Perception of Patients and Clinicians on Integration of HIV and Non- Communicable Diseases Care

Abstract

The growing concerns over the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among individuals with HIV are widely documented. The management of patients with both NCDs and HIV is equally contested. Several studies show that nationwide and system-wide integration of HIV and NCDs care services would benefit patients. However, the effects of the HIV and NCDs care services integrations are unclear. The study therefore sought to achieve three main objectives. The study sought to determine the perceptions of patients and clinicians on the benefits of HIV and NCDs care services integrations. Secondly, the study explored whether HIV and NCDs care services integrations would cause barriers to quality access to HIV and NCDs health care. Third, the study identified the likelihood of patients’ and clinicians’ willingness to attend and work for HIV and NCDs co-existing HIV outpatient clinics. Applying a cross-sectional study design with a sample size of 480 participants, interviews were done using structured questionnaires. The study findings revealed that HIV and NCDs care services integrations improve quality of service, are cost-effective, cause crowding and workload, and enhance patients’ and clinicians’ willingness to attend the clinics. The study concluded that HIV and NCDs care services were much needed to ensure cost reduction, minimise travel from one clinic to the other and improve access to quality health care for those living with HIV and NCDs.