The Factors Affecting Retention In Care Of Patients On Antiretroviral Treatment In Bushenyi District; A Case Study Of Hiv Clinic Kampala International University, Teaching Hospital

Table of Contents

Declaration ..................................................................................................................................................... i

Approval ...................................................................................................................................................... iii

Dedication .................................................................................................................................................... iv

Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................................................ v

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................... vi

Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ ix

CHAPTER ONE ........................................................................................................................................... 1

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Problem Statement .............................................................................................................................. 3

1.3 Purpose of the study ............................................................................................................................ 3

1.4 Objective of the study ......................................................................................................................... 3

1.5 Research questions .............................................................................................................................. 4

1.6 Significance of the study ..................................................................................................................... 4

1.6 Study scope ....................................................................................................................................... 4

1.6.1 Geographical scope ...................................................................................................................... 4

1.6.2 Content scope ............................................................................................................................. 4

1.6.3 Time scope ................................................................................................................................. 4

1.7. Conceptual frame work ...................................................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................................... 6

LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.0 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2.1 The economic factors affecting retention in care of patients on antiretroviral treatment ................... 6

2.2 The social factors affecting retention in care of patients on antiretroviral treatment .......................... 7

2.3 The health system factors affecting retention in care of patients on antiretroviral treatment ............. 8

CHAPTER THREE .................................................................................................................................... 10

METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................................... 10

3.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Study design ...................................................................................................................................... 10

3.2 Study population ...............................................................................................................................

Abstract

The study was to assess the factors affecting retention in care of patients on antiretroviral

treatment in Bushenyi District using KIU-TH as the case study. The study was guided by three

objectives i.e. to find out the economic factors affecting retention in care of patients on

antiretroviral treatment in KIU-TH, to assess the social factors affecting retention in care of

patients on antiretroviral treatment in KIU-TH and to examine the health system factors affecting

retention in care of patients on antiretroviral treatment in KIU-TH. A cross-sectional research

design was used for this study; the researcher studied 112 respondents, simple random sampling

technique was used to select patients/clients and purposive sampling was used to select health

workers because they had prior knowledge on the topic; Questionnaires to collect data from the

clients and interview guides to collect data from the health workers. Data was also analyzed

using Excel and SPSS version 16.0 i.e. bivariate analysis was performed using chi-square and pvalue

and graphs that aided in discussion of the findings.

The study found out that the retention of KIU-TH HIV clinic was 68% in February 2019; the

factors that affected patient retention in care were particularly long distance to ART center, cost

of transportation and high patient load with long waiting times at the clinic represented the

greatest barrier to accessing treatment, excessive drinking of some patients, HIV related- stigma

and non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners and families are significant barriers and

shortage of health personnel. However, if the needs of patients are to be met, systems in health

facilities need to be strengthened to reduce loss to follow up, increase adherence and promote

long term retention.

From the study findings, the researcher recommended that patients need to be continually

encouraged to take treatment at their nearest treatment center. He also suggested that health care

providers including adherence support workers should take an active role in the fight against

stigma. Strategies that can encourage patients to improve on disclosure of HIV status should be

developed. The researcher recommended that different appointments should be given to the patients to minimize the health personals workloads.