Understanding the persistence of vertical (stand-alone) HIV clinics in the health system in Uganda: a qualitative synthesis of patient and provider perspectives

Perspectives on integrating family planning and nutrition: a qualitative study of stakeholders

BACKGROUND

Limited information is available on the value of integrating family planning and nutrition services to improve related outcomes among women of reproductive age and effective approaches to achieve this. This study aimed to ascertain the perspectives and experiences of global and regional stakeholders about integrating family planning and nutrition services, examine facilitators and barriers and identify opportunities and considerations for integration.

METHODS

We conducted semistructured interviews with 34 global and regional stakeholders in family planning, nutrition and related domains. Participants were identified through purposive sampling. Interviews were conducted virtually, recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Stakeholders considered the integration of family planning and nutrition services potentially valuable given the biological links between family planning and nutritional status, and potential practical benefits including increased service coverage, reduced burden on beneficiaries to access services and increased cost-effectiveness of service delivery. Integration was commonly described within the context of comprehensive health service packages, with integration models encompassing health systems strengthening, life course and multisectoral approaches. Facilitators and barriers included systemic and structural, resource-related and contextual factors. The need for more robust evidence to support integration and identify effective and cost-effective integration models was emphasised.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating family planning with nutrition services and both with other health services directed towards women of reproductive age and their children may offer greater value in improving health and related outcomes, as opposed to siloed approaches. Further evidence quantifying benefits and highlighting the effectiveness of such integration strategies is key to informing future programmatic efforts.

Current out of pocket care costs among HIV and hypertension co-morbid patients in urban and peri-urban Uganda

BACKGROUND

Despite improvements to the cascade of HIV care in East Africa, access to care for non-communicable disease co-morbidities like hypertension (HTN) remains a persistent problem. The integration of care for these conditions presents an opportunity to achieve efficiencies in delivery as well as decrease overall costs for patients. This study aims to build evidence on the burden of current out-of-pocket costs of care among HIV-HTN co-morbid patients.

METHODS

We administered a pre-tested, cross-sectional, out-of-pocket cost survey to 94 co-morbid patients receiving HIV care from 10 clinics in the Wakiso and Kampala districts of Uganda from June to November 2021. The survey assessed socio-demographic characteristics, direct medical costs (e.g., medications, consultations), indirect costs (e.g., transport, food, caregiving), and economic costs (i.e., foregone income) associated with seeking HIV and HTN care, as well as possible predictors of monthly care costs. Patients were sampled both during a government-imposed nation-wide full COVID-19 lockdown (n = 30) and after it was partially lifted (n = 64).

RESULTS

Median HIV care costs constitute between 2.7 and 4.0% of median monthly household income, while HTN care costs are between 7.1 to 7.9%. For just under half of our sample, the median monthly cost of HTN care is more than 10% of household income, and more than a quarter of patients report borrowing money or selling assets to cover costs. We observe uniformly lower reported costs of care for both conditions under full COVID-19 lockdown, suggesting that access to care was limited. The main predictors of monthly HIV and HTN care costs varied by disease and costing perspective.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient out of pocket costs of care for HIV and HTN were substantial, but significantly lower during the 2021 full COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda. New strategies such as service integration need to be explored to reduce these costs.

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment: experiences of people with HIV and their healthcare providers in Uganda

INTRODUCTION

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral treatment (LAI-ART) has emerged as a novel alternative to the burden of daily oral pills. The bi-monthly intramuscular injectable containing cabotegravir and rilpivirine holds the promise of improving adherence to ART. The perspectives of potential users of LAI-ART, the majority of whom reside in Eastern and Southern Africa, are still largely unexplored. We set out to understand the experiences of people with HIV (PWH) who received LAI-ART at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital in mid-Western Uganda for at least 12 months.

