Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng; Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

| Peer-Reviewed

Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

Published in International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Received: 9 August 2022 Accepted: 5 September 2022 Published: 18 October 2022

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.

Published in	International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
Page(s)	55-60
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Barriers, Implementation, Universal Test and Treat, HIV/AIDS, Cameroon

References

[1]	World Health Organization. Progress report 2016: prevent HIV, test and treat all: WHO support for country impact. World Health Organization; 2016. p. 45-60.
[2]	Tarkang EE, Pietra V. Adolescents and Young Women’s Perceived Reasons for the Continued HIV/AIDS Prevalence in Kumba, Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioral Science. 2015; 1 (1): 8-10.
[3]	Global HIV & AIDS statistics — 2020 fact sheet. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet. accessed date: 2020 Aug 11.
[4]	World Health Organization: Guideline on when to start antiretroviral therapy and on pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Geneva, 2015. P. 45-49.
[5]	Countries adopt UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy to double number of people on life-saving HIV treatment by 2020. Available from: https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/presscentre/pressreleaseandstatementarchive/2015/november/20151124. Accessed date: 2020 Aug 11.
[6]	Leta TH, Sandøy IF, Fylkesnes K. Factors affecting voluntary HIV counselling and testing among men in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional survey. BMC Public Health. 2012; 12 (1): 438-442.
[7]	Bain LE, Nkoke C, Noubiap JJN. UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets to end the AIDS epidemic by 2020 are not realistic: comment on “Can the UNAIDS 90–90–90 target be achieved? A systematic analysis of national HIV treatment cascades.” BMJ Global Health. 2017; 2 (2): 216-221.
[8]	Zakumumpa H, Kiweewa FM, Khuluza F, Kitutu FE. “The number of clients is increasing but the supplies are reducing”: provider strategies for responding to chronic antiretroviral (ARV) medicines stock-outs in resource-limited settings: a qualitative study from Uganda. BMC Health Service Research. 2019; 19 (1): 312-316.
[9]	Conway DP, Holt M, Couldwell DL, Smith DE, Davies SC, McNulty A, et al. Barriers to HIV testing and characteristics associated with never testing among gay and bisexual men attending sexual health clinics in Sydney. Journal of International AIDS Society. 2015; 18 (1): 20221-20227.
[10]	Kwapong GD, Boateng D, Agyei-Baffour P, Addy EA. Health service barriers to HIV testing and counseling among pregnant women attending Antenatal Clinic; a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Service Research. 2014; 14 (1): 267-274.
[11]	Dapaah JM. Attitudes and behaviours of health workers and the use of HIV/AIDS health care services. Nursing Research and Practice. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana: Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2016. p. 12-15.
[12]	Lifson AR, Demissie W, Tadesse A, Ketema K, May R, Yakob B. Barriers to retention in care as perceived by persons living with HIV in rural Ethiopia: focus group results and recommended strategies. Journal of International Association Providers of AIDS Care. 2013; 12 (1): 32–38.
[13]	St Clair-Sullivan N, Mwamba C, Whetham J, Moore CB, Darking M, Vera J. Barriers to HIV care and adherence for young people living with HIV in Zambia and mhealth. Zambia, 2019. p. 10-13.
[14]	Blas MM, Alva IE, Cabello R, Carcamo C, Kurth AE. Risk behaviors and reasons for not getting tested for HIV among men who have sex with men: an online survey in Peru. PLoS One. 2011; 6 (11): 27334-2738.
[15]	Meka AF, Billong SC, Diallo I, Tiemtore OW, Bongwong B, Nguefack-Tsague G. Challenges and barriers to HIV service uptake and delivery along the HIV care cascade in Cameroon. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2020; 36 (3): 231-238.
[16]	Tafuma TA, Mahachi N, Dziwa C, Moga T, Baloyi P, Muyambo G, Muchedzi A, Chimbidzikai T, Ncube G, Murungu J, Nyagura T. Barriers to HIV service utilisation by people living with HIV in two provinces of Zimbabwe: Results from 2016 baseline assessment. South Africa Journal of HIV Medicine. 2018; 19 (1): 121-125.
[17]	Mohlabane N, Tutshana B, Peltzer K, Mwisongo A. Barriers and facilitators associated with HIV testing uptake in South African health facilities offering HIV Counselling and Testing. Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. 2016; 21 (5) 86–95.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. (2022). Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(2), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(2), 55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(2):55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12,
  author = {Kah Emmanuel Nji and Vincent Verla Siysi and Nsagha Dickson Shey and Che Frankline Anyiang and Serge Ngekeng and Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin},
  title = {Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {55-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download

TY - JOUR
T1 - Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study
AU - Kah Emmanuel Nji
AU - Vincent Verla Siysi
AU - Nsagha Dickson Shey
AU - Che Frankline Anyiang
AU - Serge Ngekeng
AU - Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin
Y1 - 2022/10/18
PY - 2022
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
DO - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
T2 - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP - 55
EP - 60
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5765
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
AB - Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.
VL - 8
IS - 2
ER -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Kah Emmanuel Nji

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Vincent Verla Siysi

Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Nsagha Dickson Shey

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Che Frankline Anyiang

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Serge Ngekeng

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. (2022). Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(2), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(2), 55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(2):55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12,
  author = {Kah Emmanuel Nji and Vincent Verla Siysi and Nsagha Dickson Shey and Che Frankline Anyiang and Serge Ngekeng and Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin},
  title = {Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {55-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.},
 year = {2022}
}

Copy | Download