, screening for both sleep problems and electrolytes imbalance may help to decrease the risk of complications in patients on ART.