Assessing Access to Comprehensive HIV Treatment Services for Men Who Have Sex with Men and Female Sex Workers in the Bamenda Health District

Abstract

Having access to quality health and specifically access to comprehensive HIV treatment services is a human right for everyone irrespective of age, sex, gender and sexual orientation. The main objective of this research was to investigate the determinants of access to HIV treatment for Female Sex Workers and Men Having sex with Men in the Bamenda Health district. Specifically, the study aimed at investigating the drivers of non-accessibility to HIV treatment services for Men having sex with Men and Female sex workers and also to scrutinize the drivers of non-accessibility to HIV treatment services for Men having sex with Men and Female sex workers in the Bamenda Health district. To assess treatment access, 20 and 25 questionnaires were administered to HIV positive FSW and MSM respectively. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square, Bivariate and Multivariate regressions. The descriptive analysis showed that 44.0% and 65% of MSM and FSW respectively have access to HIV treatment services. MSM and FSW with lower incomes face economic barriers though higher incomes at some point for the VIP FSW are instead a barrier to access CBOs for services. Another barrier to treatment is long distance to health facility for MSM as those who live further away are less likely to access HIV treatment services. Long waiting time at health facility was also found to be significant and hence a barrier to treatment access. None of the demographic factors were significant for FSW and MSM. Thus for access to be effective, actors should take these key issues into consideration.