Retention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through Assisted Partner Notification Services at Lira Regional Referral Hospital

Ayoo, ChristineOmech, BenardOpio, Bosco2023-05-112023-05-112022Ayoo, C., Omech, B., and Opio, B. (2022). Retention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through Assisted Partner Notification Services at Lira Regional Referral Hospitalhttp://ir.lirauni.ac.ug/xmlui/handle/123456789/648Background: Assisted Partner Notification is a public health strategy used to curb the spread of STIs and HIV/AIDS through testing and treating sexual partners of infected index cases and ensuring their retention in care. Retention of PLHIVs in LRRH still remains a challenge attributed to patients relocating to other places, forgetfulness, long distance, denial of treatment among others. Objective: to assess the level of retention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through assisted partner notification services at LRRH. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a quantitative method. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaire for a sample size of 424. Quantitative data was entered, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 at Univariate, Bivariate and Multivariate Level. Results: Retention level among HIV patients enrolled on ART through APNs was at 77% (327/424) … factors that were associated with this retention level included; gender (AOR 0.37 CI=0.21-0.64), marital status (AOR 2.31 CI=1.37-4.00), linkage to care (AOR 7.40 CI=2.77- 19.67), stigma (AOR 1.74 CI=1.00-3.00), and pill burden (AOR 2.37 CI=1.151-4.867). Conclusion: Retention level of HIV patients enrolled on ART through APNs at LRRH was fair at 77% according to ministry of health. The factors associated with retention level in this study includes; gender, marital status, stigma, linkage to care and pill burden. Recommendation: MoH and policy makers should strengthen their social behavioral change strategies targeting sexual partners and male engagement in HIV care. Keywords: Retention, HIV patients, ART, and Assisted Partner Notification ServicesenRetentionHIV patientsARTAssisted Partner Notification ServicesRetention and associated factors among HIV patients enrolled on ART through Assisted Partner Notification Services at Lira Regional Referral HospitalThesis