The Influence of HIV/AIDS Care and Support Services Accessibility on Utilization among HIV Infected Adults in Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Context: Globally, efforts are being made to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and improve the general health of people living with HIV/AIDS through continuous access to care and support services. However, the incidence of dropouts from utilization of HIV care and support services is rising among the HIV-positive clients enrolled in comprehensive care clinics in Baringo County for unidentified reasons. As a result, recognizing the opportunities and challenges in low-resourced communities that must be overcome to promote greater access to care and treatment will influence higher utilization.

Aim: This study evaluates the influence of accessibility of HIV/AIDS care and support services on the utilization of HIV-infected adults in Baringo County.

Methods: The study was conducted in Baringo County HIV comprehensive care centers. An analytical cross-sectional study design was used with 580 participants recruited. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data.

Results: Support from social services (p<0.0001), less frequent visits to clinics less than one month (p<0.0001), access to treatment interventions (p<0.0001), and easily accessible information (p <0.0001) were among the factors associated with good accessibility to HIV services, according to bivariate analysis. Conversely, being an atheist (p<0.006), residing in rural areas (p ≤0.0006), difficulty accessing services (p≤0.0001), and getting to another town (p < 0.03) or getting to another county (p ≤0.0004) were linked to inadequate access to HIV/AIDS care and support services.

Conclusion: The findings show that the efforts to support clients' access to HIV/AIDS care and support services should be made in response to their individual needs and consideration of geographical location. Besides, individualized HIV/AIDS services access depends on the support provided, where they are located, easily accessible information about the services, and how frequently they are provided. In contrast, living in rural areas, seeking services in a different town, feeling ashamed to visit clinics, and having a lower CD4 count were all associated with poor accessibility and utilization of HIV/AIDS care and support services. Consequently, it is necessary to establish support initiatives to address any of these access issues that particular clients might have.