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Title
Factors influencing the delivery and uptake of early infant diagnosis of HIV services in Greater Accra, Ghana: A qualitative study |
Full text
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246876; http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/37373 |
Date
2021 |
Author(s)
Ankrah, A.K.; Dako-Gyeke, P. |
Abstract
Research Article - Background
Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) of HIV and timely initiation of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) can
significantly reduce morbidity and mortality of HIV infected infants. Despite the benefits of
early infant testing, the coverage of EID of HIV services is still low in Sub-Saharan Africa,
including Ghana.
Objectives
To ascertain the factors that facilitate or hinder the delivery and uptake of EID of HIV services.
The study is a cross-sectional exploratory qualitative research conducted in two health facili ties in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Respondents (n = 50) comprising health workers
(n = 20) and HIV positive mothers (n = 30) were purposively sampled and engaged in in depth interviews. The Nvivo 11 software and the Braun and Clarke's stages of thematic
analysis were used in coding data and data analysis respectively.
The study found that health system factors such as inadequate Staff with sample collection
skills, unavailability of vehicles to convey samples to the reference laboratory for analysis,
the long turnaround time for receipt of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) results, inadequate and frequent breakdown of PCR machine hindered EID service delivery. On the other
hand, adequate knowledge of health workers on EID, availability of Dried Blood Spot (DBS)
cards and the adoption of task shifting strategies facilitated EID service delivery. Factors
such as the denial of HIV status, non-completion of the EID process due to frustrations
encountered whiles accessing service and delay in receipt of PCR results served as barriers
to mother's utilisation of EID services for their exposed infants. The study also identified that
adequate knowledge of EID, perceived importance of EID, financial stability as well as financial support from others and the positive attitudes of health workers facilitated HIV positive
mother's uptake of EID services for their exposed infants.
The factors attributing to the low coverage of EID of HIV services must be promptly
addressed to improve service delivery and uptake. |
Language
en_US |
Publisher
PLOS ONE |
Type of publication
Article |
Format
application/pdf |
Repository
Accra - University of Ghana
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Added to C-A: 2022-03-17;07:56:30 |
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