Challenges to HIV treatment among market vendors at St. Balikuddembe Health Centre

Abstract

This study aimed at examining challenges faced by market vendors seeking antiretroviral therapy at St. Balikudembe Health Centre Kampala Uganda. The objectives were: to examine the patient factors that affect market vendors on ART at St. Balikudembe health centre, to establish institutional factors that affect market vendors on ART at St. Balikudembe Health centre, to asses factors affecting adherence to ART at St. Balikudembe Health centre Kampala. A descriptive study design was used utilising both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The participants were systematically sampled from clients enrolled on ART on specific clinic visits at St. Balikudembe Health Care Kampala. Data was entered into the computer using Epidata version 3.1 software. It was then exported to STATA version 10 for analysis and backup information was got from key informants. The findings revealed that out of 103 participants enrolled into the study, a majority of participants (male 39.1% and 41.2% females) forgot to take ART due to the busy schedule. Many Participants (32.0%) missed ART due to heavily crowded clinic and most of the married participants (40.3%) missed ART probably due to domestic violence. Most of the factors that were assessed closely affected adherence however, a significant relationship between disclosure and busy schedule of participants was noted. For this to be addressed it was suggested that participants should disclose to their care takers and partners so that they are easily reminded to take their medication on time, The study therefore concluded that challenges faced by market vendors were associated to their busy schedule and individual daily struggles related to poverty which prevent them from easy accessibility to ART services due to lack of transport to the clinic. Attending to one service provider is significant in achieving good adherence which is also couple with other services brought to one service provider as reflected in this study.