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Facilitators and barriers to linkage to HIV care and treatment among female sex workers in a community-based HIV prevention intervention in Tanzania: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: HIV-infected female sex workers (FSWs) have poor linkage to HIV care in sub-Sahara Africa. METHODS: We conducted 21 participatory group discussions (PGDs) to explore factors influencing linkage to HIV care among FSWs tested for HIV through a comprehensive community-based HIV prevention p...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Nyato, Daniel, Nnko, Soori, Komba, Albert, Kuringe, Evodius, Plotkin, Marya, Mbita, Gaspar, Shao, Amani, Changalucha, John, Wambura, Mwita
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Public Library of Science 2019
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6863533/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31743336
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219032
Descripción
Sumario:BACKGROUND: HIV-infected female sex workers (FSWs) have poor linkage to HIV care in sub-Sahara Africa. METHODS: We conducted 21 participatory group discussions (PGDs) to explore factors influencing linkage to HIV care among FSWs tested for HIV through a comprehensive community-based HIV prevention project in Tanzania. RESULTS: Influences on linkage to care were present at the system, societal and individual levels. System-level factors included unfriendly service delivery environment, including lengthy pre-enrolment sessions, concerns about confidentiality, stigmatising attitudes of health providers. Societal-level factors included myths and misconceptions about ART and stigma. On the individual level, most notable was fear of not being able to continue to have a livelihood if one’s status were to be known. Facilitators were noted, including the availability of transport to services, friendly health care providers and peer-support referral and networks. CONCLUSION: Findings of this study underscore the importance of peer-supported linkages to HIV care and the need for respectful, high-quality care.