Socio-Cultural and Economic Factors that Influence Access and Utilization of Anti-retro-viral Drugs among People Living with HIV/AIDs in Uasin Gishu District

Dr. Githae N.M.

Abstract: Access to antiretroviral treatment and other HIV-related disease care, in Kenya and Uasin Gishu District, remains low. Uasin Gishu district, where the study was conducted had HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 12 % as at 2002 with a ratio of 11 for both male and female. Although ARV has been shown to prolong the lives of PLWHAs, its accessibility by PLWHAs in Uasin Gishu district is low. This study was designed to identify socio-cultural and economic factors that hinder access of ARV therapy. Results will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders for enhancement of the programmes. This was a descriptive study applied quantitative and qualitative methods. Probability sampling technique was used to select a sample of 159 PLWHAs. They were interviewed through exit interviews questionnaires. Five Focus group discussions were held of PLWHAs, Key Informant interviews of key players in the programme and direct observation at the service delivery points were undertaken. The study findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between age, marital status, ethnicity and religion of PLWHAs in accessing and utilization of ARV drugs, with p-values < 0.05. In addition, there is a significant relationship between main occupations and current engagement of PLWHAs and accessing and utilizing antiretroviral drugs, p-value

Keywords: Access and Utilization, Antiretroviral drugs ARV, People living with HIV/AIDS PLWHAs, Demographic, Socio-cultural and Economic