• Login
    View Item 
    •   NM-AIST Home
    • Life sciences and Bio-engineering
    • Research Articles [LISBE]
    • View Item
    •   NM-AIST Home
    • Life sciences and Bio-engineering
    • Research Articles [LISBE]
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Factors Contributing to Retention in Care and Treatment Adherence Among People Living With HIV Returning to Care in South-Eastern Tanzania: A Qualitative Study

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    Full text (2.729Mb)
    Date
    2025-02-04
    Author
    Matimbwa, Hassan
    Lolo, Sarah
    Matoy, Leila
    Ndaki, Regina
    Ngahyoma, Suzan
    Mollel, Henry
    Luoga, Ezekiel
    Vanobberghen, Fiona
    Vianney, John-Mary
    Idindili, Boniphance
    Weisser, Maja
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Background People living with HIV (PLHIV) with good adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) achieve good health outcomes. However, treatment interruptions remain a major challenge, particularly in rural Africa. This study explored factors related to dropout, return, retention in care, and treatment adherence among PLHIV returning to care after missing clinical visits. Methods We conducted an exploratory study using a phenomenological approach in rural South-eastern Tanzania, from July to October 2023. In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 21 PLHIV who resumed care after missing visits for three months or more from the last scheduled appointment and who were taking ART less than 60 days within the last three months, and their 13 treatment supporters. Interviews were conducted at St. Francis Regional Referral Hospital and Kibaoni Health Center.Five focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 6–8 healthcare workers from Kibaoni, Mang’ula, Mkamba, Mgeta Health Center, and St. Francis Hospital. Data were analyzed by thematic analysis, with NVivo 12 software. Results The median age of the 21 PLHIV was 40 years (range 21 to 63); 10 (47.6%) were females. Reasons for dropping out of care reported included fear of disclosure, complacency with improved health, denial of HIV status, work-related absence, and religious beliefs. Reasons for returning included health deterioration, completion of work obligations causing care interruption, family support, and clinic follow up. Factors promoting retention and adherence were improved health through ART, trust in healthcare services, counseling, health education, clinic follow-up, longer drug refill periods, and family support. Conclusion Our study highlights persisting stigmatization contributing to dropping from care, with strong family and social support improving adherence and clinic attendance. Future interventions should focus on these factors to enhance retention of lifelong treatment adherence. Working obligations remain a challenge, that could be addressed by facilitated access to remote drug pickup.
    URI
    https://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/3017
    Collections
    • Research Articles [LISBE]

    Nelson Mandela-AIST copyright © 2021  DuraSpace
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All PublicationsCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Nelson Mandela-AIST copyright © 2021  DuraSpace
    Theme by 
    Atmire NV