A framework for implementing integrated HIV and non-communicable disease care at primary health care facilities in southern Africa

Moyo-Chilufya, MaureenMgutshini, TennysonHongoro, CharlesMusekiwa, Alfred2025-10-092025-10-092025-07Moyo-Chilufya M, Mgutshini T, Hongoro C, Musekiwa A. A Framework for Implementing Integrated HIV and Non- Communicable Disease Care at Primary Health Care Facilities in Southern Africa. International Journal of Integrated Care, 2025; 25(3): 8, 1–9. DOI: https://doi. org/10.5334/ijic.8944.1568-4156 (online)10.5334/ijic.8944http://hdl.handle.net/2263/104677INTRODUCTION : Comorbidities of HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent, affecting up to 30% of individuals living with HIV/AIDS, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Conventional approaches that treat NCDs separately from HIV/AIDS care have been deemed inefficient, highlighting the need for integrated models. This study aims to develop a framework for integrating NCD care into HIV programs at primary healthcare facilities in Southern Africa. METHODS : As part of a broader study examining the burden, extent and cost of HIV/NCD integration we employed a modified ‘Best fit’ framework synthesis method. Thematic analysis was the primary method of analysis used to inform the framework. RESULTS : The study expanded on existing framework themes related to effective team-working, organizational leadership, patient-centered care, community/patient/provider partnerships. It introduced seven additional themes: country specific NCD prioritization, multi stakeholder partnerships, healthcare worker mental wellbeing, unified health information systems, with enhanced privacy, establishing costing databases for HIV/NCD integrated care, robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and opportunities for regional coordination. CONCLUSION : Improving existing frameworks for integrating HIV/NCD care is feasible by leveraging established HIV care platforms. These enhancements can support more efficient holistic healthcare delivery across primary healthcare facilities in Southern Africa.en© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).FrameworkHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)IntegratedNon-communicable diseases (NCDs)Primary healthcare (PHC)Southern AfricaA framework for implementing integrated HIV and non-communicable disease care at primary health care facilities in southern AfricaArticle