Factors Influencing the Utilisation of Paediatric HIV Services by HIV Positive Mothers in Kampala District :

Abstract

Background: While adult utilisation of HIV services is increasing in Uganda, the utilisation of similar services by children is still lagging behind. It is reported that only 3 out of 10 HIV positive children in Uganda are able to receive the HIV care services they need to survive childhood. This study examined factors influencing the utilisation of paediatric HIV services by known HIV positive mothers at Kamwokya Christian Caring Community (KCCC) to be able to facilitate the designing of appropriate and effective interventions that will facilitate the scale up of paediatric HIV service utilization at KCCC and Kampala district at large. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 320 HIV positive mothers aged 15 years and above accessing HIV services at KCCC. Semi structured questionnaires and a focused interview guide were used to collect data after obtaining written consent. Data was entered and analyzed in Epi data and SPSS soft ware. Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate analysis was done to identify factors influencing the utilisation of Paediatric HIV services by the HIV positive mothers. Results: At bivariate analysis, the study revealed the following factors having a significant relationship with utilization of paediatric HIV services by the HIV positive mothers; Marital status, duration in marriage, Knowledge of signs and symptoms of HIV in children, awareness about availability of free HIV services for children, disclosure of child’s HIV status, discrimination by family members and power relations in a home. Further analysis at multivariate level identified only the awareness about the availability of free HIV services for children as the single factor independently predicting utilisation of paediatric HIV services by the HIV positive mothers OR 11.95 95% (2.38-50.46). Conclusion: Continued sensitization of parents about availability of free HIV services for children together with deliberate efforts to link mothers to HIV service points for children are essential measures in scaling up utilisation of HIV services for children in Uganda