ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infection which mainly affects the lungs. Due to the current Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) pandemic, TB has become a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, being the most common fatal opportunistic disease among PLHIV although curable. Five years after the revised policy on execution of joint TB/HIV activities was rolled out in Ghana with a yearly target of 100% HIV testing and Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage for TB clients co infected with HIV, 84% of TB clients were tested for HIV and less than half of these individuals are on ART.
Objective: This study explored the challenges in implementing HIV screening and ART among TB clients in Tema Metropolitan District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.
Methods: Using in-depth interviews (IDIs), the study provided data on the perspectives of policy-makers and service providers on the dual TB/HIV programme implementation, the TB clients’ knowledge of HIV/AIDS, HIV screening and ART and their willingness to accept and adhere to treatment if co-infected which were analyzed thematically.
Results: Among the findings were barriers hampering TB/HIV collaboration which were insufficient funding, human resource shortages, loss to follow-up and discrimination. In addition, male clients were more knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, screening and ART. Some expressed their unwillingness to accept ART, which was hinged on beliefs and drug quantity.
Conclusion: These barriers to screening and ART uptake reinforce the need for sustained gender equality in education, empowerment, health promotion activities and increased CSO/private sector involvement.
OSAGIE, I (2021). Implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Screening and Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) Among Tuberculosis (Tb) Clients in Tema Metropolitan District, Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Afribary. Retrieved from https://tracking.afribary.com/works/implementation-of-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-screening-and-antiretroviral-therapy-art-among-tuberculosis-tb-clients-in-tema-metropolitan-district-greater-accra-region-of-ghana
OSAGIE, IFEYINWA "Implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Screening and Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) Among Tuberculosis (Tb) Clients in Tema Metropolitan District, Greater Accra Region of Ghana" Afribary. Afribary, 08 Apr. 2021, https://tracking.afribary.com/works/implementation-of-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-screening-and-antiretroviral-therapy-art-among-tuberculosis-tb-clients-in-tema-metropolitan-district-greater-accra-region-of-ghana. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.
OSAGIE, IFEYINWA . "Implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Screening and Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) Among Tuberculosis (Tb) Clients in Tema Metropolitan District, Greater Accra Region of Ghana". Afribary, Afribary, 08 Apr. 2021. Web. 20 Sep. 2024. < https://tracking.afribary.com/works/implementation-of-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-screening-and-antiretroviral-therapy-art-among-tuberculosis-tb-clients-in-tema-metropolitan-district-greater-accra-region-of-ghana >.
OSAGIE, IFEYINWA . "Implementation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Screening and Antiretroviral Therapy (Art) Among Tuberculosis (Tb) Clients in Tema Metropolitan District, Greater Accra Region of Ghana" Afribary (2021). Accessed September 20, 2024. https://tracking.afribary.com/works/implementation-of-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv-screening-and-antiretroviral-therapy-art-among-tuberculosis-tb-clients-in-tema-metropolitan-district-greater-accra-region-of-ghana