Perceived factors associated with LTFU from Art Program among adults living with HIV in Vhembe District, South Africa

Abstract

Losses to follow-up have emerged as a legitimate threat to the long-term success of the Anti-Retroviral therapy program. The success of Anti-Retroviral therapy program is monitored through retention in care and viral load suppression. This study describes perceived factors associated with loss to follow-up. A quantitative approach, cross sectional survey design study was conducted guided by the Health Belief Model. Permission to conduct the study was sort from the relevant authorities prior conducting the study and informed consent obtained from respondents who voluntarily participated. Respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique from seven primary health care facilities in Sibasa, Limpopo. An adapted questionnaire developed to measure constructs of the Health Belief Model was self-administered to measure perceived susceptibility and severity to complications of HIV disease and perceived benefits and barriers to attending HIV clinic. Reliability and validity of the questionnaire was evaluated during pretesting of the questionnaire to check if the questionnaire was measuring what it was intended to measure and if it was able to yield the same results in more than one occasion. The internal consistency of the instrument was measured using the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient. The instrument showed greater internal consistency. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data. The analysis was performed using SPSS VERSION 28. Results were presented in the form of frequency tables, bar charts, and tables. Results: 376 respondents participated in the study. Descriptive statistics revealed low perception of susceptibility to complications of HIV infection, somewhat closeness between the agree and disagree to perceived severity towards the complications of HIV infections, high perceived benefits and low perceived barriers regarding attendance and adherence to HIV treatment. Perceived motivation towards improvement of the general health status and proper lifestyle modification was high. Conclusion: The study revealed that low perceived susceptibility to complications of HIV infection and low perceived severity to complications of HIV were factors associated with LTFU from ART program. It is recommended that health education be strengthened about complications which may arise due to lowered immune system.