METHODS

This qualitative study, conducted between July and August 2023, was nested within a larger study. We conducted four focus groups with 32 (out of 69) PWH who received intramuscular injections of cabotegravir and rilpivirine. In-depth interviews were held with six health workers who delivered LAI-ART to PWH. Data were analyzed by thematic approach broadly modeled on the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

RESULTS

There was high acceptability of LAI-ART (30 /32 or 94%) participants requested to remain on LAI-ART even after the end of the 12-month trial. Adherence to ART was reportedly improved when compared to daily oral treatment. Participants credited LAI-ART with; superior viral load suppression, redemption from the daily psychological reminder of living with HIV, enhanced privacy in HIV care and treatment, reduced HIV-related stigma associated with taking oral pills and that it absolved them from carrying bulky medication packages. Conversely, nine participants reported pain around the injection site and a transient fever soon after administering the injection as side effects of LAI-ART. Missed appointments for receiving the bi-monthly injection were common. Providers identified health system barriers to the prospective scale-up of LAI-ART which include the perceived high cost of LAI-ART, stringent cold chain requirements, physical space limitations, and workforce skills gaps in LAI-ART delivery as potential drawbacks.

CONCLUSION

Overall, PWH strongly preferred LAI-ART and expressed a comparatively higher satisfaction with this treatment alternative. Health system barriers to potential scale-up are essential to consider if a broader population of PWH will benefit from this novel HIV treatment option in Uganda and other resource-limited settings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial Registry Number PACTR ID PACTR202104874490818 (registered on 16/04/2021).

A social innovation to empower community-led monitoring and mobilization for HIV prevention in rural Kenya: experimenting to reduce the HIV prevention policy-implementation gap

Introduction

Strong policy guidance has recently emerged identifying focal points at multiple levels and across sectors to end the persistent HIV pandemic and related inequities. Reducing the policy-implementation gap, as with the evidence-policy gap, requires strategic alignment between interventional research and policy realms. Global- and national-level HIV policy indicate a need for community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and increase uptake of HIV prevention tools.

Methods

This study assesses a process-driven approach to facilitating community-led efforts to reduce HIV stigma, and build a generative context for community-led HIV prevention. The study intervention combines an adapted group-based microfinance process, a novel psychological curriculum, and leadership development at a scale now involving over 10,000 rural Kenyans across 39 villages.

Results

Consistent with interventional goals, and current relevant psychosocial theories, we find collective emotion, and HIV stigma (blame and discrimination) significantly improve with more time participating in the in the program and novel curriculum. Further, HIV stigma predicts subsequent reporting of ever being tested for HIV, and the intervention led to the development of "HIV prevention resource committees" - groups of participants committed to undergo training to reduce HIV stigma and prevent HIV within their communities.

Discussion

Implications for further research to reduce the HIV policy-implementation gap are discussed, directly within this interventional context and more generally.

Culturally adapting a mindfulness and acceptance-based intervention to support the mental health of adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Uganda

The dual burden of living with HIV and negotiating life stage changes has been identified as a contributing factor to lapsed adherence among adolescents with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. While psychosocial support can promote medication adherence, most interventions in use with adolescents were originally developed for the general population creating a gap in appropriate support. Life-stage-appropriate, evidence-based psychosocial support interventions have been used with young people in high-income contexts, prompting interest in their use in low-income contexts. However, many interventions are less effective when implemented outside of their original settings, hence the need for modifications before implementation. We aimed to culturally adapt an evidence-based psychosocial support intervention designed to improve the mental health of young people for use among adolescents with HIV in a sub-Saharan African context and to explore the acceptability of the adapted intervention among adolescents. We engaged thirty stakeholders (n = 30) in Kampala, Uganda including psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, HIV counselors, religious leaders and adolescent peers from December 2021 to April 2022 to modify an evidence-based intervention for adolescents. Key adaptations included simplifying the language, adding local practices, integrating locally relevant slang and stories into therapy, introducing racially-congruent visuals and cards representing emotions, and adjusting therapy materials for use in resource-constrained settings. We then tested the acceptability of the intervention in a small sample of service users using a qualitative approach. We recruited nine adolescents with HIV from a participating clinic in Kampala, delivered six 90-minute sessions of the adapted intervention across three weeks and conducted in-depth interviews to assess the acceptability of the intervention. We used thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data. The adapted intervention was perceived as acceptable among adolescents with HIV, with many stating that it helped them overcome fears, increased their self-acceptance, and gave them the confidence to make careful health-enhancing decisions.

