Factors Influencing Late Presentation for HIV Care Among HIV Positive Clients Attending Komamboga Health Center III Kawempe Division Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract

Background: Late presentation remains a concern despite of the availability of free ART that improves HIV positive individual’s health. The purpose of the study was to assess the potential factors associated with late presentation to HIV/AIDS care. The specific objectives were to determine the proportion of late presentation, the social-demographic and Health facility factors associated with late presentation and the reasons for late presentation. Objective of the study: To assess the potential factors influencing late presentation among HIV positive individuals at Komamboga Health Center III Kampala, Uganda. Methods: A Retrospective Study was conducted at Komamboga Health Center III Kawempe Division in Kampala District, Uganda on HIV positive patients who enrolled into care from January 2012 up to 30th July 2015. The study had a sample of 272 participants. Results: The proportion of late presentation was revealed as 22.3%. However, 17.6% were found to be late presenters with HIV positive diagnosis prior to enrollment for care while 82.4% late presenters were newly HIV diagnosed at the point of enrollment. The major reasons that caused the late presentation were: feeling well before (51.8%) or after (54.3%) HIV positive test, having tested HIV negative in a point in life (31%) and failure to disclose to the partner after HIV positive result 16.7%.Age was found to be a major factor in both late and early presentation while marital status and gender had minimal impact on either late or early presentation. Conclusion: There are various reasons late presenters for HIV care provide. However, the most frequent ones are feeling well before or after HIV test, having tested HIV negative at a point in life and fear to disclosure to partner.