1. 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.
- Author
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Nyato, Daniel, Nnko, Soori, Komba, Albert, Kuringe, Evodius, Plotkin, Marya, Mbita, Gaspar, Shao, Amani, Changalucha, John, and Wambura, Mwita
- Subjects
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HIV prevention , *SEX workers , *HIV-positive children , *MEDICAL personnel , *HIV , *HEALTH attitudes , *QUALITATIVE research - Abstract
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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