Leveraging the HIV response to strengthen pandemic preparedness

The COVID-19 pandemic and the expectation of future pandemic threats have generated a global dialogue on strengthening pandemic preparedness and response (PPR). Thus far, this dialogue has largely failed to fully consider the critical role that established, disease-specific programs played in national and regional COVID-19 responses, and the potential for these programs to contribute to stronger pandemic preparedness for the future. The HIV response is an important example of a global health initiative that is already making substantial contributions to PPR. Both the infrastructure and core principles of the HIV response have much to contribute towards pandemic preparedness that is more effective and equitable than seen in the response to COVID-19. This review examines how HIV-related resources and principles can support communities and countries in being better prepared for emerging disease threats, with a specific focus on evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on the current literature, the review explores the clear, multi-faceted intersection between the HIV response and the central elements of pandemic preparedness in areas including surveillance; supply chain; primary care; health care workforce; community engagement; biomedical research; universal access without discrimination; political leadership; governance; and financing. There are many opportunities to be more strategic and purposeful in leveraging HIV programs and approaches for preparedness. Avoiding the longstanding temptation in global health to create new siloes, PPR initiatives, including the new Pandemic Fund at the World Bank, should invest in and build out from existing programs that are already making health systems more inclusive and resilient, including the global response to HIV.

The challenge of dealing with non-AIDS comorbidities for people living with HIV: Perspectives and experiences of patients and healthcare providers

As the cohort of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) ages, so does the spectrum and burden of non-AIDS define HIV-associated conditions (NARC). PLHIV are likely to need different and increased healthcare services. It requires health systems to adapt to this disease trend and conform to a chronic care model, which respects the distinct needs of the ageing population. In this article, we explore the lived experiences of PLHIV and their healthcare providers in managing the challenges of dealing with NARC in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia. This study utilises interpretative substantive methods, encompassing qualitative interviews and Focus Group Discussions. The Normalisation Practice Theory (NPT) guided the semi-structured questions concerning routine screenings and current models of HIV care for ageing individuals. The main structural challenges in providing adequate geriatric care included: (i) the lack of awareness of the risk of NARCs; (ii) the absence of blended care; (iii) an HIV-centred approach exclusive of multidisciplinary care; and (iv) financial constraints. In an era with increasing NARCs, traditional HIV care models must adapt to the emerging challenges of a 'greying' and growing population.

HIV testing attitudes and practices amongst 'wealthy men': qualitative evidence from Tanzania

Evidence from nationally representative surveys conducted in sub-Saharan Africa shows that significant proportions of men in the wealthiest quintile report never having tested for HIV. Despite high prevalence rates in this quintile, no research has been conducted on the HIV testing attitudes and practices of wealthier men. This article reports findings from qualitative research conducted with 23 wealthy men in Tanzania. Whilst wealthy men reported barriers to and enablers of HIV testing previously reported by the general population, concerns around loss of social status and community standing were amplified for members of this demographic. Furthermore, HIV stigma among members of this group remains high. However, enhanced access to HIV testing through private clinics, regular healthcare appointments, health insurance schemes and the means to travel to other countries enables wealthy men to avoid stigma. In settings such as the workplace, wealthy men were able to test in public in their roles as 'leaders' to encourage others to test. Future interventions to increase testing amongst men should target settings in which these leadership roles can be taken advantage of. HIV services also need integrating into the health system to remove the need for testing and treatment to be accessed at separate clinics.

Patient experiences of sexual dysfunction after transition to dolutegravir-based HIV treatment in mid-Western Uganda: a qualitative study

Background

The literature on dolutegravir (DTG)-based HIV treatment has focused on assessing therapeutic efficacy particularly with regard to viral load suppression. However, little empirical attention has been devoted to understanding the effects of DTG on quality of life, in particular sexual health and functioning in PLHIV. This study focused on understanding patient experiences of sexual dysfunction, after transition to DTG-based regimens in Rwenzori region in Mid-Western Uganda.

Methods

We adopted a qualitative exploratory research design. Between August and September 2021, we conducted sixteen in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions (48 participants) with patients reporting ‘new’ sexual dysfunction after transition to DTG-based regimens at seven health facilities in mid-Western Uganda. Data were analyzed by thematic approach.

Results

Decreased libido was reported in both sexes of patients within weeks of transition to DTG-based regimens. Diminished interest in sex was more frequently reported among women while men complained of a marked reduction in the frequency of sex. Women reported loss of psycho-social attraction to their long-term male partners. Erectile dysfunction was common among men in this sample of patients. Patients described their experiences of sexual dysfunction as an affront to their socially-constructed gender identities. Patients described tolerating sexual adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as a necessary tradeoff for the extension in life granted through antiretroviral therapy. A number of women reported that they had separated from their spouses as a result of perceived drug-induced sexual dysfunction. Marital strife and conflict arising from frustration with sexual-partner dysfunction was frequently reported by participants in both sexes. Several participants indicated experiencing insecurity in their heterosexual relationships due to difficulties in sexual functioning.

