Abstract:
BACKGROUNDTo attain long-term health, people living with HIV/AIDS need effective, trustworthy, prompt, and consistent access to HIV care and support services.However, recent reports in Baringo County, showthat many patients under care are defaulting to treatment for unknown reasons.This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the uptake and retention of HIV care services. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was conducted atcomprehensive care centresin Baringo County. An analytic cross-sectional study designwas used to examine the factors influencing the uptake of HIV/AIDS care and support services in HIV-infected adults. A total of 580 study participants were enrolled into the study. We used an interviewer-administered questionnaire to collectthedata. Quantitative data was analyzed in SPSS version 27. Inferential statistics (Univariate and bivariate)analyseswere conducted ata p<0.05 significance level. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed thematically.RESULTSThe age of participants ranged from 18 to 84 years,with a Mean age ± SD (Range) in yearsof41.4 ± 15.0. The Uptake level was 50.7%. Factors enhancing uptake included higher than primary level education (OR:1.7), CD4<500/μL(p <0.03), partneror spouse support (39.1%), incentives (45.7%),and lower monthly income less than Ksh 10,000(p < 0.0001).Factors that negatively impacted uptake were lack of knowledge of available services (p<0.001), a long distance from treatment facilities (p < 0.0001), high travellingcosts (72.3%), feeling ashamed of attending clinic (p< 0.0001), residing in rural areas (p <0.001), and provider notbeingavailable, especiallyonweekends and holidays (43.7%).CONCLUSIONSThe data presented here suggests that education above theprimary level, low CD4 counts, a supportive spouse,incentives,and lower monthly income enhance the uptake of HIV care services. A lack of knowledge about available services, long distancesfrom treatment facilities, high travelcosts,thestigma of clinic attendance, residing in rural areas,and the unavailability of treatment providers reduced the uptake ofHIV care and support services in Baringo County.
