06 Mar 2019

Acting District Health Management Team (DHMT) coordinator for Palapye Administration Authority (PAA), Dr Calistus Gobotswang says the Botswana HIV/AIDS impact survey (BIAS V) and TB prevalence survey 2018/19 is due to commence end of March. 

Dr Gobotswang, who was addressing PAA recently, said the survey would be conducted under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with Botswana National TB Programme, National AIDS Coordinating Agency, National Health Laboratory as well as National Statistic Office including stakeholders in the national HIV/AIDS and TB campaign. 

Dr Gobotswang said the survey was a follow-up of the 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2013 BAIS surveys.

He said the purpose of the survey on HIV was to examine and estimate the national HIV prevalence and incidence among individuals. He also said the survey would look at suppressed HIV viral load among HIV-infected people on treatment.

He noted that the research would assess the coverage and impact of HIV services at population level and to assess HIV-related risk behaviours.

In regard to TB, he said the survey would estimate the national prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB among individuals aged 15 years and above, and to assess health related symptoms of the individuals. He said in Palapye the survey would cover DHMT site enumeration areas which were seven.

He said during the exercise residents in selected households, as well as usual members or a visitor who spent the night in the household prior to start of enumeration, would be included in the exercise.

Dr Gobotswang urged councillors to inform residents to cooperate with those conducting the surveys in their respective areas during the exercise. He added that a community mobilisation and awareness campaign would take place to ensure that the public was aware of the project and understand the survey’ objectives. 

He added that DHMT and the district administration office would form communication teams that would sensitise communities about the survey and to encourage them to participate.

Dr Gobotswang said the survey was expected to start  on March 30, and that it would be officially launched in Gaborone. He said survey teams would be deployed to different areas between March 25 and 30. He also said the research project was expected to take six months. ENDS