FACTORS FOR DELAY IN REGISTRATION AT ART CENTRE UNDER NACO PROGRAMME AT GANDHI HOSPITAL, SECUNDERABAD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: People Living with HIV (PLHIV) after detection of HIV positivity at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) are referred to the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) center for registration and Treatment services. However, significant numbers of patients are not registering at ART in time. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reasons for delay in registering at ART after confirming HIV +ve at ICTC. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive new PLHIV registrations at ART center of this institution from 1 st May to 30 th Nov 2011 were included. Date of confirmation as HIV +ve at ICTC & date of registration at ART are recorded. Reasons for delay of more than 5 days for registration are collected through structured questionnaire by a single medical officer and analyzed. RESULTS: Of 500 new registrations at ART at this institution, 220 are from ICTC of this institution & 280 are from other ICTC centers. Out of 500 patients, 184 patients reported on the same day, 40 patients within 5 days and 276 patients beyond 5 days after confirmation at ICTC. The reasons for delay in reporting beyond 5 days are: Lack of motivation 123 (44.57%), Specific obstacles 92(33.33%) and Lack of awareness 61 (22.10%). CONCLUSIONS: On analysis of the factors for delaying registration, in Indian scenario, no single intervention will be able to address all the factors. A combination of interventions by all the stake holders including Out Reach Workers, Nurses, NGO's, General Physicians, play a key role in retention & effective treatment for PLHIV.