Factors Associated With Initiation Into Antiretroviral Therapy Care Among People Living With Hiv Attending Entebbe General Hospital

Abstract

Background: Most people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa are initiated to antiretroviral therapy with advanced stage HIV infection. Despite the fact that timely initiation to ART is a critical milestone in achieving full potential of HIV treatment scale-up, there are various bottlenecks associated with initiation to ART among PLWHA. It was therefore paramount to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices associated with pain assessment among nurses. Methods: The study was carried out at the ART clinic of Entebbe General Hospital, 384 participants took part in the study, these were selected using simple random sampling technique. The study utilized a cross-sectional study design and a self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants. Data was analyzed using SPSS and presented inform of frequency and contingency tables. Results: Data was collected was collected among 384 respondents. Individual factors such as age, marital status, level of education, ever heard about antiretroviral therapy/drugs before enrollment to ART, source of information about ART and health of the PLWHA (P<0.05). With regards to health facility factors associate with initiation to ART, distance to the health facility, publicizing ART services by the facility, friendly health care providers, perceived knowledge of HCWs on ART treatment by PLWHA, Perceived confidentiality of medical records of PLWHA and the attitude of Health care providers towards PLWHA at the facility. Psychosocial factors associated with Initiation to ART among PLWHA included receiving psychosocial support in the past one month, who gives the social support, use of alcohol or other drugs, and stigma from the society (P<0.05). Conclusion and recommendation: Programmatic initiatives promoting targeted support to extension of ART services closer to PLWHA and earlier diagnosis, engagement of clients in ART initiation may facilitate earlier ART initiation.