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction following transition to DTG-based regimens is common in both sexes of PLHIV, who indicated that they had no prior experience of difficulties in sexual health. Our findings demonstrate that sexual ADRs negatively impact self-esteem, overall quality of life and impair gender relations. DTG-related sexual health problems merit increased attention from HIV clinicians. Further research is warranted to assess the prevalence of DTG-associated sexual dysfunction in patients in Uganda.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07673-z.

Quantity and Quality of Healthcare Professionals, Transfer Delay and In-hospital Mortality Among ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Mixed-Method Cross-Sectional Study of 89 Emergency Medical Stations in China

Background

Transfer delay provokes prolongation of prehospital time, which contributes to treatment delay that endangers patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A key constraint in reducing transfer delay is the shortage of emergency healthcare workers. This study was to explore the influence of the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations on transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted at 89 emergency stations in 9 districts in China's Shenzhen province. Based on a sample of 31 hospitals, 1,255 healthcare professionals, and 3,131 patients with STEMI, a generalized linear model was used to explore the associations between the quality and quantity of healthcare professionals and transfer delay and in-hospital mortality among STEMI patients. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed to explore the reasons for the lack of qualified healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations.

Results

The analysis of the quantity of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 5.087 min (95% CI −6.722, −3.452; P < 0.001). An increase of one nurse per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 1.471 min (95% CI −2.943, 0.002; P=0.050). Analysis of the quality of healthcare professionals showed that an increase of one physician with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay for patients with STEMI by 8.508 min (95% CI −10.457, −6.558; P < 0.001). An increase of one nurse with an undergraduate degree per 100,000 individuals was associated with decreased transfer delay by 6.645 min (95% CI −8.218, −5.072; P < 0.001). Qualitative analysis illustrated that the main reasons for low satisfaction of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations included low income, limited promotion opportunities, and poor working environment.

Conclusions

The quantity and quality of emergency healthcare professionals are key factors influencing transfer delay in STEMI patients. The government should increase the quantity of healthcare professionals at emergency medical stations, strengthen the training, and improve their performance by linking with clinical pathways to enhance job enthusiasm among emergency healthcare professionals.

Provider perspectives on the acceptability and tolerability of dolutegravir-based anti-retroviral therapy after national roll-out in Uganda: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization recommends dolutegravir (DTG) as the for first-line and second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) worldwide. However, little is known about the acceptability and tolerability of DTG-based ART at routine points-of-care in Uganda. We set out to explore the perceptions of clinicians in ART clinics regarding the acceptability and tolerability of DTG-based ART since national roll-out in March 2018 in Uganda.

METHODS

We adopted a qualitative exploratory design involving 49 participants. Between September 2020 and February 2021, we conducted 22 in-depth interviews with clinicians in the ART clinics of 12 purposively selected health facilities across Uganda. The selection of study sites ensured diversity in facility ownership-type (public/private), level of service delivery (tertiary/secondary/primary) and the four major geographic sub-regions of Uganda. We conducted three focus group discussions with 27 clinicians in the participating facilities. Data were analyzed by thematic approach.

RESULTS

Clinicians in ART clinics acknowledged that DTG-based ART is well tolerated by the majority of their patients who appreciate the reduced pill burden, perceived less side effects and superior viral load suppression. However, they reported that a number of their patients experience adverse drug reactions (ADRs) after being transitioned to DTG. Hyperglycemia is, by far, the most commonly reported suspected ADR associated with DTG-based regimens and was cited in all but two participating facilities. Insomnia, weight gain and reduced libido are among the other frequently cited suspected ADRs. In addition, clinicians in ART clinics perceived some of the suspected ADRs as resulting from drug interactions between dolutegravir and isoniazid. Weak diagnostic capacities and shortage of associated commodities (e.g. glucometers and test kits) were reported as impediments to understanding the full extent of ADRs associated DTG-based ART.

CONCLUSION

While DTG-based regimens were perceived by clinicians in ART clinics to be well tolerated by the majority of their patients, they also reported that a number of patients experience suspected ADRs key among which were hyperglycemia, insomnia and reduced libido. Based on the perspectives of clinicians, we recommend that future studies examine the prevalence of dolutegravir-induced hyperglycemia in patients in Uganda.

Support services available for elderly women caring for people living with HIV and AIDS in Masindi District, Uganda

In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV/AIDS remains a big challenge and a leading cause of death among young adults, its main productive human resource. Hence, increasing the demand for care and support services by the epidemic infected and affected people. As a result, elderly persons, especially women are burdened to provide care and support; a midst disintegrated family support system and the inability of public and private sectors to adequately address their needs. The current qualitative study examined the support services available for elderly women caring for people living with HIV/AIDS in Masindi district, Uganda. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 24 participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 elderly women caregivers and 6 key informants. Findings indicated that the elderly women caregivers were at least receiving support from two major sectors; including the informal (family, friends, neighbors, religious and community groups) and formal (The Aids Support Organisation- TASO and the government) support systems. However, this support was not consistent and efficient for optimal caregiving. Therefore, more needs to done by making both the informal and formal support systems fully available for elderly caregivers for HIV/AIDS people, thus, benefiting from direct intervention and support services to help meet their care needs.

Understanding implementation barriers in the national scale-up of differentiated ART delivery in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Although Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) for anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has been rolled-out nationally in several countries since World Health Organization (WHO)'s landmark 2016 guidelines, there is little research evaluating post-implementation outcomes. The objective of this study was to explore patients' and HIV service managers' perspectives on barriers to implementation of Differentiated ART service delivery in Uganda.

METHODS

We employed a qualitative descriptive design involving 124 participants. Between April and June 2019 we conducted 76 qualitative interviews with national-level HIV program managers (n = 18), District Health Team leaders (n = 24), representatives of PEPFAR implementing organizations (11), ART clinic in-charges (23) in six purposively selected Uganda districts with a high HIV burden (Kampala, Luwero, Wakiso, Mbale, Budadiri, Bulambuli). Six focus group discussions (48 participants) were held with patients enrolled in DSD models in case-study districts. Data were analyzed by thematic approach as guided by a multi-level analytical framework: Individual-level factors; Health-system factors; Community factors; and Context.

RESULTS

Our data shows that multiple barriers have been encountered in DSD implementation. Individual-level: Individualized stigma and a fear of detachment from health facilities by stable patients enrolled in community-based models were reported as bottlenecks. Socio-economic status was reported to have an influence on patient selection of DSD models. Health-system: Insufficient training of health workers in DSD delivery and supply chain barriers to multi-month ART dispensing were identified as constraints. Patients perceived current selection of DSD models to be provider-intensive and not sufficiently patient-centred. Community: Community-level stigma and insufficient funding to providers to fully operationalize community drug pick-up points were identified as limitations.

CONTEXT

Frequent changes in physical addresses among urban clients were reported to impede the running of patient groups of rotating ART refill pick-ups.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the first multi-stakeholder evaluations of national DSD implementation in Uganda since initial roll-out in 2017. Multi-level interventions are needed to accelerate further DSD implementation in Uganda from demand-side (addressing HIV-related stigma, community engagement) and supply-side dimensions (strengthening ART supply chain capacities, increasing funding for community models and further DSD program design to improve patient-centeredness).

Job satisfaction of the primary healthcare providers with expanded roles in the context of health service integration in rural China: a cross-sectional mixed methods study

OBJECTIVE

Against the backdrop of integrating public health services and clinical services at primary healthcare (PHC) institutions, primary healthcare providers (PCPs) have taken on expanded roles. This posed a potential challenge to China as it may directly impact PCPs' workload, income, and perceived work autonomy, thus affecting their job satisfaction. This study aimed to explore the association between the expanded roles and job satisfaction of the PCPs in township healthcare centers (THCs), the rural PHC institutions in China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using mixed methods was conducted in 47 THCs in China's Shandong province. Based on a sample of 1146 PCPs, the association between the proportion of PCPs' working time spent on public health services and PCPs' self-reported job satisfaction was estimated using the logistic regression. Qualitative data were also collected and analyzed to explore the mechanism of how the expanded roles impacted PCPs' job satisfaction.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-four physicians and 146 nurses undertook increased work responsibilities, accounting for 15.91% and 12.61% of the total sample. For those spending 40-60%, 60-80%, and more than 80% of the working time providing public health services, the time spent on public health was negatively associated with job satisfaction, with the odds ratio being 0.199 [0.067-0.587], 0.083 [0.025-0.276], and 0.030 [0.007-0.130], respectively. Qualitative analysis illustrated that a majority of the PCPs with expanded roles were dissatisfied with their jobs due to the heavy workload, the mismatch between the income and the workload, and the low level of work autonomy. PCPs' heavier work burden was mainly caused by the current public health service delivery policy and the separation of public health service delivery and regular clinical services delivery, a significant challenge undermining the efforts to better integrate public health services and clinical services at PHC institutions.

