Browsing by Author "Atwijukiire, Humphrey"

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    Enrollment and Retention of Female Sex Workers in HIV Care in Health Facilities in Mbarara City.
    (Kabale University, 2024) Arinaitwe, Bridget; Ariho, Philbert; Naturinda, Christine Hilda; Byoleko, Brian; Base, Anitah; Atwijukiire, Humphrey; Matavu, Hariat; Kabami, Jane; Obua, Celestine; Wakida, Edith K.; Otwine, Anne
    Background: Sex work is a global driver of the HIV epidemic, and the risk of acquiring HIV is 13 times higher for female sex workers (FSWs) compared to the general population. The enrollment and retention of FSWs in HIV care is a challenge and has been a major contributing factor to increased new HIV infections. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study among 30 FSWs and 21 healthcare workers (HCWs) working in antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics at the selected three primary health facilities in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda. The study participants were enrolled by both purposive and snowball sampling techniques. We obtained informed consent from all the participants, and data were collected using in-depth interviews and thematically analyzed. Results: Three themes emerged as facilitators toward enrollment and retention of FSWs into HIV care, namely, (1) good health living, (2) receptive HCWs and availability of health services, and (3) community outreach services and peer support. The barriers are summarized into four major themes: (1) stigma, community discrimination, and beliefs; (2) social obstacles; (3) adverse effects of ART; and (4) inadequate services at the health facilities. Conclusion: FSWs are challenged by unsupportive environments and communities where they live and work, which hinders their enrollment and retention in HIV care. Creating awareness of the utilization of HIV care services and extending such services to hotspot communities could enhance the response of HIV-positive FSWs to ART.
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    Experiences of HIV Positive Serostatus Disclosure to Sexual Partner Among Individuals in Discordant Couples in Mbarara City, Southwestern Uganda.
    (Kabale University, 2024) Atwijukiire, Humphrey; Nakidd, Gladys; Tweheyo, Otwine Anne; Kabami, Jane
    Purpose: Disclosure of HIV status is key in HIV management. Despite many studies on serostatus disclosure, there is a gap in experiences regarding HIV status disclosure among discordant couples. The current study addressed this research gap and explored the lived experiences of serostatus disclosure among discordant couples in Mbarara City, South Western Uganda. Participants and Methods: We conducted 12 in-depth interviews with the help of a translated interview guide, and they were audio recorded. Participants were purposively enrolled in the study, which employed a phenomenological qualitative design. The study was conducted at three public health facilities in Mbarara City. The data was analyzed using thematic content analysis. Approval for this research was obtained from the Mbarara University Research Ethics Committee (MUST-REC) and administrative clearance from the city clerk of Mbarara City. Results: The mean age of the participants was 38 years old, ranging from 20 to 67 years. An equal number of males (six) and females participated in this study. Most of them had at least secondary level education, and only three had primary education. Half of the participants disclosed their serostatus to partners immediately after testing HIV positive. Key emerging themes as experienced benefits of HIV serostatus disclosure included: 1) social support and care; 2) decisions regarding health, fertility, and childbearing; 3) sharing information on HIV prevention and protection measures; 4) positive living; and 5) ease of HIV serostatus disclosure. The challenges associated with serostatus disclosure were summarized as one theme: misunderstandings in the families of the discordant couples. Conclusion: Socially, psychologically, and financially HIV positive individuals have benefited from their negative partners. Healthwise, they have been supported and cared for after disclosing their positive status, but some have faced challenges, such as family misunderstandings. Couple HIV counseling and testing by a trained health worker is beneficial in HIV care and could mitigate the challenges related to HIV serostatus disclosure.