Journal
AIDS CARE-PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-MEDICAL ASPECTS OF AIDS/HIV
Volume 25, Issue 7, Pages 843-853Publisher
ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2012.729808
Keywords
linkage to care; HIV; AIDS; qualitative methods; South Africa; stigma
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Funding
- NCRR NIH HHS [UL1 RR 025758, UL1 RR025758] Funding Source: Medline
- NIAID NIH HHS [P30 AI060354] Funding Source: Medline
- NIAMS NIH HHS [K24AR057827, K24 AR057827] Funding Source: Medline
- NIMH NIH HHS [R01 MH090326, R01 MH073445] Funding Source: Medline
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We collected qualitative data (semi-structured interviews with 11 healthcare providers and 10 patients; 8 focus groups with 41 patients) to identify barriers to linkage to care among people living with HIV in South Africa who were not yet taking antiretroviral treatment. Patients and providers identified HIV stigma as a sizable barrier. Patients felt that stigma-related issues were largely beyond their control, fearing discrimination if they disclosed to employers or were seen visiting clinics in their community. Providers believed that patients should take responsibility for overcoming internal stigma and disclosing serostatus. Patients had considerable concerns about inconvenient clinic hours, long queues, difficulty in appointment scheduling, and disrespect from staff. Providers seemed to minimize the effects of such barriers and not recognize the extent of patient dissatisfaction. Better communication and understanding between patients and providers are needed to facilitate greater patient satisfaction and retention in HIV care.
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