Stumbling Blocks at the Clinic: Experiences of Seeking HIV Treatment and Care in South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Prompt antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation maximises the therapeutic and prevention benefits of a treat-all strategy for HIV therapy. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews with men and women 18 years and older (N = 41), who were highly motivated and seeking treatment, this study examined salient factors that were associated with delays in treatment access and initiation. Results revealed clinic-related barriers including an onerous, inefficient multi-step process to initiate ART. Participants experienced additional delays due to difficulties accessing care (e.g., being turned away from clinics and referred elsewhere) and health service challenges. Health service challenges included difficulty securing appointments, administrative mistakes (especially lost clinic folders and test re

SUBMITTER: Maughan-Brown B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5815960 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature