Factors Influencing Uptake of HIV/AIDS Care and Support Services among HIV Infected Adults in Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: To attain long-term health, people living with HIV/AIDS need effective, trustworthy, prompt, and consistent access to HIV care and support services. However, recent reports in Baringo County, show that many patients under care are defaulting to treatment for unknown reasons. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the uptake and retention of HIV care services. Materials And

Methods: The study was conducted at comprehensive care centres in Baringo County. An analytic cross-sectional study design was used to examine the factors influencing the uptake of HIV/AIDS care and support services in HIV-infected adults. A total of 580 study participants were enrolled into the study. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect the data. Quantitative data was analyzed in SPSS version 27. Inferential statistics (Univariate and bivariate) analyses were conducted at a p<0.05 significance level. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed thematically.

Results: The age of participants ranged from 18 to 84 years, with a Mean age ± SD (Range) in years of 41.4 ± 15.0. The Uptake level was 50.7%. Factors enhancing uptake included higher than primary level education (OR:1.7), CD4><500/µL (p >< 0.03), partner or spouse support (39.1%), incentives (45.7%), and lower monthly income less than Ksh 10,000 (p < 0.0001). Factors that negatively impacted uptake were lack of knowledge of available services (p<0.001), a long distance from treatment facilities (p >< 0.0001), high travelling costs (72.3%), feeling ashamed of attending clinic (p< 0.0001), residing in rural areas (p < 0.001), and provider not being available, especially on weekends and holidays (43.7%).

Conclusions: The data presented here suggests that education above the primary level, low CD4 counts, a supportive spouse, incentives, and lower monthly income enhance the uptake of HIV care services. A lack of knowledge about available services, long distances from treatment facilities, high travel costs, the stigma of clinic attendance, residing in rural areas, and the unavailability of treatment providers reduced the uptake of HIV care and support services in Baringo County.