Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda
Abstract Background Investigations conducted among healthcare providers to assess their knowledge and perceptions towards the integration of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) related services in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study explored the knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare provi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09388-6 |
| _version_ | 1797836536606097408 |
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| author | Sean Steven Puleh Emmanuel Asher Ikwara Syliviah Namutebi Lakeri Nakero Godfrey Mwesiga Rogers Isabirye Joy Acen Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho |
| author_facet | Sean Steven Puleh Emmanuel Asher Ikwara Syliviah Namutebi Lakeri Nakero Godfrey Mwesiga Rogers Isabirye Joy Acen Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho |
| author_sort | Sean Steven Puleh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Investigations conducted among healthcare providers to assess their knowledge and perceptions towards the integration of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) related services in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study explored the knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards the integration of ART management services at departmental levels in health facilities in Lira district. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey that employed qualitative methods of data collection in four selected health facilities in Lira district between January and February 2022. The study involved in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The study population consisted exclusively of primary healthcare providers; however, those who were not full-time employees of the participating health facilities were excluded. We used thematic content analysis. Results A significant proportion of staff (especially those who are not directly involved in ART) still lack full knowledge of ART services integration. There was generally a positive perception, with some suggesting ART integration can minimize stigma and discrimination. The potential barriers to integration included limited knowledge and skills for providing comprehensive ART services, insufficient staffing and space, funding gaps, and inadequate drug supplies, coupled with increased workload due to enlarged clientele. Conclusion Whereas healthcare workers are generally knowledgeable about ART integration, but their knowledge was limited to partial integration. The participants had a basic understanding of ART services being provided by different health facilities. Furthermore, participants viewed integration as critical, but it should be implemented in conjunction with ART management training. Given that respondents reported a lack of infrastructure, increased workload, and understaffing, additional investments in staff recruitment, motivation through training and incentives, and other means are needed if ART integration is to be implemented. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:10:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3a13f10c6303414584ec1894ff8f8754 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T15:10:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-3a13f10c6303414584ec1894ff8f87542023-04-30T11:11:28ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-04-0123111010.1186/s12913-023-09388-6Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, UgandaSean Steven Puleh0Emmanuel Asher Ikwara1Syliviah Namutebi2Lakeri Nakero3Godfrey Mwesiga4Rogers Isabirye5Joy Acen6Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho7Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Lira UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Lira UniversityDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Lira UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lira UniversityDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lira University, Lira UniversityDepartment of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lira University, Lira UniversityDepartment of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira UniversityAbstract Background Investigations conducted among healthcare providers to assess their knowledge and perceptions towards the integration of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) related services in Sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study explored the knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards the integration of ART management services at departmental levels in health facilities in Lira district. Methods We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey that employed qualitative methods of data collection in four selected health facilities in Lira district between January and February 2022. The study involved in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions. The study population consisted exclusively of primary healthcare providers; however, those who were not full-time employees of the participating health facilities were excluded. We used thematic content analysis. Results A significant proportion of staff (especially those who are not directly involved in ART) still lack full knowledge of ART services integration. There was generally a positive perception, with some suggesting ART integration can minimize stigma and discrimination. The potential barriers to integration included limited knowledge and skills for providing comprehensive ART services, insufficient staffing and space, funding gaps, and inadequate drug supplies, coupled with increased workload due to enlarged clientele. Conclusion Whereas healthcare workers are generally knowledgeable about ART integration, but their knowledge was limited to partial integration. The participants had a basic understanding of ART services being provided by different health facilities. Furthermore, participants viewed integration as critical, but it should be implemented in conjunction with ART management training. Given that respondents reported a lack of infrastructure, increased workload, and understaffing, additional investments in staff recruitment, motivation through training and incentives, and other means are needed if ART integration is to be implemented.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09388-6ART servicesReadinessIntegrationDepartmentsHealth facilities |
| spellingShingle | Sean Steven Puleh Emmanuel Asher Ikwara Syliviah Namutebi Lakeri Nakero Godfrey Mwesiga Rogers Isabirye Joy Acen Maxson Kenneth Anyolitho Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda BMC Health Services Research ART services Readiness Integration Departments Health facilities |
| title | Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda |
| title_full | Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda |
| title_short | Knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) services at departmental levels at selected health facilities Lira district, Uganda |
| title_sort | knowledge and perceptions of primary healthcare providers towards integration of antiretroviral therapy art services at departmental levels at selected health facilities lira district uganda |
| topic | ART services Readiness Integration Departments Health facilities |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09388-6 |
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