Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng; Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

Published in International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Received: 9 August 2022 Accepted: 5 September 2022 Published: 18 October 2022

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Abstract

Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.

Published in	International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
Page(s)	55-60
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Barriers, Implementation, Universal Test and Treat, HIV/AIDS, Cameroon

References

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[14]	Blas MM, Alva IE, Cabello R, Carcamo C, Kurth AE. Risk behaviors and reasons for not getting tested for HIV among men who have sex with men: an online survey in Peru. PLoS One. 2011; 6 (11): 27334-2738.
[15]	Meka AF, Billong SC, Diallo I, Tiemtore OW, Bongwong B, Nguefack-Tsague G. Challenges and barriers to HIV service uptake and delivery along the HIV care cascade in Cameroon. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2020; 36 (3): 231-238.
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APA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. (2022). Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(2), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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ACS Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(2), 55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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AMA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(2):55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12,
  author = {Kah Emmanuel Nji and Vincent Verla Siysi and Nsagha Dickson Shey and Che Frankline Anyiang and Serge Ngekeng and Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin},
  title = {Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {55-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study
AU - Kah Emmanuel Nji
AU - Vincent Verla Siysi
AU - Nsagha Dickson Shey
AU - Che Frankline Anyiang
AU - Serge Ngekeng
AU - Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin
Y1 - 2022/10/18
PY - 2022
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
DO - 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
T2 - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JF - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
JO - International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science
SP - 55
EP - 60
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-5765
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12
AB - Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.
VL - 8
IS - 2
ER -

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Author Information

Kah Emmanuel Nji

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Vincent Verla Siysi

Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Nsagha Dickson Shey

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Che Frankline Anyiang

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Serge Ngekeng

Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin

Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon

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APA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. (2022). Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science, 8(2), 55-60. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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ACS Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji; Vincent Verla Siysi; Nsagha Dickson Shey; Che Frankline Anyiang; Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int. J. HIV/AIDS Prev. Educ. Behav. Sci. 2022, 8(2), 55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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AMA Style

Kah Emmanuel Nji, Vincent Verla Siysi, Nsagha Dickson Shey, Che Frankline Anyiang, Serge Ngekeng, et al. Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study. Int J HIV/AIDS Prev Educ Behav Sci. 2022;8(2):55-60. doi: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12,
  author = {Kah Emmanuel Nji and Vincent Verla Siysi and Nsagha Dickson Shey and Che Frankline Anyiang and Serge Ngekeng and Ngowe Ngowe Marcelin},
  title = {Barriers Associated with the Effective Implementation of the Universal Test and Treat Strategy of HIV/AIDS in Fako Division of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study},
  journal = {International Journal of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Education and Behavioural Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {55-60},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijhpebs.20220802.12},
  abstract = {Introduction: Universal test and treat strategy of HIV/AIDS was introduced by The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2014. This was to scale up the attainment of the 90-90-90 target. This strategy only took effect in Cameroon in 2016. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify barriers that hinder the effective uptake of this approach following two years of implementation. Materials and methods: This was a qualitative study where 8 focus group discussions were conducted among community members and 25 in-depth interviews among HIV patients, clinicians and coordinators of HIV/AIDS treatment centers. The study was carried out in 8 randomly selected communities within the 4 health districts of Fako division of Cameroon. Data was collected on demographic characteristics and barriers that hinder the effective implementation of test and treat strategy. The data was analyzed using Nvivo 11. Results: The identified barriers were grouped into 2 themes. Health service related barriers and client/community related barriers: Health service related barriers were: Frequent drugs stockout, unavailability of HIV test kids, lack of work space to provide services to client, lack of confidentially among health workers, limited number of psychosocial counselors and poor attitude of health workers. Client/community related barriers were; Fear of positive results, long waiting time and long distant to the HIV/AIDS treatment centers. Conclusion: In order to achieve the 90-90-90- target, the community and hospital related barriers to test and treat strategy need to be addressed by improving the services rendered and also to scale up sensitization on the importance of HIV testing and treatment.},
 year = {2022}
}

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