A Conceptual Model to Strengthen Integrated Management of HIV and NCDs among NIMART-Trained Nurses in Limpopo Province, South Africa
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
1. This is an important area and good to have this addressed
2. In the introduction - (WHO) estimates that 37 more than 75 % of people are living with HIV, furthermore, 71% of deaths are due to 38 NCDs. Please clarify the base, 75% of whom? 71% of deaths among all deaths?? Clarify
3. Findings of the literature review can go more into the domains of SPO. The focus seems to be on training of nurses.
4. Implementation of APC with clearly defined roles, tasks assigned, supportive supervision, updated and user friendly guidelines, availability of medicines and equipment, monitoring systems, etc are equally or even more important than knowledge enhancement. NCD is a broad set and having a focus on cervical cancer screening, management of hypertension and diabetes can be tracers. Model can be exemplified using one of these conditions.
5. Fig 3 is good, but can have more operational wording for APC rather than generic SPO terminologies.
6. On the whole an important paper in the right direction
7. Discussion can also call for development partners and national ministers to make management of NCDs as a comorbidity of HIV
Author Response
Please see attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Upon reading and reviewing this article authors conceptualized an integrated proposed model combining management of HIV and NCD in one province. Ideally would like to see the model being implemented in more provinces and perform analysis to evaluate if the model is successfull in implementing such strategies in different provinces. Entire article was focused on coming up with a model to improve care rather than seeing an improvement and way to measure the outcomes. Would like to see the study modified to include results in the paper to make it more appealing.
Author Response
Please see attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx