Table 2 Facilitators and barriers to linkage in care by levels
Level | Categories | Themes/Factors |
|---|---|---|
Individual | Facilitators | Individuals being sick at the time of diagnosis |
Individuals disclosing their status to someone | ||
Social and moral support from family members/relatives and from other PLHIV | ||
Barriers | Fear of stigma | |
Denial and being asymptomatic | ||
Poor health literacy | ||
Lack or fear of disclosure | ||
Belief in witchcraft and traditional treatment | ||
Spiritual beliefs | ||
Health Care Provider | Facilitators | Support or encouragement from health care providers |
Good patient-healthcare provider relationship | ||
Barriers | Negative attitude from healthcare provider | |
Health System | Facilitators | Availability of referral procedures i.e. referral letter/Referral form |
Good service organization | ||
Barriers | Poor clinic procedures and visit schedules | |
Clinic over-crowding | ||
Long waiting times at the clinic | ||
Few care and treatment centers and inadequate resources | ||
Shortage of staff | ||
Inadequate CD4 testing machines (malfunctioning) | ||
Contextual | Facilitators | Short distance Less costs to clinic |
Barriers | Long distance high transport cost |