Factors affecting retention in care for HIV/AIDS patients on islands of Lake Victoria

Abstract

Over the years, retention of HIV positive patients in care has been low due to a lot of challenges most of which are socioeconomic and structural factors affecting the retention in care. A number of interventions have been instituted by major stakeholders to improve the way HIV positive patients are retained into care which include poor access to socioeconomic and structural factors. The aim of this study will be to determine the factors affecting retention in Mayuge district. The study was an explorative analytical cross sectional phenomenological study design. Forcus group discusson were used for data collection from HIV positive patients in Jaguzi HC3 Art clinic. The research study used to analyse factors affecting retention of HIV/AIDS patients. Such factors identified will help Mayuge district to identify gaps and get solutions to them in order for the level of retention among HIV/AIDS patients improves, also the findings will also help the researcher in attainment of Bachelors of degree in Social Sciences. The study found out that many patients are affected by the rate of poverty, unemployment, the behaviours of the health workers, the distance walked to the health centre to their retention at the ART clinic hence the study recommended that there is need for more conduct in the ethical behaviour and professional conduct of the health workers, the appointments should be given to the patients to minimize the health personals workloads and also encourage government employ more health workers at the Jaguzi health centre 3.