Willingness by people living with HIV/AIDS to utilize HIV services provided  by Village Health team workers in Kalungu district, central Uganda.

Mutaawe Lubogo, Ronald Anguzu, Humphrey Wanzira, Irene Namugwanya, Oliver Namuddu1, Denis Ssali
, Sylivia Nanyonga, Josephine Ssentongo, Janet Seeley.

1. District Health Team, Kalungu District Local Government
2. Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH)
3. Ministry of Health, Uganda (MoH)
4. Medical Research Council / Uganda Virus Research Institute (MRC/UVRI), Uganda
5. El-Channun Community Health Initiatives, Uganda (ELCOHIN)

Abstract
Background:Less than one quarter of people in need have access to HIV services in Uganda. This study assessed willingness of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) to utilize HIV services provided by Village Health Teams (VHTs) in Kalungu district, central Uganda.

Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted in two health facilities providing anti-retroviral therapy enrolled 312 PLWHAs. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires were administered to participants at household level. A forward fitting logistic regression model computed the predictors of willingness of PLWHAs to utilize services provided by VHTs.

Results:Overall, 49% were willing to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs increasing to 75.6% if the VHT member was HIV positive. PLWHAs who resided in urban areas were more likely to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs (AOR 0.24, 95%CI 0.06-0.87). Barriers to utilizing HIV services provided by VHTs were: income level > 40 USD (AOR 6.43 95%CI 1.19-34.68), being a business person (AOR 8.71 95%CI 1.23-61.72), peasant (AOR 7.95 95%CI 1.37-46.19), lack of encouragement from: peers (AOR 6.33 95%CI 1.43-28.09), spouses (AOR 4.93 95%CI 1.23-19.82) and community leader (AOR 9.67 95%CI 3.35-27.92).

Conclusion:Social support could improve willingness by PLWHAs to utilize HIV services provided by VHTs for increased access to HIV services by PLWHA.

Keywords:Willingness by people living with HIV/AIDS to utilize HIV services provided by Village Health Team workers in Kalungu district, central Uganda