Assessing The Barriers And Facilitators Of HIV And AIDS Service Integration Into Routine Services At Health Centres In Central Region
Date
2022-07
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Publisher
University Of Ghana
Abstract
Introduction: The World Health Organization has mandated that all services to HIV and AIDS clients should be decentralized to achieve the 90-90-90 global policy. In Ghana, HIV and AIDS patients are expected to receive services at the primary level to achieve the 90-90-90 targets. However, there seem to be some perceived challenges associated with integration and provision of HIV and AIDS services at the lower levels. This study therefore, seeks to assess the barriers and facilitators to integration of HIV and AIDS services into routine services at the health Centres in the central region of Ghana.
Methods: The study design was a case study employing mainly a qualitative approach to gather and analyse the data. The study utilised the purposive sampling to select 50 health workers trained to offer HIV and AIDS services at 10 health Centres in the Central region. The selected health workers were interviewed through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Interviews focused on issues including number of people screened, number of viral load cases, challenges to offering services and facilitators to services offered. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data was analysed using thematic analysis following the study’s objectives.
Results: The study showed that from October 2018 to June 2021, about 12,250 clients have been screened at the 10 health Centres. Between 22 and 32 clients were under treatment per facility. Some challenges health workers experienced were delayed or no report from samples sent for viral load information, lack of space, logistics, stigma by colleagues, staff attrition. Few facilitators included the skills obtained through training to offer services, improved client condition, increased OPD attendance based on information of HIV and AIDS services offered at the Health Centers and facilities supporting HIV and AIDS services through IGF.
Conclusion: Integration of HIV and AIDS services into routine services at Health Centres poses diverse challenges that should be addressed should the 90-90-90 be achieved, particularly in the Central Region. In-house and external training should be continuous to meet client demand.
Key words: HIV/AIDS services, integration, barriers and Facilitators, Health Centers, Central Region, Ghana
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Keywords
HIV/AIDS services, Integration, Barriers, Health Centers, Central Region, Ghana