Community participation in the retention of adults in HIV care in the Muyuka Health District, South-West Region, Cameroon

INTRODUCTION: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is vital for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and a substantial number of HIV/AIDS patients still face stigmatization from family and other members of the community. Stigma could lead to poor retention in HIV care and consequently result in decreased chances of survival and increased risk of HIV transmission. The aim of this study was to determine the retention of patients in HIV care and community participation in the retention of patients in HIV care at the Muyuka Health District, South-West Region, Cameroon. METHODS: This was an analytic cross-sectional retrospective study where 385 hospital records of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) enrolled in HIV care were reviewed, and we administered 348 questionnaires to community members. Data were collected and analysed using bivariate analysis and chi-square test. The Susan Rifkin's scoring method was used to measure community participation. Statistical significance was set at P-value < 0.05. RESULTS: A total number of 112(29.1%) of people living with HIV (PLWHIV) enrolled in HIV care were retained in HIV care against 273(70.9%), who were lost to follow-up over a two year and four months period. Patients on a Zidovudine containing ART regimen were about 7 times more likely to be lost to follow-up (OR 6.92; 95% CI 1.80-26.60, P-value = 0.005). The overall community participation in the retention of adults in HIV care in the Muyuka Health District was low; mean resource allocation score = 2.43, mean leadership score = 1.0; mean organization factor score = 1.30; but the mean needs assessment score was good (4.0). CONCLUSION: retention of patients enrolled in HIV care, and the community participation in the retention were low. Collaborations between health care structures and community initiatives should be resourced to foster continuum of care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV).