Barriers to HIV/AIDS Treatment in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: With the exception of South Africa and India, the number people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLWHA) in Nigeria exceeds that of any other country in the World. Access to HIV/AIDS treatment services remains a challenge as only 6% of PLWHAs have accessed the services. This stands in the way of achieving the National HIV/AIDS policy as well as the global goal of placing 15 million PLWHAs on treatment and care by the end of the year 2015. In order to achieve these goals, there is need to know the barriers (through systematic literature review) that prevent access to HIV/AIDS treatment especially in the developing world of sub-Saharan Africa (of which Nigeria is among) that houses 70% of global HIV/AIDS burden. When these barriers are known, strategies would then be adopted to remove them so as to improve the treatment coverage. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Twenty studies looking at issues surrounding barriers preventing access to HIV/AIDS treatment and support services in Nigeria and other developing countries were reviewed in order to identify key issues or barriers militating against the smooth delivery of HIV/AIDS treatment services and recommend strategies for removing them in order to achieve the much desired universal access to HIV treatment. Results: Suggest that the barriers to HIV/AIDS treatment in the developing world are grouped into three categories namely health systems related, patients related and community related. Conclusion: Sequel to the literature review findings, stakeholders must come together and agree on a sustainable and community driven approach to HIV/AIDS treatment in Nigeria.

A review of current trends in HIV epidemiology, surveillance, and control in Nigeria

“…Efforts by donors have increased the roll-out of antiretrovirals to various treatment facilities, thereby seeing an increase in national viral suppression rates to 42.3% across the country, yet gaps in knowledge, service delivery, and transportation continue to dissuade people living with HIV from accessing antiretroviral treatment 35 . ART continues the HIV response by including care and support to ensure proper treatment adherence.…”

Cluster Analysis of HIV/AIDs Incidence in Sub-Saharan Africa (1990 – 2018)

“…These patients face discrimination, stigma, and low acceptance in their respective communities (21,22). In these parts of the world, HIV containment is hampered by inadequate health infrastructure (23). In Sub-Saharan Africa, public discussion of sex-related issues limits the dissemination of HIV information, particularly from teachers to their students.…”

Barriers to Accessing Antiretroviral Treatment Among Key Populations in Southwest Nigeria

“…Various studies have identified and characterized a range of barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS treatment services for PLHIV in Nigeria, including KP [ 10 - 13 ]. Abubakar Saleh categorized these barriers to ART treatment into three main groups: health system-related, patient-related, and community-related barriers [ 13 ].…”

“…Various studies have identified and characterized a range of barriers to accessing HIV/AIDS treatment services for PLHIV in Nigeria, including KP [ 10 - 13 ]. Abubakar Saleh categorized these barriers to ART treatment into three main groups: health system-related, patient-related, and community-related barriers [ 13 ]. Health system-related barriers include poor treatment literacy, long waiting times, inadequate health infrastructure, limited availability of ART medications, and the facility not implementing person-centred or integrated approach [ 8 , 9 ].…”