CONCLUSION

The current policies of adding public health service delivery to the PHC system have negative impacts on PCPs' job satisfaction through increased work responsibilities for PCPs, which have led to low work autonomy and the mismatch between the income and the workload. The fundamental reason lies in the fragmented incentives and external supervision for public health service delivery and clinical service delivery. Policy-makers should balance the development of clinic and public health departments at the institutional level and integrate their financing and supervision at the system level so as to strengthen the synergy of public health service provision and routine clinical service provision.

Challenges with seeking HIV care services: perspectives of older adults infected with HIV in western Kenya

BACKGROUND

While younger adults (15-49 years) form the majority of the population living with HIV, older adults (≥50 years) infected with HIV face multiple challenges related to the aging process and HIV. We explored the experiences of older persons infected with HIV at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program in western Kenya to understand the challenges faced when seeking HIV care services.

METHODS

Between November 2016 and April 2017, a total of 57 adults aged 50 years and above were recruited from two AMPATH facilities - one rural and one urban facility. A total of 25 in-depth interviews and four focus group discussions were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed and thematic analysis performed.

RESULTS

Study participants raised unique challenges with seeking HIV care that include visits to multiple healthcare providers to manage HIV and comorbidities and as a result impact on their adherence to medication and clinical visits. Challenges with inadequate quality of facilities and poor patient-provider communication were also raised. Participants' preference for matched gender and older age for care providers that serve older patients were identified.

CONCLUSION

Results indicate multiple challenges faced by older adults that need attention in ensuring continuous engagement in HIV care. Targeted HIV care for older adults would, therefore, significantly improve their access to and experience of HIV care. Of key importance is the integration of other chronic diseases into HIV care and employing staff that matches the needs of older adults.

"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

Background

Despite the increasing frequency of ARV medicines stock-outs in Sub-Saharan Africa, there is little research inquiring into the mitigation strategies devised by frontline health facilities. Many previous studies have focused on ‘upstream’ or national-level drivers of ARVs stock-outs with less empirical attention devoted ‘down-stream’ or at the facility-level. The objective of this study was to examine the strategies devised by health facilities in Uganda to respond to the chronic stock-outs of ARVs.

Methods

This was a qualitative research design nested within a larger mixed-methods study. We purposively selected 16 health facilities from across Uganda (to achieve diversity with regard to; level of care (primary/ tertiary), setting (rural/urban) and geographic sub-region (northern/ central/western). We conducted 76 Semi-structured interviews with ART clinic managers, clinicians and pharmacists in the selected health facilities supplemented by on-site observations and documentary reviews. Data were analyzed by coding and thematic analyses.

Results

Participants reported that facility-level contributors to stock-outs include untimely orders of drugs from suppliers and inaccurate quantification of ARV medicine needs due to a paucity of ART program data. Internal stock management solutions for mitigating stock-outs which emerged include the substitution of ARV medicines which were out of stock, overstocking selected medicines and the use of recently expired drugs. The external solutions for mitigating stock-outs which were identified include ‘borrowing’ of ARVs from peer-providers, re-distributing stock across regions and upward referrals of patients. Systemic drivers of stock-outs were identified. These include the supply of drugs with a short shelf life, oversupply and undersupply of ARV medicines and migration pressures on the available ARVs stock at case-study facilities.

Conclusion

Health facilities devised internal stock management strategies and relied on peer-provider networks for ARV medicines during stock-out events. Our study underscores the importance of devising interventions aimed at improving Uganda’s medicines supply chain systems in the quest to reduce the frequency of ARV medicines stock-outs at the front-line level of service delivery. Further research is recommended on the effect of substituting ARV medicines on patient outcomes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4137-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.