Factors Influencing the Status of Adherence to Second Clinic Visit Among Clients Newly Diagnosed with HIV in Northern Uganda: A Mixed-Methods Study

Mary Gorreth Nakate; Bernard Omech; Catherine Kwagala; Irene Gimbo; Augustine Bulitya; Julius Kyeswa; Enoch Katwere; Amir Kabunga; Samson Udho

doi:10.2147/HIV.S405492

Factors Influencing the Status of Adherence to Second Clinic Visit Among Clients Newly Diagnosed with HIV in Northern Uganda: A Mixed-Methods Study

HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2023 Apr 1:15:135-143. doi: 10.2147/HIV.S405492. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mary Gorreth Nakate¹, Bernard Omech¹, Catherine Kwagala¹, Irene Gimbo¹, Augustine Bulitya², Julius Kyeswa², Enoch Katwere³, Amir Kabunga³, Samson Udho²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.
² Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.
³ Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Lira University, Lira, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: The "test-and-treat" policy may adversely affect adherence to clinic visits of clients newly diagnosed with HIV due to unpreparedness to commence treatment. However, few studies have examined the factors influencing the status of adherence to second clinic visit among clients newly diagnosed with HIV. We examined the factors influencing the status of adherence to second clinic visit among clients newly diagnosed with HIV in Apac District, northern Uganda.

Methods: This was a mixed-methods study conducted among 292 systematically sampled clients newly diagnosed with HIV for the survey and 15 purposively sampled clients for the in-depth interview from July to August 2020. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected using an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively while qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

Results: The mean age of the study participants were 39.5±11 years and their age ranged from 18 to 72 years. Close to three-quarters of study participants adhered to their second clinic visit 74% (214/292). Factors that influenced participants' adherence to the second clinic visit were the adequate HIV pre/post-test counseling positive attitude of clients towards HIV-positive diagnosis, family support, and long waiting time.

Conclusion: More than two-thirds of clients newly diagnosed with HIV in Apac District, northern Uganda adhered to their second clinic visit. HIV/AIDS service providers should strengthen HIV pre/post-test counselling, social support systems for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and reduce clients' waiting time to improve adherence to second clinic visit among clients newly diagnosed with HIV.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; adherence; clinic; factors; treatment.

Grants and funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the Fogarty International Center (US Department of State’s Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy [S/GAC] and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief [PEPFAR]) of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R25TW011210. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.