卫生保健与预防杂志

抽象的

Factors affecting hiv services utilization in a tertiary hospital in manila

Jackeline clemena-aborde

Aim: This study determined the significant psychological and structural factors affecting the utilization of HIV services among patients ages 20-49 years old in Seamen’s Hospital Manila. Methods: Factors were determined using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA Statistical Software, Version 13, College Station, TX: StataCorp LP. A p-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Several factors were identified as significantly affecting their decision to seek for HIV care: Among the younger population (20-24 years old): “do not know where to go for an HIV test”, “afraid of my privacy/anonymity” and “not sexually active”. Among the older population (35-49 years old): “long queue in the health facility”. Among the males, the following factors were noted:“have been tested in another facility” and “health facility opening hours”. Among the females, the following were significant: “not sexually active”. Among those who have already utilized the hospital’s HIV services: “have been tested in another facility”. To those who haven’t utilized the hospital’s HIV services: “afraid of my privacy/ anonymity”, “getting tested means sexual promiscuity”, “lack of awareness of available services in the hospital” and “too far to travel”. Overall, the most frequent factors that the participants chose were the following: “have a faithful relationship”, “trust in partner”, “taking precautions”, “have not done anything risky”, “have been tested in another facility”, “fear of having a positive result, “not sexually active”, “annoying to return for results”, “long queue in the health facility” and “too far to travel”. Conclusion: Psychological factors noted are those that are related to stigma that comes with HIV. It also includes personal reasons such as one’s exposure to sex, or trust in one’s partner. A way to address this is by teaching and educating. Structural factors need to be addressed through improvement in the hospital’s delivery of services.