Faculty Collaboration Database

Willingness by people living with HIV/AIDS to utilize HIV services provided by Village Health team workers in Kalungu district, central Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2017 Mar;17(1):216-224

Date

10/14/2017

Pubmed ID

29026396

Pubmed Central ID

PMC5636263

DOI

10.4314/ahs.v17i1.27

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85019921320 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Less than one quarter of people in need have access to HIV services in Uganda. This study assessed willingness of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to utilize HIV services provided by Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Kalungu district, central Uganda.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in two health facilities providing anti-retroviral therapy enrolled 312 PLWHAs. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to participants at household level. A forward fitting logistic regression model computed the predictors of willingness of PLWHAs to utilize services provided by VHTs.

RESULTS: Overall, 49% were willing to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs increasing to 75.6% if the VHT member was HIV positive. PLWHAs who resided in urban areas were more likely to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs (AOR 0.24, 95%CI 0.06-0.87). Barriers to utilizing HIV services provided by VHTs were: income level > 40 USD (AOR 6.43 95%CI 1.19-34.68), being a business person (AOR 8.71 95%CI 1.23-61.72), peasant (AOR 7.95 95%CI 1.37-46.19), lack of encouragement from: peers (AOR 6.33 95%CI 1.43-28.09), spouses (AOR 4.93 95%CI 1.23-19.82) and community leader (AOR 9.67 95%CI 3.35-27.92).

CONCLUSION: Social support could improve willingness by PLWHAs to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs for increased access to HIV services by PLWHA.

Author List

Lubogo M, Anguzu R, Wanzira H, Namugwanya I, Namuddu O, Ssali D, Nanyonga S, Ssentongo J, Seeley J

Author

Ronald Anguzu MD, PhD Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Community Health Workers
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
HIV Infections
Health Facilities
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Uganda
Young Adult