Table 3 Summary of barriers, motivators and recommendations about accessing HIV prevention and care for children

Individual*

• Seeking alternative care for illness

• Health facility is the appropriate place to receive care

• Provide more information and awareness in the community about HIV

• Disbelief in HIV test results (mom and/or infant)

• Hope for future of the child

• Lack of motivation to attend facility care

• Having symptoms (visible illness)

• Fatalistic beliefs about HIV/AIDS

Interpersonal

• Lack of social support from partners and family

• Family being supportive regarding HIV care

• No specific recommendations were given by the participants on this level

• Fear of disclosure to partners

• Family decision-maker in favor of care at the health facility

• Generation conflict (Southern region)

Institutional

• Long waiting times for services (patient flow)

• No specific motivators were mentioned by the participants on this level

• Improvements to patient flow

• Distance to health facility

• Organizing outreach clinics and home-based care for HIV counseling, testing, and follow-up

• Including messages of hope in education to the community

• Money for transport to health facility

Community

• Lack of social support from community

• Social support from community members

• Support by community members (for example home visits, awareness session given by members)

• Fear of disclosure to those in the community

• Support by community in referring to health facilities (for example active referral by leaders)

• Community support groups with refreshments provided

• Financial incentives for counselors of the support groups

Policy

Non-integrated services

• Services free of charge

• Integrate nutritional support services with HIV services