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An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Transportation costs impede sustained adherence and access to HAART in a clinic population in southwestern Uganda: a
David M Tuller1, David R Bangsberg, Jude Senkungu
1School of Public Health, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA. davetuller@berkeley.edu
Insights
Transportation costs are a major barrier to HIV treatment adherence in sub-Saharan Africa. Addressing these costs is crucial for the success of antiretroviral programs and ensuring consistent patient care.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- HIV/AIDS Research
- Health Economics
Background:
- Antiretroviral (ARV) adherence is critical for managing HIV/AIDS.
- Transportation costs represent a potential barrier to consistent healthcare access in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Limited data exists on the impact of transportation costs on ARV adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore structural barriers to ARV adherence and clinical care.
- To understand the lived experiences of individuals with HIV/AIDS regarding transportation costs.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 41 open-ended interviews with individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
- Participants attended a clinic in Mbarara, Uganda.
- Qualitative data analysis to identify key themes and barriers.
Main Results:
- Nearly all participants reported significant stress and anxiety related to funding monthly clinic visits.
- Lack of funds for transportation frequently led to missed ARV doses and medical appointments.
- Participants faced competing financial demands, including food, housing, and school fees, against transportation costs.
Conclusions:
- Transportation costs significantly compromise both ARV adherence and access to essential HIV care.
- Interventions addressing transportation barriers are vital for the success of ARV programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Financial support for transportation can improve health outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Abstract:
The cost of transportation for monthly clinic visits has been identified as a potential barrier to antiretroviral (ARV) adherence in sub-Saharan Africa and elsewhere, although there is limited data on this issue. We conducted open-ended interviews with 41 individuals living with HIV/AIDS and attending a clinic in Mbarara, Uganda, to understand structural barriers to ARV adherence and clinical care. Almost all respondents cited the need to locate funds for the monthly clinic visit as a constant source of stress and anxiety, and lack of money for transportation was a key factor in cases of missed doses and missed medical appointments. Participants struggled with competing demands between transport costs and other necessities such as food, housing and school fees. Our findings suggest that transportation costs can compromise both ARV adherence and access to care. Interventions that address this barrier will be important to ensure the success of ARV programs in sub-Saharan Africa.
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