| dc.description.abstract | Background: 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 Services | en_US |
