Factors associated with intention to enrol into the HIV treatment programme in and around Lobatse, Botswana
Date
2014-04-10
Authors
Taylor, Tonye Benson
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Abstract
Botswana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world, with 32% of
pregnant women and 24% of adults in the general population living with HIV. Although
antiretroviral therapy (ART) or HIV/AIDS treatment is widely available in the public sector in
Botswana, not all treatment-eligible patients utilise the services in a timely manner. The study
aims to identify the factors associated with the intention of already screened HIV positive/AIDS
patients, who met the government criteria, to enrol into the HIV treatment programme in
Lobatse, Botswana.
Methods: A Cross-sectional descriptive study was used, conducted at the Infectious Disease
Control Clinic, Athlone Hospital, Lobatse over a 6-month period. A questionnaire was
administered on systematically sampled participants, who met Botswana National antiretroviral
treatment or HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines.
Results: A total of 342 participants were enrolled, mostly female (67.3%) and single (50%).
Majority of the participants were age 35-44 years (17%), attained up to primary level education
(44%) and were mostly unemployed (54%). A majority (59%) intended to enroll into ART or
HIV/AIDS treatment programme due to sickness, while others were motivated by voluntary
testing and counseling (24%). The majority of the respondents received post-test counseling
(97.3%) and most was motivated to seek ART or HIV/AIDS treatment (88.3%). Only (60%)
disclosed their status to their relative. Although most participants (59.6%) were willing to be
linked to care and support, most (65.1%) were ignorant of support groups and services available
for them.
Discussion: Although there is increasing access to ART or HIV/AIDS treatment, most
participants still wait until they are sick or have symptoms before they enroll into ART.
Supportive post-test counseling and conducive family environment were some of the enabling
factors. Distance to health facilities and long queues are barriers to accessing care as well as
stigma and discrimination. The most significant reasons for not continuing with the treatment
were health facilities being far from place of residence and queuing for a long time to see a
doctor and or collect medications.
Conclusion: Sickness, public education, supportive family environment and effective post-test
counseling were found to be significant motivators for intention to enroll into ART. Perceived
barriers to accessing treatment include distance and time spent in the health facilities.
Interventions are required to reduce stigma, bring health facilities nearer to the people, and
increase efficiency in health facilities and increase access and utilization of the care and support
groups.
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Family Medicine, October 2013