Perspectives of people living with HIV on barriers to timely ART initiation following referral for antiretroviral therapy: A qualitative study at an urban HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda.

ABSTRACT: Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) after HIV diagnosis prevents HIV transmission, progression of HIV to AIDS and improves quality of life. However, little is known about the barriers to timely ART initiation among patients who test HIV positive in settings different from where they will receive HIV treatment, hence are referred in the routine setting. Therefore, we explored the perspectives of people living with HIV on barriers faced to initiate ART following HIV testing and referral for treatment. In this qualitative study, we purposively sampled and enrolled 17 patients attending the Mulago ISS clinic. We selected patients (≥18 years) who previously were received as referrals for HIV treatment and had delayed ART initiation, as ascertained from their records. We conducted i

SUBMITTER: Kiyingi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10370709 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature