FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO POOR HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIORS AMONG HIV ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING ART CLINIC AT KALAGALA HEALTH CENTRE IV, LUWERO DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the study: was to find out individual, community, and health facility-related factors contributing to poor health-seeking behaviors among HIV adolescents attending the ART clinic at Kalagala Health Centre IV, Luwero district. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design using a simple random sampling technique sampled 50 respondents. A questionnaire with open and ended questions written in English language was used as the data collection tool and data was analyzed manually by use of tally sheets and presented in tables and figures by support of narratives. Findings: The majority of the respondents were 18-19 years old (46%), female (60%), and in secondary school (52%). Many (92%) perceived ART as very important, (58%) had ever been exposed to drug adverse effects, and (38%) missed prescribed ART medications ART due to forgetfulness. Respondents (48%) affirmed that their parents don’t usually support them in taking medication, (48%) noted that community members were unfriendly towards HIV-positive adolescents, and (82%) were day scholars. When it came to the health facilities (60%) of the respondents noted the waiting time was quite long, (64%) reported that the attitudes of health workers were fair, (70%) agreed that they received adequate counseling services in regards to timely ART, (56%) reported a very far distance from their homes to the health facility. Conclusion: Exposure to drug adverse effects missed prescribed medications due to forgetfulness, unsupportive parents/caretakers, unpleasant perceptions of community members towards HIV-positive adolescents, tight school programs, long waiting times, spiteful attitudes of health workers, and distances from homes to health facilities were the foremost factors contributing to poor health-seeking behaviors among adolescents on ART. Recommendation: Kalagala Health Center IV administration should build a good client-based relationship with adolescents so that they can freely express themselves and develop their preferred mode for accessing timely ART.