FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ENROLLMENT OF HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN ART CARE CLINIC IN KAMBUGA HOSPITAL KANUNGU DISTRICT UGANDA.

ABSTRACT

Topic: Factors contributing to enrollment of HIV patients m ART care clinic m Kambuga

hospital Kanungu district.

Specific objectives: To determine association between psychosocial factors and enrollment of

HIV patients in ART care clinic ,to determine association between economic factors and

enrollment of HIV patients in ART care clinic, to determine association between health system

factors and enrollment ofHIV patients in ART care clinic.

Methods. The study used a cross-sectional design with quantitative approaches. The study used

a sample size of 80 respondents. Questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect data.

Descriptive statistics were used to present quantitative data and this involved the use of

frequency tables.

Results: stigma, fear of disclosure, fear of side effects of drugs and fear of drug toxicities were

some of the associated psychosocial factors. Patients inability to take time of work for clinic

appointments, transport costs patients , food insecurity and inadequate patient resources were

the associated economic factors while the associated health system factors included inadequate

counselors ,staff shortages ,less frequent dispensing and long waiting hours by patients.

Conclusion: The association between psychosocial factors and enrollment of patients included

stigma followed by fear of disclosure then fear of drug toxicities and finally fear of drug side

effect. The association between economic factors and enrollment included patient's inability to

take time of work for clinic appointments followed by transp01t costs then food insecurity and

finally inadequate resources. The association between health system factors and enrollment

included inadequate counselors followed by staff shortages then less frequent dispensing and

finally long waiting hours.

Recommendations: It was recommended that continuous health education and empowerment of

parents, religious leaders, teachers and those affected with HIV I AIDS should get involved in

dissemination of information concerning HIV/AIDS. Also there is need to train and recruit more

personnel for efficiency in management of the patient.