Geographical Distribution of HIV-patients with Respect to HIV-treatment Units in Cameroon: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

The treatment of HIV-patients is a key component to HIV/aids control strategies. Since 2007, Cameroon is treating HIV-patients for free within decentralized treatment units created in functional health districts. This study aimed to map the geographical distribution of HIV-patients with respect to that of treatment units in Cameroon. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which functional health districts with HIV-treatment units were exhaustively sampled to map the local access to antiretroviral care in the Cameroon West region. Patients from these units were randomly selected and recruited during their monthly period of receiving antiretroviral drugs. Four hundred and seventy-two patients were included. The mean age of participants was 42 (± 10) years with a sex ratio male/female of 1/3. Fourteen units were distributed in 09 health districts (45% coverage) and 11/20 districts had no Treatment unit. Sixty two percent (294/472) of participants resided in the health district of their screening and 65% (308/472) were follow up in the health district of residence. Nine of ten patients resided in their treatment health region. Less than 10% of patients travel from health districts with no HIV-treatment unit. Close to 1/5 (74/382) patient migrated from local health district with treatment unit to another local health district for follow up. Second line treatment was not available except in one public and one private treatment unit. The distribution of HIV-treatment units is strongly linked to the geographical distribution of HIV-patients across health districts. We therefore believe that the creation of treatment units in health districts still lacking them can significantly increase screening and treatment of patients in this region.