Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania
Mathew Bernard Mandawa, Gladys Reuben Mahiti School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Mathew Bernard Mandawa, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2022-11-01
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| Series: | HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care |
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| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/factors-contributing-to-loss-to-follow-up-from-hiv-care-among-men-livi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-HIV |
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| author | Mandawa MB Mahiti GR |
| author_facet | Mandawa MB Mahiti GR |
| author_sort | Mandawa MB |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Mathew Bernard Mandawa, Gladys Reuben Mahiti School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Mathew Bernard Mandawa, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Da-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255 654 452 445, Email mandawamat@gmail.comPurpose: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a global public health challenge and epidemic disease in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Retention in HIV care should be emphasized to reach”, 95-95-95” the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) target by 2030. In Tanzania, in spite of existing strategies to ensure retention, loss to follow-up (LTFU) among HIV-infected men is still a common challenge. With limited studies focusing on men’s population, little is known on their perspectives on factors contributing to LTFU. This study aimed to explore factors contributing to LTFU among men living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibaha district and to try to formulate strategies that work for men.Methods: The qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted among 16 men with experience in LTFU from three HIV care and treatment clinics located in the Kibaha district. Purposive sampling was used to select informants for semi-structured in-depth interviews from August to December, 2021. The collected data was analyzed thematically.Results: The findings were grouped into three themes which highlightedthe contribution of individual factors, socio-economic factors and health system factors. These factors include anticipated HIV-related stigma, lack of disclosure of their HIV status to their partners, poor knowledge on HIV care, unbearable antiretroviral (ART) medication side effects, sharing of ART medications with their partners, perceived good health status, financial difficulties, work-related travels, demanding employment schedules, spiritual belief in faith healing, poor conduct among healthcare workers and loss of Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) cards hindered their use of ART services at clinics.Conclusion: The findings from this study revealed linked multi-level factors that influence LTFU from HIV care among HIV-infected men. In order to retain men in HIV care, tailored intervention approaches should be formulated.Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, HIV care, loss to follow-up, LTFU, contributing factors, HIV |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:52:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cc7c53f3871e43a7b1239d1a357137b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1179-1373 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T21:52:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care |
| spelling | doaj.art-cc7c53f3871e43a7b1239d1a357137b62022-12-22T02:28:24ZengDove Medical PressHIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care1179-13732022-11-01Volume 1450351679557Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, TanzaniaMandawa MBMahiti GRMathew Bernard Mandawa, Gladys Reuben Mahiti School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, TanzaniaCorrespondence: Mathew Bernard Mandawa, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O Box 65001, Da-es-Salaam, Tanzania, Tel +255 654 452 445, Email mandawamat@gmail.comPurpose: Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) remains a global public health challenge and epidemic disease in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Retention in HIV care should be emphasized to reach”, 95-95-95” the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) target by 2030. In Tanzania, in spite of existing strategies to ensure retention, loss to follow-up (LTFU) among HIV-infected men is still a common challenge. With limited studies focusing on men’s population, little is known on their perspectives on factors contributing to LTFU. This study aimed to explore factors contributing to LTFU among men living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibaha district and to try to formulate strategies that work for men.Methods: The qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted among 16 men with experience in LTFU from three HIV care and treatment clinics located in the Kibaha district. Purposive sampling was used to select informants for semi-structured in-depth interviews from August to December, 2021. The collected data was analyzed thematically.Results: The findings were grouped into three themes which highlightedthe contribution of individual factors, socio-economic factors and health system factors. These factors include anticipated HIV-related stigma, lack of disclosure of their HIV status to their partners, poor knowledge on HIV care, unbearable antiretroviral (ART) medication side effects, sharing of ART medications with their partners, perceived good health status, financial difficulties, work-related travels, demanding employment schedules, spiritual belief in faith healing, poor conduct among healthcare workers and loss of Care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) cards hindered their use of ART services at clinics.Conclusion: The findings from this study revealed linked multi-level factors that influence LTFU from HIV care among HIV-infected men. In order to retain men in HIV care, tailored intervention approaches should be formulated.Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, HIV care, loss to follow-up, LTFU, contributing factors, HIVhttps://www.dovepress.com/factors-contributing-to-loss-to-follow-up-from-hiv-care-among-men-livi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-HIVhuman immunodeficiency virushiv care. loss to follow-upltfu. contributing factors. |
| spellingShingle | Mandawa MB Mahiti GR Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care human immunodeficiency virus hiv care. loss to follow-up ltfu. contributing factors. |
| title | Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania |
| title_full | Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania |
| title_fullStr | Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania |
| title_short | Factors Contributing to Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Care Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS in Kibaha District, Tanzania |
| title_sort | factors contributing to loss to follow up from hiv care among men living with hiv aids in kibaha district tanzania |
| topic | human immunodeficiency virus hiv care. loss to follow-up ltfu. contributing factors. |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/factors-contributing-to-loss-to-follow-up-from-hiv-care-among-men-livi-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-HIV |
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