This study aims to examine health seeking behavior and HIV treatment experiences among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Yangon, Myanmar. To investigate health seeking behavior, faceto-face structure interview was conducted among 246 participants, recruited from the selected 4 self-health groups (SHG) in Yangon. In-depth interview was conducted among 10 PLHIV to explore experiences regarding HIV treatment. Majority of our participants (62%) in the structured interview were key populations with the mean duration of HIV diagnosis of 8.5 years. We found that International nongovernmental organization (INGO)/nongovernmental organization (NGO) clinics were the main sources for diagnosis (73.2%). Similarly, INGO/NGO clinics were mentioned as the first treatment facility by most participants (85.0%), followed by public facilities (10.2%). Status of key population, education, place of diagnosis, duration of HIV infected, and person who motivated for seeking treatment influenced preferences for first treatment facility. Main reasons for seeking care at the treatment facility were confidentiality, suggested from others, and comfort and warm service. About 65% and 35% mentioned that their current treatment facilities were INGO/NGO clinic, and public facilities, respectively. Place of first treatment facility was the important factor predicting preference for current treatment facility. Stigma and discrimination as well as feeling inconveniences during treatment services were identified. Positive experiences at INGO/NGO was mentioned.

This study aims to determine economic burden or cost of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its consequences from patient perspective and to examine factors influencing the cost. This is a prevalence-based cost-of-illness (COI) study. A crosssectional survey was carried out in Yangon, Myanmar during March and April 2018.Face-to-face structured interview was conducted among 264 people living with HIV (PLHIV) who were members of the selected four self-help groups (SHGs) that provided HIV peer support. Micro-costing approach was adopted for the cost calculation. Direct medical cost, direct non-medical cost and indirect cost were considered.