Overcoming Barriers to Access: Experiences from the Call to Action Uganda Pro...
Providing HIV Care & Treatment Services for Women & Families
1. PROVIDING HIV CARE & TREATMENT SERVICES FOR WOMEN & FAMILIES Stephen Lee Sr. Program Director, Prevention, Care & Treatment Services Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Results In the 10 months after implementation, ART initiation of eligible pregnant women increased by 5 times, rising to 28% (106/386) (figure 2). Prior to integration of services, only 5% (20/392) initiated ART. 25 family units were enrolled in the ART clinic, illustrating this model’s potential to promote family centered care. Overall, 275 patients initiated ART in the post-integration period, of which 106 (39%) were pregnant women. The proportion of other clients continued to increase in the second half of the post integration period. Challenges Not all HIV positive women return for CD4 count results. Lack of readiness by non-symptomatic, eligible women to initiate HAART. Difficulty of disclosure to partners/spouses. Increasing numbers of non-pregnant patients accessing ART services (due to lack of additional ART services at KSII PHU) is straining the capacity of the MCH clinic .